Five companies in the fastener business are listed on the 2008 Crain’s Chicago Business list of largest privately held companies.

At #13 is manufacturer buyout/turnaround specialist Heico Cos. Inc. Headed by chair Emily Heisley Stoeckel, Heico had $2.5 billion in 2007 revenue and 10,000 employees. Heico acquired the Ivaco companies in 2004, including Canadian-based fastener manufacturer Ifastgroupe. Heico was founded and built by entrepreneur Michael Heisley, who also owns the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies among his 40+ companies.

The next fastener company is #48 MacLean-Fogg Co. MacLean-Fogg manufactures fasteners, automotive parts and devises for utilities and telecommunications firms. Headed by Barry MacLean, the company has $700 million in revenue and 3,000 employees. Web: maclean-fogg.com

Fastener manufacturer Quality Screw & Nut Co., headed by president Art Wondrasek Jr. was #230. Crain’s lists Wood Dale, IL-based QSN revenue as $112 million, up 13.1% from 2006. QSN Industries will drop from the list for 2008 as publicly-held Anixter International acquired SEM and Quality Screw of Mexico in August. Web: qsn.com

Richco Inc. is #261. The Morton Grove, IL-based manufacturer of plastic fasteners and components is headed by CEO Samantha Richardson and had $85 million in revenue with 500 employees. Web: richco-inc.com

At #310 is fastener manufacturer Semblex Corp. of Elmhurst, IL. Headed by CEO Robert Rothkopf, Semblex had $60 million in revenue and 215 employees. Web: Semblex.com

Though not a fastener company, #254 SmithBucklin Corp. is an association management firm, whose clients include the National Fastener Distributors Association. Henry Givray is CEO of the company with $89 million in revenue. Web: smithbucklin.com

Topping the 335 companies on the list based on 2007 revenue is food and beverage distributor Reyes Holdings LLC at $9.7 billion, followed by supermarket and food service company supplier Topco Associates at $8.7 billion.

The Marmon Group Inc. has headed the list in the past, but a majority of Marmon was acquired by Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. at the end of 2007. Marmon fastener holdings include manufacturers Pan American Screw of Conover, NC; Robertson Inc. of Milton, Ontario, Canada; Nylok Corp. of Macomb, MI; Specialty Bolt & Stud Inc. of Milton, Ontario, Canada; Deerwood Fasteners International in Conover; Atlas Bolt & Screw Co. of Ashland, OH; and fastener distributor SureDrive Inc. of San Francisco. �2008 FastenerNews.com