Six firms fly the flag in Fast Track 100 rankings

SIX North West businesses, all located in Greater Manchester and Cheshire, are flying the flag for the region in the annual rankings of Britain’s fastest growing private firms.

Published this weekend, the 17th annual Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 league table ranks Britain’s private companies with the fastest-growing sales over three years.

The six companies headquartered in the region (compared to 10 last year) jointly employ 250 staff and have achieved combined sales of £190m.

The companies are: Altrincham-based Worldwide Recruitment Solutions; Tandom Metallurgical Group of Congleton; Warrington’s Blue Group; Cartridge Save of Stockport; Warrington-based Fideliti and Country Attire, which is located in Stockport.

Worldwide Recruitment Solutions is ranked eighth overall and places engineers in the global oil and gas, mining, marine and power sectors. Sales leapt 178% a year to £14.2m in 2012.

Co-founder and managing director Mark Brown said: “Our service offering spans all seven continents, with overseas revenue accounting for 99% of our total sales income. Continued investment in our people and infrastructure will ensure our growth trajectory is maintained as we look to increase headcount from 60 to 150 over the next four years.”

WRS is one of two new entrants to the league table. The other is Congleton  firm Tandom Metallurgical Group, which recycles scrap metal and manufactures aluminium ingots for the automotive industry. Sales reached £44m last year, with fast-growing exports accounting for a 25% of turnover.

The North West firms feature on the league table alongside companies from around the UK, including restaurant chain Jamie’s Italian, retailer Oak Furniture Land, and cycling clothing brand Rapha.

The Fast Track 100 league table and awards programme is sponsored by Virgin, Barclays, Baker Tilly and BGF, and is compiled by Fast Track.

Sir Richard Branson of Virgin, said: “There has never been a better time to grow a business in the UK, as this year’s Fast Track 100 list proves. The pick-up in confidence and the speed at which technology is changing markets means there are plenty of opportunities for innovative businesses with entrepreneurial spirit and great ideas to thrive.

“The Fast Track 100 companies continue to exceed expectations – let’s hope they act as a spur to the next generation of aspiring entrepreneurs.”