EDITOR'S MESSAGE (7/2)

WELCOME to Gold Coast Business News’ highly anticipated 2010 Top Companies edition.

Now in its second year, this prestigious collation has become the most requested back copy order of any research feature undertaken by the magazine’s privately owned publisher Business News Publications.

More than an insightful read, it’s an informative body of work, highly sought by universities, council libraries and interstate investor groups – all curious as to who’s who in the zoo in Australia’s fourth fastest growing city.

The playing field has been levelled by a spate of economic events over the past two years and, as a result, the traditional drivers of tourism and construction have capitulated as the economy contracted.

Industry stalwarts in the property space are reporting stronger sentiment in a sector that needs further cradling and more public infrastructure projects. The State Government has slated up to $12.5 billion in projects including the Gold Coast University Hospital at Parklands, Gold Coast Stadium and the rapid transit project. That’s good news for local suppliers and contractors.

Forecasters tell us the Australian economy is on the threshold of a major cyclical upswing. Growth will presumably pick up speed over the next two years and build into a boom later this decade, driven by rolling investment cycles.

It’s perhaps worth remembering that we’re in a rebuild phase, rather than a rebound one.

The Gold Coast is home to a diverse number of publicly listed companies and top tier private enterprises, all of which have endured their share of challenges.

While some were taken to the cleaners in the capital markets, others continue to raise capital, progress commercialisation and crack export markets.

As Billabong retains the No.1 Gold Coast listed spot, Wayne McRae’s copper miner CuDeco has made solid ground, progressing six places to the No.2 slot ahead of Village Roadshow.

In the private sector, the manufacturers are leading the charge. A number of companies in the manufacturing sector have demonstrated strong growth along the corridor between the Gold Coast and Brisbane. VIP Petfoods, OzKleen and Digga Australia all have their eye on the prize.

Get the full break down of the Gold Coast's top companies in Gold Coast Business News special March edition, available now in more than 450 newsagencies on the Gold Coast.