SA’s top 100 companies in 2022: The final 25 and award winners
Today we reveal the top 25 companies in InDaily’s South Australian Business Index – our annual review of the top private and public companies in the state – and the winners of the four awards categories.
InDaily’s ranking of the state’s top 100 companies by market capitalisation and revenue covers the 2021-22 financial year.
The list, compiled for InDaily by Adelaide financial services firm Taylor Collison, is the state’s most definitive guide to our top companies.
The countdown finishes today with the full list that includes our number one listed company: oil and gas producer Santos, which experienced 84.6 per cent growth in revenue over the year to $3.7 billion.
READ OUR FULL ANALYSIS AND SEE THE COMPLETE LIST OF 100 COMPANIES HERE
Santos, which supplies Australian and Asian customers with a portfolio of liquefied natural gas, pipeline gas and oil assets, has always been number one on the list, despite challenges over the past decade.
Sales volumes were up over the year, and the average realised oil price increased 67 per cent while the average LNG price increased 111 per cent. Santos is also expected to benefit from its merger with Oil Search Limited.
OZ Minerals was number two on the list, despite sales being down 7.8 per cent for the half reflecting weaker copper prices and lower sales volume, its revenue fell 7.8 per cent to $909 million.
Some major announcements have more recently affected the mining company’s share price. This includes a BHP bid to take over OZ Minerals for $8.4 billion – and the company announcing it would invest $1.7 billion into unlocking one of the largest undeveloped nickel and copper mines in the world in Western Australia.
Argo Investments was ranked number three, Beach Energy as four and Peregrine Corporation, the state’s largest private company and largest private employer through its ownership of 170 OTR fuel and convenience outlets, was ranked number five.
Others in the top 10 included Elders with a 38 per cent uplift in group sales. Australia’s largest family-owned food business, Thomas Foods International Consolidation, made it into the top 10 for the first time.
Adelaide Airport was ranked 11 with a strong volume recovery following COVID, but trading is still well below pre-COVID volumes.
Discovery Parks benefited from a healthy increase in domestic travel – along with rising rent prices – across its 80 holiday destinations in Australia.
Today we also announce winners of the individual awards.
Listed agricultural fertiliser company Neurizer, previously Leigh Creek Energy, wins the Rising Star Award after jumping 23 places on the business index from 67 last year to 44 in 2022.
The company is working on developing a nationally significant NeuRizer Urea Project to be the world’s first carbon-neutral urea production facility, and targeting both local and export markets with its high-quality nitrogen-based fertiliser for the agriculture sector.
Its plan to create a solid Australian supply of urea will also benefit the industrial sector. Urea is a critical ingredient in AdBlue, a non-compulsory diesel fuel additive used to control harmful emissions from trucks.
When Russia’s urea supply was impacted by its war in Ukraine it led to a national AdBlue shortage in early 2022.
Another announcement benefiting the company came earlier this month when the State Government announced its support for Neurizer’s plan to own or lease railways between the project site in Leigh Creek and Port Augusta.
Maggie Beer Holdings was named Revenue Growth Award winner with an impressive 170 per cent increase to $75.2 million over the year with a gross margin of 53 per cent, all despite supply chain pressures.
Growth was boosted by the acquisition of Hampers and Gifts Australia in 2021, along with strong consumer demand for its premium foods and cross-selling synergies across the business.
Best New Entrant Award winner is mining technology company Chrysos Corporation Ltd, which debuted at 53 on the list this year with market capitalisation of $177 million.
Chrysos provides technology to analyse and determine the quantity of gold and other complementary elements in a safer, more accurate and environmentally sustainable way using its patented product the Chrysos PhotonAssay.
Developed by the CSIRO following more than 20 years of research and development, Chrysos took ownership of the technology in 2016 to commercialise and deploy the units to geochemical testing laboratories and mining companies across the globe. Its head office is at Adelaide University’s Waite campus.
The Standout Large Employer Award was won by Detmold Group, a family-owned and operated business manufacturing paper and board-based sustainable packaging products.
Ranked 34 and supplying some of the world’s largest and most iconic food and retail brands, IBISWorld reported Detmold had 2700 employees at June 30, 2021.
