Did you hear?… Forbes editors pick the best big companies in America

In its Jan. 7 issue, Forbes editors pick the best big companies in America. The so-called “Platinum 400” consists of companies that are “better than their competitors, with outstanding profitability and growth.” An elaborate scoring system is used to whittle down 1,000 possible listees to the final 400. Companies doing business in outdoor, among other markets, included VF (The North Face, EastPak, Jansport), Polo Ralph Lauren (RLX), Nike (ACG), Kellwood (Kelty, Sierra Designs, Slumberjack, Wenzel, and others), and Timberland. In that same issue of Forbes, sunglass maker Costa Del Mar is profiled in the magazine’s “Entreprenuers” section. The story relates how Costa del Mar took a few hits but remained persistent in its quest for market share. That persistence has paid off according to Forbes writer Rob Wherry, who wrote “but the battle looms with much larger players. Polarizing technology is becoming standard in sunglasses with everyone from Oakley to Maui Jim and Killer Loop offering it.”