KEY POINTS:
The primary sector and the knowledge industry had a strong presence on the list of the Deloitte Fast 50 companies, revealed last night.
Overall, the 2008 Fast 50 companies grew the New Zealand economy by $901 million from 2006-2008, the largest contribution since the index began in 2001, and created 1200 jobs.
Last year the Fast 50 companies' total three-year aggregate growth amounted to $755 million.
The average Fast 50 company is six years old, employs 51 staff, records annual sales of $26 million and boasts revenue growth of 294 per cent.
Twenty-three of the companies on the list made a reappearance this year.
Masterton-based manuka honey company Watson & Son was named New Zealand's fastest growing business, with revenue growth of 784 per cent between 2006 and 2008. The company was established in 2003 in response to growing demand for manuka honey.
It specialises in producing premium honey from its 20,000 hives and develops the raw product into healthcare products.
Deloitte's Matt McKendry said Watson & Son was a brilliant example of a Kiwi company making the most of a relatively scarce local product.