Class Of '81: Off The Pace But In The Pack

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Led by A-America, a Seattle furniture wholesaler, 65 of the 1981 INC. Private 100 companies earned rankings among this year's expanded Private 500 roster (see Footnote 1, main tables, page 39). Of the 65, however, only 25 remain among the 100 front-runners.

What about the 35 1981 INC. Private 100 companies that didn't make the 1982 list? Thirteen of them closed 1981 with sales decreases, thus failing to qualify. The declines ranged from a mere 1% logged by Trend Group, a Pennsylvania-based equipment lessor (#41 in '81), to precipitous drops of more than 50% registered by at least four other companies.

Three other 1981 Private 100 companies grew in the 1977-81 base period but missed the +235% cutoff point of this year's top 500. They include Progressive Graphics (+214%), Wren Associates (+194%), and Ameriean Awning & Patio (+192%).

Four businesses were disqualified for reasons other than sales performance. As predicted in the December 1981 issue, two have sold out (Charles Schwab and Associated Druggists), one has gone public (Godfather's Pizza), and one has plunged into bankruptcy (Wayne H. Coloney).

The performances of the remaining 15 companies could not be charted. Exercising the unique right of closely held companies, principals in each case declined to disclose information for reasons ranging from changes in management to changes of heart.