B&M leads the way for region in Top Track 250

MORE than 30 North West companies have won a place on the Sunday Times HSBC Top Track 250, the league table of Britain’s leading mid-market private companies.

The 32 businesses – led by Liverpool-based discount retailer B&M which is ranked highest in sixth place –  have achieved combined sales of £9.4bn and employ 46,500 people – up 4,300 people from last year.

Now in its seventh year, the Top Track 250 represents the next tier down from the Top Track 100 UK private companies with the biggest sales. To be included, companies must have also reported increased sales or operating profit in their latest available accounts.

Family owned Bolton-based bakers Warburtons is the second-highest placed company in 12th, followed by Pets at Home (18th), James Hall & Co (29th) and Sale-based recruiter Fircroft (41st).

Other entrants Electricity North West, (43rd) which reported sales of £393.8m in 2011 and operating profits of £210.4m, the biggest on the league table. The profit margin of 53.4% is also the biggest on the table. However, a large proportion of profits is used to pay off interest on the company’s £1bn debt.

Featuring on the league table for the seventh consecutive year is Manchester United, whose on-field success has been mirrored by strong financial performance. Sales increased to £286.4m in 2010, and profits increased by 65% to £16.8m

Outside London and the South East, which between them account for 119 of the Top Track 250 companies, the North West has the most representatives followed by Midlands (23), Scotland (20), North East (19), South West (12), East (11), Northern Ireland (10) and Wales (4).

All full list of the Top Tracj 250 will be published this weekend.