Super six in Buyout Track 100
SIX high-growth, private equity-backed North West businesses, including corporate travel specialist Expotel, have been ranked among the top 100 in the country.
Published this weekend for a sixth year, the Sunday Times Deloitte Buyout Track 100 league table ranks the top private equity-backed companies with the fastest-growing profits (ebitda) over the last two years.
The North West representatives include two businesses that have recently gone through secondary PE deals – Tangerine Confectionery and American Golf.
The six firms jointly employ around 6,000 people and have generated combined profits of £49m.
The highest-placed company in the region is Manchester-based Expotel at 37th, which was bought by Phoenix Equity Partners in 2008 for £38m. It has grown profits an average 48% a year over two years, to £5m in 2010.
Reflecting the strength of the region’s industrial base, three of the six companies are manufacturers, including Tangerine Confectionery, Skelmersdale-based Hotter Comfort Concept and James Dewhurst of Accrington, which makes reinforced fabrics for industries such as automotive, packaging and construction.
Paul Lupton, head of corporate finance for the North West region at Deloitte, title sponsor of the Buyout Track 100 said: “Despite the many challenges facing the UK economy, it is very pleasing to see the many successful private-equity-backed businesses in the North West.
“It is clear that strong management teams supported by private-equity investors can deliver above average performance which in turn makes them attractive M&A candidates.”
The full North West table can be seen below.
