Georgia companies remain strong in 2021 Fortune 500 and 1000 rankings; Global Payments makes Fortune 500 list for the first time
In the State of Georgia, we are proud of the countless large and small businesses who are doing business globally and providing a diverse economic base for the state. With the most recent Fortune 500 and 1000 rankings, we are also taking a moment to applaud those global businesses with headquarters in Georgia who have continued to create enormous success despite a worldwide pandemic.
This year, Georgia retained its standing on this prestigious list. Eighteen companies with a global headquarters in Georgia made the Fortune 500 list, and 33 companies ranked among the Fortune 1000. Home to world-renowned colleges and universities, and the no. 1 workforce training program in the nation, a world-class ports system, and a consistently pro-business environment, it is no surprise to us that these companies have achieved their goals.
A few key findings from the 2021 Fortune 500 and 1000 rankings:
- Georgia is home to 18 Fortune 500 companies, with one company, Global Payments, making the list for the first time in 2021. With dual headquarters in Atlanta and Columbus, 7,000 Global Payments employees are based in Georgia.
- Georgia is now home to 33 Fortune 1000 companies.
- The State of Georgia is among the Top 10 states in the nation for having the most Fortune 500 companies.
- Georgia also ranks in the Top 10 states for most Fortune 1000 companies.
- Georgia-based The Home Depot moved up eight spots on the Fortune 500 list, going from no. 26 to no. 18.
- Georgia-based UPS also moved up eight spots up the list, now ranking at no. 35.
With customers in more than 100 countries worldwide, Global Payments moved into the Fortune 500 list for the first time. Based in Atlanta and Columbus, the company plays an important role in Georgia’s “Transaction Alley” moniker. The state’s FinTech ecosystem is comprised of more than 170 companies, which generate an annual revenue of over $72 billion. Seventy percent of all U.S. transactions are handled by payment processing firms located in Georgia.
“For Global Payments, Fortune 500 status is a validation of our hard work, scale and substantial investment,” said Global Payments CEO Jeff Sloan. “In 2013, we set out to be recognized as one of the 500 largest companies measured by revenue because it was an easily understood way of saying we intended to double revenue and more than double profit and market value. In those seven plus years, our stock price is up 700 percent. And today we are now the sixth largest company by market value headquartered in Georgia, and Georgia’s largest financial technology company.”
Congratulations to all of the Georgia companies included on Fortune’s 2021 lists. This list not only puts their success in the spotlight, but also strengthens our economic development efforts as we continue to market the State of Georgia around the globe.
“Congratulations to each of the Georgia companies that made Fortune’s 2021 lists,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “When our businesses thrive, our people do too, and we couldn’t be happier to see so many companies that call Georgia home reach this major milestone.”
To view Fortune’s recently announced rankings of America’s largest companies based on revenue, click here.
--Published June 11, 2021