Region’s fastest growing mid-market firms revealed
WEST Midlands-based SMEs have made a strong showing in the latest list of the UK’s fastest growing mid-market businesses.
Twenty companies headquartered in the region – two more than last year – make it into the 12th annual Sunday Times Grant Thornton Top Track 250 league table, published this weekend.
The companies increased combined sales 11% to £4.9bn, with operating profits up 34% to £357m. Combined, the firms employ more than 30,000 people.
Top spot goes to a familiar name – Pertemps Network Group. The Meriden-based recruitment consultancy grew sales 11% to reach £614m in 2015, and it employs more than 1,400 people.
Encouragingly, there are 12 new entrants to the league table this year, including Burntwood-based children’s nursery group Busy Bees – run by EY Entrepreneurs of the Year Marg Randles and John Woodward, Willenhall-based galvaniser Wedge Group, and DCS Group, the toiletry products distributor, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, which grew its profits 74% to £5m on sales of £186m. It employs over 300 people.
Coleshill-based IM Group achieved the biggest profits in the West Midlands at £115m, up 67%. The group has three divisions: car sales, car financing and property. Its sales reached £571m in 2015 and it employs almost 400 people.
The companies in the West Midlands appear with businesses from around the UK, including Arsenal, Barbour, Dr Martens, Nando’s, Skyscanner and Wagamama.
The league table and awards programme is sponsored by Grant Thornton, and compiled for the 12th year by Fast Track, the Oxford-based research and networking events company.
David Hillan, partner at Grant Thornton UK, said: “In the wake of the EU referendum it is more important than ever that businesses, and the public and the third sectors work together to help the UK to build on its strengths and ensure that the economy continues to grow.
“I am heartened to see how these businesses are embracing a collaborative approach to drive prosperity throughout the UK and wider society.”
| Location | Rank (2015) | Company (Sector) | Sales £m | Profit £m | Staff | Year-end | Main Shareholders |
| Meriden | Top 3 (11) | Pertemps Network Group (Recruitment) | 614 | 18 | 1,438 | Dec 15 | Management & employees (75%); LDC & others (25%) |
| Coleshill | 7 (33) | IM Group (Motor Dealer & Property) | 571 | 115 | 397 | Dec 15 | Lord Edmiston (100%) |
| Kenilworth | 16 | City Electrical Factors (Electrical parts wholesaler) | 504 | 33 | 3,015 | Apr 15 | Mackie family trusts (100%) |
| Warwick | 30 (65) | Telent (Infrastructure services) | 397 | 22 | 1,803 | Mar 16 | Tusk Investments (100%) |
| Malvern | 39 | Westbridge Foods | 340 | 7 | 159 | Dec 15 | Peter McNeil (55%); James McNeil (16%), Evelyn McNeil (15%); others (14%) |
| Burntwood | 100 | Busy Bees (Nursery operator) | 217 | 15 | 6,776 | Dec 15 | Ontario Teachers Pension Plan (80%); others (20%) |
| Stoke-on-Trent | 108 (107) | LA International (IT Recruitment) | 210 | 10 | 103 | Jun 16 | Paul luckic (93%); other management (7%) |
| Lichfield | 118 | Voyage Home (Care Homes) | 203 | 35 | 8,417 | Mar 15 | Partners group, Duke Street Capital (>50%); management (<50%) |
| Coleshill | 121 (174) | Sertec (Automotive) | 198 | 15 | 1,278 | Mar 16 | Management (100%) |
| Stratford-upon-Avon | 134 | DCS Group UK (Toiletry Products Distributor) | 186 | 5 | 301 | Dec 15 | Denys Shortt (100%) |
| Blythe Bridge | 173 (240) | Meyer Timber Group (Wood Products) | 156 | 8 | 334 | Dec 15 | The Meade Family Office (80%); Chris Rudd (20%) |
| West Bromwich | 174 | Keltruck (Commercial Vehicle Retailer) | 156 | 6 | 418 | Dec 15 | Chris Kelly (100%) |
| Sutton Coldfield | 179 (250) | The Works (Stationary Retailer) | 151 | 10 | 1,259 | May 16 | Endless (>50%); Dean Hoyle (>10%); management team (<20%) |
| Coleshill | 180 (216) | Davies Turner (Logistics) | 151 | 6 | 840 | Mar 16 | Stephenson family (94%); other (6%) |
| Redditch | 184 | Lexon (Pharmaceuticals) | 149 | 8 | 564 | Apr 15 | Sodha family (77%); Sonpal family (23%) |
| Shirley | 198 | EH Smith (Builders’ Merchant) | 138 | 7 | 566 | Jun 15 | Parker family (27%); Ensall family (27%); Michael Hodgskin-Brown (24%); Kenneth Avery-Smith (22%) |
| Nuneaton | 205 | GRS Roadstone Group (Aggregates) | 136 | 6 | 283 | Dec 15 | Management (75%); Tarmac Trading (25%) |
| Willenhall | 217 | Wedge Group Galvanising | 130 | 15 | 1,054 | Mar 15 | Woolridge family (95%); management (5%) |
| Burton-upon-Trent | 222 | Riviera Travel (Travel Agency) | 126 | 11 | 109 | Nov 15 | Phoenix Private Equity (60%); management (40%) |
| Birmingham | 231 | Carter Thermal Industries (Refrigeration Manufacturer) | 123 | 3 | 908 | Dec 14 | Carter family trust (28%); Scott family trust (26%); Elizabeth Scott (11%); Jane Chamberlain (11%); Mary Rennison (11%); other (13%) |
