Article reprinted from the Atlanta Business Chronicle, April 20-26, 2007

Fifteen Georgia companies made the Fortune 500 list for 2007, and Atlanta ranked No. 3 in the nation among cities with the most Fortune 500 headquarters.

Fortune compiles its annual list of the biggest and best businesses based on 2006 fiscal and calendar year financial performance, focusing on revenue.

  • The Home Depot Inc.(NYSE:HD) dropped from a ranking of 14 in 2005 to 17 in 2006, with $90.8 billion in revenue.
  • United Parcel Service Inc. (NYSE:UPS) moved up one spot to 43, with $47.5 billion in revenue last year.
  • The Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE: KO) achieved a 94 ranking, compared with a ranking of 89 in 2005. It had $24.1 billion in revenue for 2006.
  • Moving from 120 in 2005 to 118 in 2006 is Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. (NYSE:CCE), which had $19.8 billion in revenue.
  • Delta Air Lines Inc. (Pink Sheets: DALRQ), which will soon emerge from Chapter 11, fell one spot to 136 with $17.2 billion in revenue.
  • Columbus-based insurer Aflac Inc. (NYSE:AFL) went from 151 in 1005 to 164 in 2006, posting $14.6 billion in revenue.
  • Southern Co. (NYSE: SO) generated $14.4 billion in revenue in 2006, but it still fell three spots to 168.
  • SunTrust Banks Inc. (NYSE:STI) jumped 34 spots to 183 with $13.3 billion in revenue last year.
  • Genuine Parts Co. (NYSE: GPC) drove up one spot to 244, with $10.6 billion in revenue.
  • Calhoun-based carpet and tile company Mohawk Industries Inc. (NYSE:MHK) moved ahead 23 spots to 304, posting $7.9 billion in revenue in 2006.
  • Consumer products company Newell Rubbermaid Inc. (NYSE:NWL) dropped 11 places to 343 on the list, with revenue of $6.7 billion.
  • Beazer  Homes USA Inc. built itself a home at 420 with $5.6 billion in revenue, compared with a ranking of 429 in 2005.
  • AGCO Corp. (NYSE AG) fell from 399 in 2005 to 421 in 2006, with $5.4 billion in revenue.
  • BlueLink Holdings Inc. (NYSE:BXC) ranked 456 with $4.9 billion in revenue , compared with a ranking of 387 in 2005.
  • Energy company Mirant Corp. (NYSE:MIR), which emerged from bankruptcy in 2006 and posted $4.7 billion in revenue, ranked 474, up from 479 in 2005.

Meriting mention are 11 other Georgia-based companies (with rankings) that made the Fortune 1000: Synovus (NYSE: SNV) at 514; Superior Essex Inc. (Nasdaq: SPSX) at 661; Exide Technologies (Nasdax: XIDE) at 679; AGL Resources Inc. (NYSE:ATG) at 717; Spectrum Brands Inc. (NYSE:SPC) at 729; Georgia Gulf Corp. (NYSE GGC) at 754; Graphic Packaging Corp. (NYSE:GPK) at 766; Acuity Brands Inc. (NYSE:AYI) at 769; Rock-Tenn Co. (NYSE:RKT) at 822; Gold Kist Inc.(Nasdaq:GKIS), which is now part of Pilgrim’s Pride, at 824; and Flowers Foods Inc. (NYSE:FLO) at 889.

Atlanta placed third among cited with the most Fortune 500 headquarters, behind New York and Houston.

“For the sixth year in a row, Atlanta has ranked third on the Fortune 500 list. Even during a slow national period, metro Atlanta has made a strong showing on every measure of economic health – job growth, population growth and housing starts,” and Sam A. Williams, president of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. “Atlanta’s robust and diverse economy gives our region a strength that continues to attract new business and talent.”

The metro region account for about two-thirds of Georgia’s economy, 72 percent of the state’s job growth and 72 percent of its population growth.

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