Host of Yorkshire businesses make Top Track table
A HOST of Yorkshire firms have been ranked in an elite list which ranks Britain’s leading private mid-market growth companies with the biggest sales.
Northallerton-based ice cream manufacturer R&R was the highest ranked Yorkshire company in the 10th annual Sunday Times Grant Thornton Top Track 250 league table, climbing up from 23rd place last year to clinch fifth place with sales of £605.5m and profit of £46.9m.
Although falling from 20th place last year, Hull-based shipping and oil distributor Rix was placed at 30, boasting sales of £490.1m.
With sales of £171m, outdoor equipment retailer GO Outdoors, based in Sheffield, took 193rd place, while Harrogate’s Bettys & Taylors came in at 231 with sales of £149.1m.
The recovering housing market in both the UK and North America has helped door and window hardware specialist Arran Isle take a place at number 142.
Arran Isle reported sales of £206m in the year to December 2013, up from £192m in 2012. Overseas sales account for £130m.
Operating profit rose from £700,000 in 2012 to £3.5m in 2013. The Halifax company now employs more than 940 people.
Chief executive Robert Barr said Arran Isle had benefitted from a recovering housing market – and he is confident of further growth this year.
“Our growth comes from our complete focus on service and innovation. Over 98 per cent of order lines are delivered on time. We have launched 17 major product ranges in the last three years,” he said.
“New products have included high security handles and locks in the UK, Ireland and the Nordic countries together with a range of lighting products in the US.
“We have seen a significant pick-up in the UK and US housing markets.”
The companies in Yorkshire appear with businesses from around the UK, including Aston Martin, Dr Martens, Jeyes, Nando’s, Pret A Manger, Warburtons, and Yeo Valley.
Will Oxley, practice leader for Leeds and Newcastle offices at Grant Thornton, said: “These mid-sized businesses are such an integral part of the UK economy. They continue to thrive and grow, often on an international stage and their achievements are rightly celebrated here in the Top Track 250.
“We listen carefully to them about the barriers, challenges and opportunities that they see and, through our ‘Agents of growth’ campaign, champion policy changes that will help. We think this dynamic segment of the market is starting to find a voice and is being heard.”
Other Yorkshire companies that made the list are:
William Jackson Food Group, Hessle
Arco, safety equipment supplier, Hull
MKM Building Supplies, East Yorkshire
Heron Food Group, East Yorkshire
CNG, commercial gas supplier, Harrogate
Principal Hayley, hotel operator, Harrogate
AESSEAL, seal manufacturer, Rotherham
Vasanta Group, business supplies distributor, Sheffield
Barrett Steel, steel stockholder, Bradford
Adare, marketing services provider, Huddersfield
Stoneacre Motor Group, Doncaster
Turner & Townsend, construction consultancy, Leeds
Zenith, vehicle leasing firm, Leeds
Lorien, recruitment consultancy, Leeds
Symington’s, convenience foods manufacturer
Poundworld, discount retailer, Normanton
Dovecote Park, meat supplier, Pontefract
Hatfields, car dealer, Wakefield
The Car People, car dealer, Wakefield
Tunstall, healthcare technology supplier, Whitley Bridge
The Grant Thornton Top Track 250 league table and awards programme is sponsored by Grant Thornton and Barclays, and compiled by Fast Track, the Oxford-based research and networking events company.
