It seems that every industry is consolidating. Ris was followed on the list by Columbia Sussex Corp. and Affiliates, which is based in Fort Mitchell. Columbia Sussex Corp., a hotel developer and operator, had four hotels under construction in 1998, opened two of them and began construction on two more. Three of the top 10 companies, based on revenues, are automobile services and sales companies. Another trio of the largest privately held companies that participate in the Arthur Andersen survey are based in Northern Kentucky.
Officials there see few gray clouds for the economy.
Jeff Wyler Automotive Family, a Clermont County company that provides retail automotive sales and service and employs 550. United Dairy Farmers Inc., which employs 2,800 and is based in Norwood. The Cincinnati Enquirer , a Gannett Co. Inc. newspaper.