After 70 years of continued growth and expansion, the Detmold Group now have sales locations in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, China, Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwan, India, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Netherlands, and the USA.
To be eligible for the Index, businesses must be a South Australian entity incorporated in SA, have a head office in SA, or be an SA-operated entity, majority owned by South Australians.
Each company is ranked by Taylor Collison by market capitalisation using the following formula:
- ASX – market cap (share price plus the number of ordinary shares on issue).
- Private entities – estimate market cap considering company revenue, industry standard profit margins and applying earnings multiple.
25. Australian Central Credit Union Ltd (People’s Choice)
Sector: Financials | Revenue: $253.6 million | Last Year’s Ranking: 24
People’s Choice is one of Australia’s largest credit unions with members and branches across the nation.
24. Drakes Supermarkets
Sector: Retail and Fuel | Revenue: Undisclosed | Last Year’s Ranking: 23
Drakes Supermarkets is the largest independent grocery retailer in Australia.
23. Leader Computers Pty Ltd
Sector: Information Technology and Equipment | Revenue: $479 million | Last Year’s Ranking: 30
Manufacturer and distributor of information communications technology products.
22. Renascor Resources Ltd
Sector: Mining | Revenue: – | Last Year’s Ranking: 38
Explores, develops and evaluates mineral prospects with plans to become a leading producer for the lithium-ion battery for the electric vehicle industry.
21. Coopers Brewery Ltd
Sector: Food and beverage | Revenue: $268.4 million | Last Year’s Ranking: 22
Established in 1862, Coopers is the sole major brewer 100 per cent owned by Australians and captures about five per cent of the national beer market.
20. Mayne Pharma Group Ltd
Sector: Healthcare | Revenue: $424.7 million | Last Year’s Ranking: 19
Specialty pharmaceutical company focused on applying its drug delivery expertise to commercialise branded and generic pharmaceuticals.
19. Royal Automotive Association of South Australia Inc (RAA)
Sector: Financials | Revenue: $729.9 million | Last Year’s Ranking: 20
The RAA was established in 1903 to serve South Australian motorists and has grown to provide insurance, security, travel, finance, motoring and road safety products and services.
18. Boart Longyear Group Ltd
Sector: Mining | Revenue: $1.2 billion | Last Year’s Ranking: –
Boart Longyear provides drilling services, drilling equipment, performance tooling for mining and drilling companies.
17. Kilbirnie Investments Pty Ltd (CMV Group)
Sector: Automotive | Revenue: $1.5 billion | Last Year’s Ranking: 18
The CMV Group is a privately-owned family businesses, with more than 1600 employees across its CMV Automotive dealerships and CMV Farms with nearly 1,800 hectares across almonds, pistachios and wine grapes.
16. Cooper Energy Ltd
Sector: Energy | Revenue: $203 million | Last Year’s Ranking: 21
Energy company that discovers, develops and commercialises oil and gas in Australia.
15. Codan Ltd
Sector: Information technology equipment | Revenue: $506 million| Last Year’s Ranking: 7
Metal detector and communications equipment specialist.
14. Kelsian Group Ltd (formerly SeaLink)
Sector: Infrastructure and transportation | Revenue: $1.3 billion | Last Year’s Ranking: 9
Kelsian started in South Australia in 1989 as SeaLink specialising in ferry transport and is now Australia’s largest land and marine transport service provider and tourism operator. Its business consists of SeaLink Marine and Tourism, Transit Systems Group with domestic public transport in Australia, and Tower Transit operating in Singapore and London.
13. ADBRI Ltd
Sector: Infrastructure and transportation | Revenue: $1.5 billion | Last Year’s Ranking: 8
Adbri is a leading construction materials and industrial mineral manufacturing company established in 1882, with approximately 1400 employees and operations in every state and territory in Australia. Formerly known as Adelaide Brighton.
12. Discovery Parks Holdings Pty Ltd
Sector: Travel and accommodation | Revenue: $296 million | Last Year’s Ranking: 15
The G’day Group is Australia’s largest regional accommodation provider with more than 280 properties across Australia, including more than 60 owned and managed holiday parks. With a head office in Adelaide, the company recently added Hahndorf Resort and McCracken Country Club to its SA portfolio. Founded by CEO Grant Wilckens, and now majority owned by SunSuper.
