Nugget, Genentech rank high

Nugget, Genentech rank high
By Reporter Staff/
Posted: 01/24/2009

Fortune Magazine has announced its list of the "100 Best Companies to Work For," and it includes some names Solano County residents will recognize.

Ranking No. 10 on the top 100 list is Nugget Market. It had ranked No. 12 on last year's list.

The magazine said the Woodland-based company, which operates a store in Vacaville, moved up the list because, "sales have yet to slump at this crazy-fun supermarket chain which in 81 years has never had a layoff."

In addition, it noted the store's $273 million in revenues in 2007 and the fact that it showed a 22 percent growth rate. The chain currently has nine locations and employs 1,536 people.

In the No. 7 spot on the Fortune list is Genentech, which previously was ranked No. 5.

"The biotech leader continued to resist a takeover by shareholder Roche; it also implemented retention bonuses and severance ranging from 18 to 52 weeks' pay for anyone terminated after a merger," noted the magazine.

Genentech, headquartered in South San Francisco, and which operates a manufacturing facility in Vacaville, reported more than $11.7 billion in revenues in 2007 and employs 10,969 people.

Umpqua Bank, a subsidiary of Umpqua Holdings Corporation was ranked No. 34 on the annual list.

Umpqua, with branches in Vacaville, was the only Oregon company and community bank to make the list.

"Umpqua's 147 branches in three Western states look like Internet cafes -- with coffee on the house," the magazine noted.

"One prized perk: Employees get 40 paid hours a year to volunteer for the cause of their choice."

The bank reported $353 million in revenue in 2007 and employs 1,707 people.

"It's an incredible honor to be recognized for the third year in a row by Fortune,'" said Ray Davis, president and CEO of Umpqua Bank.

Ranking No. 93 on the list was Valero Energy, which operates a refinery in Vallejo.

"Hurricanes Gustav and Ike whiplashed refineries, but CEO Bill Klesse assured employees that Valero would not be severely impacted by financial storms," noted Fortune. "Employees received financial assistance from the company to rebuild their homes."

The company reported $95.3 billion in revenues in 2007 and employs 16,881 people.

The full list will appear in the Feb. 2 issue of Fortune Magazine.