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IW 50 Best Manufacturing Companies

To identify the 50 top performing manufacturers, the IW formula factors in revenue growth and profit margin over the past three years, with the most recent year results weighted most heavily. We also considered three-year performance in four other financial ratios; return on equity, return on assets, asset turnover and inventory turns.

2009 IndustryWeek's 50 Best Manufacturing Companies: American Icons
Some recognizable names make their first appearance on IndustryWeek's 50 Best Manufacturing Companies list.

That swoosh you hear isn't LeBron James gliding over defenders for a slam dunk. Rather, it's Nike Inc. riding the backs of such superstars as James and Tiger Woods on to the 2009 IW 50 Best Manufacturing Companies list. Nike is among several newcomers to the IW 50 list that include such household names as Kellogg Co. and Philip Morris International Inc.

These manufacturers and the rest of the IW 50 leaders are selected based on a formula applied to the IW U.S. 500 spreadsheet. Company performance is measured over a three-year period (2005-2008) in the areas of revenue growth, profit margin, return on equity, asset turnover, inventory turnover and return on assets. The six variables are weighted with the most recent year contributing 50% of the calculation in each area.

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You may also view the list and profiles of the IW 50 Best Manufacturing Companies.

IW 50 Best Manufacturing Companies Articles & News

Harris Corp.: IT for the Battlefield and Beyond

Technology deals aimed at expanding health care and defense offerings

11/19/2009

Alliant Techsystems Inc: Big Orders for Big Guns

Deals pile up for defense contractor as U.S. steps up efforts in Afghanistan

11/12/2009

Kinetic Concepts Inc.: Vacuum Therapy Heads East

Company gains approval to market successful treatment in Japan

11/5/2009

Emerson Electric Co.: Avocent Deal to Build on IT Offerings

Company says acquisition will extend solutions it provides to data center customers

10/29/2009

Apple Inc.: Profit Spikes on iPhone Frenzy

Macintosh computers also realize significant gains in the company's record quarter

10/22/2009

CF Industries and Terra Square Off

Terra tries to discourage shareholders from voting in CF-nominated board members amid CF's hostile bid

10/15/2009

Murphy Oil Corp.: Buying Into Biofuels

Federal ethanol mandates prompt purchase of corn-based biofuel plant in North Dakota

10/8/2009

United States Steel Corp.: Keeping China in Check

Steelmaker joins a growing list of U.S. manufacturers and labor groups seeking relief from Chinese imports.

10/1/2009

Dell Inc.: Perot Systems Adds Punch

Acquisition of company founded by former presidential candidate should bolster services business

9/24/2009

Coach Inc.: All Eyes on China

Handbag and accessories company turns its attention to growing foreign markets, particularly in Asia

9/17/2009

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IW 50 Best Manufacturing Companies

The IW 50 Best Manufacturing Companies is IndustryWeek's report on the 50 best publicly held U.S. manufacturing companies based on revenue.

To identify the top performing manufacturers, the IW formula factored in revenue growth and profit margin over the past three years, with 2008 results weighted most heavily. We also considered three-year performance in four other financial ratios: inventory turns, asset turnover, return on assets and return on equity.

View the alphabetical list and profiles of the IW 50 Best Manufacturing Companies.

Who were the previous top 50? You can still view the alphabetical list and profiles of the 2008 IW 50 Best Manufacturing Companies, the alphabetical list and profiles of the 2007 IW 50 Best Manufacturing Companies, the alphabetical list and profiles of the 2006 IW 50 Best Manufacturing Companies and the alphabetical list and profiles of the 2005 IW 50 Best Manufacturing Companies.

Leadership Insights From The IW 50

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IndustryWeek.com delivers this informative newsletter to help executives keep abreast of strategic actions at the IW 50 Best Manufacturing Companies. Whether its globalization, supply-chain issues or management philosophies, the Top 50 companies provide valuable insight into challenges faced by all manufacturers.

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