Food group tops Yorkshire’s 23 Fast Track 250 firms
A total of 23 Yorkshire and Humber businesses have been listed in this year’s Top Track 250.
Published this weekend, the 14th annual Sunday Times Grant Thornton Top Track 250 league table ranks Britain’s private mid-market growth companies with the biggest sales.
The 23 companies headquartered in Yorkshire – compared to 26 last year – have made a strong contribution to the regional economy. The companies increased combined sales 15% to £6.8bn and operating profits 29% to £466m, and they employ almost 30,000 people.
The biggest mid-market growth company in the region is Malton-based Karro Food Group, the pork processor. It employs more than 4,000 people and is one of only a few meat processors licensed to export to China and America. Sales grew 24% to an annualised £639m.
There were seven new entrants in Yorkshire, including car supermarket Motordepot and seafood trader Andrew Marr International, both of which are based in Hessle, East Yorkshire, and cafe operator and food maker Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate, which owns brands that include Yorkshire Tea and Taylors of Harrogate coffee, and increased sales 9% to £190m in 2017 on profits of £15m.
The companies in Yorkshire appear with businesses from around the UK, including Travelodge, Trainline, Dr Martens and The White Company.
The Top Track 250 is sponsored by Grant Thornton and Lloyds Banking Group, and compiled by Fast Track, the Oxford-based research and networking events firm.
Rachel Engwell, Partner at Grant Thornton UK LLP, the title sponsor of the league table, said: “Advances in robotics and artificial intelligence, the pervasive challenge of cybercrime, and the uncertain impacts of Brexit are among the significant issues facing Britain today. If we are to continue turning innovative ideas into businesses with international scale, we all need to play our part in shaping a vibrant economy that thrives. In this, the role of the mid-market is crucial. Resilient despite the headwinds, the Top Track 250 are innovating, winning business and adapting to generate value. There is much to learn from them.”
James Thomson, chief executive of Keepmoat Homes, said: “I’m delighted that following a transformational year for the business we have been recognised in this prestigious list and included in the top 20. Our focus for the future remains on delivering more of the new homes the country needs with greater speed and continuing to be the UK’s leading partnership homebuilder. Last year we delivered 3,717 homes and this year we are expecting to build in excess of 4,000 much need new homes for first time buyers and for affordable and private rent.”
