Outgrowing 'Alaska': ARG Industrial stretches toward the ranks of Top 49ers.

• Date: 01 October 2023
• Author: Newman, Amy
• Published date: 01 October 2023

Every fall, Alaska Business releases its list of Top 49ers, and every year readers are left wondering--which companies just missed making it onto the list, and by how much?

One up-and-comer is ARG Industrial, still waiting to crack the ranks for the first time in its 43-year history. In any other recent year, ARG Industrial's reported gross revenues of $54 million would have been enough to catapult it onto the list; last year, that revenue would have been enough for number 47. But this year, with the bottom revenue set at $62.3 million, ARG missed the ranks. Barely.

President and CEO Mike Mortensen believes the day is coming.

"As we continue to grow, we hope to occupy that space someday," he says. "We're looking forward to officially making the Top 49 list someday soon."

After four decades in business, what's brought ARG Industrial to the precipice of breaking into the rankings? According to Mortenson, it's a mix of strategic expansions and acquisitions, the debut of an e-commerce platform that showcases an extensive line of products, and a company culture focused on customer service.

Alaska Roots, Northwest Expansion

"We focus primarily on the fluid conveyance and lifting and rigging space," Mortensen says. "We sell hose and fittings and all the related industrial products around that, wire...