D&L on Forbes Asia’s “best under billion” list

FOOD and plastics input manufacturing firm D&L Industries landed on Forbes Asia’s “Best Under A Billion” list for 2016, the only Philippine firm that made it to this roster of 200 leading public companies in the Asia-Pacific region.

This list honors the best among companies with annual revenue between $5 million and $1 billion. From a universe of 17,000 companies, the candidates were screened on sales growth and earnings growth in the past 12 months and over three years, and for the strongest five-year return on equity, Forbes Asia announced on Thursday.

D&L ended 2015 with gross revenues of P19.69 billion ($420 million), out of which it unlocked P2.28 billion in net profit.

A total of 98 companies from China and Hong Kong made it to this year’s list, up from 84 the previous year.

Forbes Asia said on Thursday that these companies had stood out not just because of their record number but because they largely defy those who think that the world’s second largest economy is in trouble.

Other companies that made the list include East Money Information, the most-visited financial website in the world; environmental tech company Beijing Sanju Environmental Protection and New Material; drama production company Zhejiang Huace Film & TV; cosmetics producer Shanghai Jahwa United; paint material manufacturer Beijing Oriental Yuhong Waterproof Technology and elevator equipment producer Canny Elevator.

Elsewhere in Southeast Asia, Singapore has two companies on this year’s list, while Malaysia has five companies, which includes new entrant Karex, the world’s largest manufacturer of condoms. Thailand has four including Forth Smart Service, a top-up service company for prepaid phone and bankcards, while Vietnam has five companies on the list. The sole listee from the Philippines this year is D&L Industries, producer of food ingredients, plastics and chemicals. Indonesia has no representation on this year’s list.

Tim Ferguson, editor of Forbes Asia, said: “Even if the Chinese economy continues to slow, the rest of Asia—if it is to carve out a bigger place on this SME all-star list—is going to find big markets for high-value goods and services. Maybe the ASEAN trade treaties can help.”

The complete list is available on Forbes Asia’s BUB./rga