Fastest Growing Companies Reflect a Trend: Technology and Fertilizer?
By Benjamin Blascoe
Today CNN.com posted the 2009 list of the top 100 fastest growing companies in the world. In the past many greats have made the list, typically including a vast array of different markets and products reflecting the trends of the consumer-manufacturer relationship. However, this year list seems to be a bit homogenous in the top quarter and offers some new and interesting statistics for companies –most of which are not American companies.
Some of the results are not surprising as technology companies grace the top 5. In today’s world almost everything is centered on technology – from the “chip” manufacturer to the service provider. However, what is unique about this year’s list is the types of technology. For example, cellular designer and wireless communications company Research in Motion (RIM) is considered the fastest growing company in the world. Not surprising either considering that their product the Blackberry Curve is one of the top grossing products of this year. However, these findings are strange because you would think that the designer would easily be trumped by the manufacturer but the numbers prove differently. RIM also boast countless other products, each one of them being some how related to different popular wireless service mechanisms.
Also gracing the list are copious amounts of Chinese internet and online-gaming companies. Such companies as Sohu.com, which own a popular search engine and Changyou gaming site, is indispensable to the daily life of millions of Chinese, providing a network of web properties and community based/web 2.0 products which offer a broad array of choices regarding information, entertainment and communication. As China’s economy continues to boom, this company and many others are only expected to rise. Another Chinese cash-cow is Shanda Interactive Entertainment. Since its launch in 1999, Shanda Interactive Entertainment reportedly has 460 million registered accounts.
Strangely enough, there are also two Fertilizer companies gracing the top 10. As natural gas prices drop, so did the production cost for making nitrogen fertilizers. Two companies in particular cashed in on this fortunate price reduction and have grown their company exponentially. CF Industries Holdings and Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, both yield roughly 40% growth since last year. Even though these companies are utilizing a different niche in the market, it is still a bit surprising to see energy companies gracing the top 10 in this day and age.
I recommend reviewing the top 100 and joining the discussion! How do you feel the market is changing?
