Survey names NZ's largest, fastest growing tech companies

Despite the high dollar, Kiwi tech companies’ export revenue increased by a solid 3% to $5.3 billion last year.

And technology companies’ total revenue was up 3.7% to $7.26 billion.

For context, the Ministry for Primary Industries estimates dairy exports will be $15.5 billion this year; the wine industry will generate around $1.2 billion in export receipts.

The figures, for the year ending June 30, arrive as part of the The Technology Investment Network’s annual TIN100 list of the largest technology companies by revenue, and the fastest growing.

TOP 10 COMPANIES BY REVENUE

Company: 2013 Revenue ($m)
1. Fisher & Paykel Appliances: $1,020m
2. Datacom Group:  $870m
3. Fisher & Paykel Healthcare: $556m
4. Tait Radio: $214m
5. Gallagher Group: $180m
6. Rakon: $176m
7, Temperzone Group of Companies: $173m
8. NDA Group: $150m
9., Moffat Group: $145m*
10. Weta Digital: $140m*
* Estimated

China's Haier bought F&P Appliances in September last year, but TIN100 CEO Greg Shanahan says the list includes technology companies that have been sold to foreign owners, but maintain operations in NZ.

Mr Shanahan says growth was dominated by ICT (information, communications and technology) companies, whose revenues grew strongly on both sides of the Tasman and from a smaller base in the US.

And among ICT companies, “The single biggest contributor to TIN100 growth was the $122 million  growth of IT services and support companies. These companies contributed nearly half of the total $260 million growth for TIN100 companies,” Mr Shanahan says.

Privately-held Datacom, majority owned by NBR Rich Lister John Holdsworth, has been the obvious star this year. The Wellington-based  IT services company made a net profit of $25 million on revenue that rose to $870 million in its 2013 financial year. Datacom's NZ revenue climbed 11% to $417 million and its Australian and Asian operations saw a 10% increase to $454 million.

This is one survey where Xero is not the hero. With the focus on total revenue and revenue growth, rather than share price peformance, the online accounting company does well, but is only in the middle of the top 10 pack (expect another jump next year; the company says its monthly subscription revenue points to $70 million+ revenue for its current year).

EY TIN100: FASTEST REVENUE GROWTH

Company: 2013 revenue (revenue growth in $m)
1. Datacom Group  $870m ($82m)
2. Fisher & Paykel Healthcare $556m ($40m)
3. Orion Health $122m ($22m)
4 BCS Group $84m ($22m)
5. Xero $39m ($20m)
6. Intergen $56m ($13m)
7. Fronde Systems $60m ($12m)
8, Certus Solutions $75m ($12m)
9. Scott Technology $64m ($10m)
10.Vista Entertainment Solutions $31m ($9m)

The survey also covers "TIN 100+" companies - those who have yet to make its main chart, but are fast growing.

VODAFONE  FASTEST GROWING TIN100+ COMPANIES 

Company: 2013 revenue (revenue growth in $m)
1. Aranz Geo $11.7m ($3.5m)
2. Energy Mad $9.2m ($3.0m)
3= Ceiba Solutions $8.5m ($2.2m)
3= Technopak $10.0m ($2.2m)
5. Flintfox International $8.7m ($2.1m)
6. Escea $10.2m ($1.8m)
7. Greenbutton $3.4m ($1.7m)
8. Precept Health $4.5m ($1.5m)
9. Soft Tech $7.4m ($1.3m)
10. Howick Ltd $6.2m ($1.3m)

The TIN 100 is primarily supported by government agency Callaghan Innovation, with NZTE and various private sector sponsors also kicking in.

The full report is available via www.tinetwork.com.