Bidvest the international services, trading and distribution group, has been named one of the world's top 40 companies in the authoritative global rankings published by management consulting firm A T Kearney and BusinessWeek.

South African-based Bidvest was ranked 37th in a survey of 2500 of the world's largest publicly listed companies, putting it in such company as Nintendo, Google, Apple, BHP Billiton and ExxonMobil. The survey covered 18 countries and industries as diverse as shipbuilding and information technology.

To qualify for a ranking, companies had to produce at least $10 billion in sales in 2008, of which at least 25 percent had to be derived from outside the company's home region. Shortlisted companies were then ranked on their five- year track-record for sales growth and value creation, including market capitalisation growth after adjustments for any rise in capital.

The survey named Bidvest as an example of an emerging-market company poised to become a global player.

Bidvest Chief Executive Brian Joffe noted: "Recognition such as this is satisfying at this particular time as our people have performed exceptionally well in the face of extremely trying trading conditions in many of our key markets.

"This accolade reflects their resilience in tough times, their spirit of innovation and their ability to spot opportunity in adversity. The survey salutes the Group. I prefer to salute our people."

Bidvest employs more than 105 000 people, most in South Africa. In 2009, total revenue topped R112 billion, drawn from interests in foodservice, freight logistics, outsourced services, industrial and commercial products, printing and related products and automotive retailing.

Contributions, in addition to those from the South African home market, came from the UK and Europe, Australasia, Asia, Namibia and other southern African states.

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