Eight that soared.

• Author: Gerhart, Clifford
• Position: 8 Alaskan companies whose revenue growth posted above 60%

Companies Whose Revenues Grew More Than 60 Percent

Eight New 49ers saw 1990 revenues soar, posting increases of more than 60 percent.

The fastest growing New 49er in 1990 was 43rd-ranked Brice Inc., whose revenues jumped from $8.4 million in 1989 to $18.4 million in 1990, an increase of 118 percent. The Fairbanks-based civil construction company, which specializes in remote-site projects, is described by secretary-treasurer Sam Brice as "kind of a local Bush company."

Brice's biggest job of 1990 was the Drift River project. In December of 1989, Redoubt Volcano began erupting, forcing the closure of the Drift River oil terminal. Although hampered by heavy snowfall and thick mud, the construction company's workers built an 8,300-foot flood control dike along Rust Slough. The Drift River dike was named by the National Society of Professional Engineers as one of nine Outstanding Engineering Achievements of 1990.

Brice Inc., which also operates a boat and barge service, worked on other projects in Point Hope, Ambler, Koyuk, Scammon Bay and Deering in 1990. Helenka Brice, Sam Brice's mother, helped found the company in 1961 and continues to serve as president.

"Last year was kind of a blip; we can't sustain that," Sam Brice says. "However, it looks like 1991 is going to be just fine. The construction industry is circumstance-driven. We just react to what there is to do."

C.R. Lewis Co. Inc. of Anchorage placed second among the fastest growing New 49er companies. The mechanical contractor saw a 99 percent increase in revenues, from $6.7 million in 1989 to $13.4 million in 1990.

Says company president Russell Lewis, "This was not an average year, but in this business it always depends. Most of what we do is bid work, and that's always a gamble."

Among major projects occupying 48th-ranked C.R. Lewis in 1990 were the Fort Richardson armory, the Bradley Lake hydroelectric project, the Eagle River waste water facility and Providence Hospital improvements.

The third greatest surge in revenues among the New 49ers was registered by third-ranked Arctic Slope Regional Corp. of Barrow. The northernmost Native regional corporation posted a 94 percent increase in revenues, from $112.8 million in 1989 to $218.4 million in 1990.

Sandra Stuermer, controller for the company, says, "ASRC is involved in every major industry in Alaska except timber and fishing." The subsidiary contributing most to revenues is ASRC Construction Inc., which provides oilfield support...