11. Adelaide Airport Ltd
Sector: Infrastructure and Transportation | Revenue: Undisclosed | Last Year’s Ranking: 13
Adelaide Airport is the fourth-largest domestic airport and sixth-largest international airport in Australia, processing more than 7.7 million passengers annually. Parafield Airport is South Australia’s premier general aviation and international training airport.
10. Land Services SA
Sector: Professional services | Revenue: Undisclosed | Last Year’s Ranking: 12
Land Services SA property experts undertake a range of property transaction and valuation services, property information products, custom data sets and reliable market insights. In 2017, Land Services SA was appointed as the exclusive provider to the State Government for a range of land services and property valuation services, previously provided through the public agencies, the Lands Titles Office and State Valuation Office.
9. Thomas Foods International Consolidation Pty Ltd
Sector: Food and beverage | Revenue: $2.4 billion | Last Year’s Ranking: 14
TFI was established in 1988 by Chris Thomas, growing into one of Australia’s largest family-owned food businesses, and now led by his son, Darren Thomas. TFI now has teams in Australia, the US, China, Japan and Europe, the TFI brands and business partnerships grow, supply, and distribute premium meat and seafood all over the world.
8. Flinders Port Holdings Pty Ltd
Sector: Infrastructure and transportation | Revenue: $244 million | Last Year’s Ranking: 11
Privately-owned Flinders Port Holdings owns and operates Flinders Adelaide Container Terminal as well as the six key regional ports of Port Giles, Port Lincoln, Wallaroo, Port Pirie, Klein Point and Thevenard in South Australia. The company provides integrated supply chain solutions through Flinders Logistics and Flinders Warehousing and Distribution.
7. Elders Ltd
Sector: Agriculture | Revenue: $2.5 billion | Last Year’s Ranking: 10
An integral part of Australia’s rural business landscape, Elders was established in 1839 and now works with primary producers across the sector from finance, banking, and real estate services to wool, grain and livestock trading.
6. Core Lithium Ltd
Sector: Mining | Revenue: Undisclosed | Last Year’s Ranking: 16
Core Lithium Ltd is working toward developing a capital-efficient and lowest-cost Finniss Lithium Project, located near Darwin Port in the Northern Territory, Australia. Core is in the process of finalising further agreements within the lithium battery supply chain and electric vehicle industry.
5. Peregrine Corporation Pty Ltd
Sector: Retail and Food | Revenue: Undisclosed | Last Year’s Ranking: 5
Peregrine Corporation has more than 5000 employees after growing operations over the past 30 years to include OTR convenience stores, The Bend Motorsport Park, Smokemart Giftbox retail stores and a range of property investments.
4. Beach Energy Ltd
Sector: Energy | Revenue: $1.7 billion | Last Year’s Ranking: 4
Formed in 1961, Beach Energy is an oil and gas exploration and production company headquartered in Adelaide. Beach has a core focus on the resource-rich Cooper Basin.
3. Argo Investments Ltd
Sector: Financials | Revenue: Undisclosed | Last Year’s Ranking: 3
Established in 1946, Argo is South Australia’s leading listed investment companies investing approximately $7 billion on behalf of more than 96,000 shareholders from across Australia and around the world.
2. OZ Minerals Ltd
Sector: Mining | Revenue: $909 million | Last Year’s Ranking: 2
OZ Minerals is a copper-focused miner based in Adelaide with South Australian copper-gold mines at Prominent Hill and Carrapateena in the state’s Far North, and is now investing in establishing the high-potential West Musgrave copper and nickel project in Western Australia.
1. Santos Ltd
Sector: Energy | Revenue: $3.7 billion | Last Year’s Ranking: 1
Santos is a major oil and gas producer, supplying Australian and Asian customers with a portfolio of liquefied natural gas, pipeline gas and oil assets.
READ MORE:
Companies 100-76 on the 2022 South Australian Business Index
Companies 75-51 on the 2022 South Australian Business Index
Companies 50-26 on the 2022 South Australian Business Index