In its September edition, Saskatchewan Business Magazine recognized the province's Top 100 companies of 2011. Four businesses from the region were on the list.
The October issue of the magazine published an article with a second set of Top 100 companies in Saskatchewan.
Four businesses with links to this region are again on that list.
September's article focused on businesses with a fairly extensive corporate reach that would be recognized in the financial centres of Toronto and New York.
In October's article, again written by Paul Martin, the sequel list is made up of smaller Saskatchewan firms with lower profiles, but ones that he says play a role on the global scene as well. In his introduction, Martin points out that the 100 in the first list may not have attained their status were it not for some of the "smaller, local suppliers who support their day-to-day efforts."
In first position on that list (but down from No. 97 on the Top 100 in 2010) is Ag World Equipment of Kinistino. Ag World is a provider of farming equipment whose main line is AGCO products. The company sells new and used equipment, parts, and provides service and repairs.
Established in 1995, Ag World Equipment is a family-run business that employs 45 people. It is owned and run by David Cook, general manager, and his cousin, Ian Thorson, who runs the New Sales department.
Cook prides the company for its integrity and a "do-what-we-say" policy that he feels account for its success among the loyal customers in the region.
New to the Top 100 companies sequel list this year, and in 13th position, is Advantage Credit Union. The company that started 26 years ago with its first branch in Melfort now comprises 17 branches in the region, from Watson to Prince Albert, and employs 170 staff. The company's CEO is Jim Thiessen.
Vice-president Laurie Kennedy believes the credit union's success is due to the complete financial banking services it offers. Advantage also provides insurance services for SGI as well as its own general insurance policies.
In the No. 14 spot (down from No. 5) and third of the four in the region is Hodgins Auctioneers, also based in Melfort. The company was started in 1957 by the Hodgins family, and general manager Grant Hodgins now operates the company with president Barrie Jung.
With the equivalent of 20 full-time and numerous occasional and part-time staff, Hodgins Auctioneers have moved into the technological era by providing their customers with both live and online auctions. They specialize in agriculture, real estate and industrial auctions and cater to a lot of long-standing customers in the region.
In 23rd position (up from No. 30) is the locally owned franchise, South 20 Dodge Chrysler Ltd., the only company of the four located in Humboldt. General manager Steve Slipetz and RV manager Garret Porten, own the majority of the franchise along with Chad Ellison, sales manager, and Russell Gehlen, service manager.
Along with clinching a spot on the Top 100 Sequel list, this year will be a special year for the company that is celebrating 25 years in business. Slipetz believes that the developing community in and around Humboldt has played a role in helping the company's growth in sales, as has a great staff of 30 employees and great customers.
"We'll be having special events every month," Slipetz said, "and there will be a grand opening of our new service building currently under construction."
South 20 Dodge Chryler Ltd. is adhering to the advice Martin offers companies in his article, which is scalability, or finding a secret sauce that allows it to grow and successfully take its offering to other jurisdictions.
Both Top 100 lists are formulated from figures submitted by the companies to Sask. Business Magazine. Martin points out that when companies move up or down the list with regard to their position of the previous year, it is often an indicator of the way a particular market segment is performing.
