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2004 Top 100 Northwest Washington private companies
Region shows many strong local companies bolster economy
by Matt Bucher

The economic impact of small business in our region has been qualified many times, but never quantified, until now. In the next few pages, we bring you Northwest Business Monthly Magazine’s Northwest Private 100, the only list of the top private companies in our region. We define our region as Whatcom, Skagit, Island and San Juan counties. We must also make a distinction. We’re talking about local, private companies, not multinational companies with corporate offices in New York or California. All the companies on our Private 100 list call our region home. None of them are publicly owned and all of them are for profit enterprises.
The threshold for making the top 100 in our region this year was approximately $11 million in sales. Most of the sales figures were confirmed, but an asterisk is included next to those who we at Northwest Business Monthly believe meet the criteria for the list, but for one reason or another, were unable to confirm the precise sales figure.
The economic impact of the Private 100 on our region and their contributions to their respective communities are easy to overlook, but hard to deny. Two very measurable numbers tell the tale of their impact: nearly $4 billion in accumulative sales and more than 15,000 employees and growing as of the end of 2004.
The point of undertaking this project is to acknowledge and honor everything these companies do to bolster the regional economy – from creating and sustaining living-wage jobs and giving back to community organizations through contributions and volunteer time, to adding to our government coffers through sales, payroll and other taxes and fees.

Inside the numbers
A closer look at the list shows a diverse spread of companies located throughout the region. Topping the list are the big-three grocers, Haggen, Inc. of Bellingham, with $761 million in sales and more than 850 employees in the region, 4300 total. Brown and Cole Foods of Bellingham with more than $250 million in sales and 634 regional employees as of the end of 2004. In early 2005, Brown and Cole announced they would be selling eight stores, which will likely have an impact on their ranking for 2005. And Saars, Inc of Oak Harbor, with $109 million and 100 local employees.
Just as grocers packed the top of the list, new and used car dealerships made their impact felt. Overall, 13 dealerships made the list, including four in the top 25 – No. 7 Frontier Ford, No. 8 Blade Chevy, No. 11 Dewey Griffin and No. 17 Jerry Chambers.
Together, car dealerships on the list employ nearly 900 full-time workers and have combined sales of more than $500 million.
Marine-related industries are well represented on our list as well. With many quality boat builders in our region, many of them in the growth mode, food processors and a boat towing company the marine industry is likely to make their presence felt for years to come.
Wood is also a big player with lumber mills, lumberyards and pallet manufacturers scoring well on the list. Because of record construction years in Island, Skagit San Juan and Whatcom counties in 2004, construction related business saw their sales spike dramatically.
While Bellingham-based Exxel was the top general contractor with more than $65 million in sales and 85 full-time employees, Burlington’s Hansell Mitzel’s jump to $24 million in sales was especially impressive. With growth estimated to increase, these companies expect sales and employee numbers to continue to grow as well.
Only a few of those highlighted on the Private 100 list are mentioned in this article. Please take time to peruse the list in its entirety and read the profiles of four business that bring flavor, ethical business practices and of course financial stability to the region: Snelson Companies, Foothills Toyota, Homestead NW Developing Company and Grizzly Industrial are all featured in this issue.
The Northwest Private 100 is the result of many months of research and cooperation by a number of companies. As in any endeavor, we expect there might be some companies that were missed or the estimates may be off.
If you know of a business that should have been included, and was not, or know of any inaccuracies, please contact the publisher of this magazine and we’ll make sure it is corrected.

2004 Top 100 Northwest Washington private companies Region shows many strong local companies bolster economy by Matt Bucher The economic impact of small business in our region has been qualified many times, but never quantified, until now. In the next few pages, we bring you Northwest Business Monthly Magazine’s Northwest Private 100, the only list of the top private companies in our region. We define our region as Whatcom, Skagit, Island and San Juan counties. We must also make a distinction. We’re talking about local, private companies, not multinational companies with corporate offices in New York or California. All the companies on our Private 100 list call our region home. None of them are publicly owned and all of them are for profit enterprises. The threshold for making the top 100 in our region this year was approximately $11 million in sales. Most of the sales figures were confirmed, but an asterisk is included next to those who we at Northwest Business Monthly believe meet the criteria for the list, but for one reason or another, were unable to confirm the precise sales figure. The economic impact of the Private 100 on our region and their contributions to their respective communities are easy to overlook, but hard to deny. Two very measurable numbers tell the tale of their impact: nearly $4 billion in accumulative sales and more than 15,000 employees and growing as of the end of 2004. The point of undertaking this project is to acknowledge and honor everything these companies do to bolster the regional economy – from creating and sustaining living-wage jobs and giving back to community organizations through contributions and volunteer time, to adding to our government coffers through sales, payroll and other taxes and fees. Inside the numbers A closer look at the list shows a diverse spread of companies located throughout the region. Topping the list are the big-three grocers, Haggen, Inc. of Bellingham, with $761 million in sales and more than 850 employees in the region, 4300 total. Brown and Cole Foods of Bellingham with more than $250 million in sales and 634 regional employees as of the end of 2004. In early 2005, Brown and Cole announced they would be selling eight stores, which will likely have an impact on their ranking for 2005. And Saars, Inc of Oak Harbor, with $109 million and 100 local employees. Just as grocers packed the top of the list, new and used car dealerships made their impact felt. Overall, 13 dealerships made the list, including four in the top 25 – No. 7 Frontier Ford, No. 8 Blade Chevy, No. 11 Dewey Griffin and No. 17 Jerry Chambers. Together, car dealerships on the list employ nearly 900 full-time workers and have combined sales of more than $500 million. Marine-related industries are well represented on our list as well. With many quality boat builders in our region, many of them in the growth mode, food processors and a boat towing company the marine industry is likely to make their presence felt for years to come. Wood is also a big player with lumber mills, lumberyards and pallet manufacturers scoring well on the list. Because of record construction years in Island, Skagit San Juan and Whatcom counties in 2004, construction related business saw their sales spike dramatically. While Bellingham-based Exxel was the top general contractor with more than $65 million in sales and 85 full-time employees, Burlington’s Hansell Mitzel’s jump to $24 million in sales was especially impressive. With growth estimated to increase, these companies expect sales and employee numbers to continue to grow as well. Only a few of those highlighted on the Private 100 list are mentioned in this article. Please take time to peruse the list in its entirety and read the profiles of four business that bring flavor, ethical business practices and of course financial stability to the region: Snelson Companies, Foothills Toyota, Homestead NW Developing Company and Grizzly Industrial are all featured in this issue. The Northwest Private 100 is the result of many months of research and cooperation by a number of companies. As in any endeavor, we expect there might be some companies that were missed or the estimates may be off. If you know of a business that should have been included, and was not, or know of any inaccuracies, please contact the publisher of this magazine and we’ll make sure it is corrected.
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