( CNN ) -- Noble Group was founded in Hong Kong in 1987 by CEO Richard Elman . This year marks the company 's 20th Anniversary . Over its 20 year history the group has seen its global network reach more than 40 countries with over 80 offices . An international organization , Noble Group started from its roots in the metals industry and has diversified its portfolio to include a wide range of products in the agricultural , industrial and energy sectors . Recognized by BusinessWeek for its visionary stature , some Noble executives have been doing business in China for more than 35 years and were among the `` first movers '' into Ethanol and Carbon Credits . Today , Noble Group is one of the world 's largest suppliers of many essential raw materials . It continues to build and control global pipelines , transporting product from low cost producers , such as South America and Australia , to high growth demand markets , including China and India . The company currently manages over 20 product lines which extends from clean fuels to grains , sugar to steel , coal to coffee and iron ore to cotton , contributing to its $ 10.1 billion Q2 revenues for 2007 . Noble Group , including the plant , warehouse , port entities it owns and vessels under its management , employs approximately 10,000 people . The company is the world 's top stock performer from 2001 -- 2005 , according to Forbes , placed for the second year running on the Forbes Fabulous 50 public companies in Asia and was named a Best Employer in 2003 and 2005 by Hewitt Associates . E-mail to a friend .
Noble Group was founded in 1987 , in Hong Kong . The company now has a network that reaches over 40 countries . For Q2 of 2007 the group recorded revenues of $ 10.1 billion .