Region’s fastest-growing international firms named
YORKSHIRE businesses have been ranked in The Sunday Times BT Business Export Track 100, which lists firms that have the fastest-growing international sales over the past two years.
The firms must have total sales between £5m and £25m and international sales between £1m and £20m to be eligible for inclusion in the list.
Coming in at 22, Wakefield-based Pet Brands was the highest ranking Yorkshire firm to be listed. It operates in 54 countries including Brazil, Australia and China.
Owners brothers Ravi and Sandeep Sharma expanded overseas sales at their specialist wholesaler to £2.5m this year.
191 year-old firm Group Rhodes came in at number 29, as the specialist machine manufacturer is a major supplier to the Chinese aerospace sector as well as the Australian and Canadian mints.
It manufactures presses for coin mills, aerospace components and brick-making machinery. Led by chairman Mark Ridgway, 53, exports of £10.1m in 2014 were helped by demand in China and Brazil and a contract in the US with Boeing.
A-Safe, a supplier of safety barriers in 160 countries, headquartered in Halifax was listed at number 33. Growth at the firm has been led by brothers Luke and James Smith, so that it now has six overseas subsidiaries which has helped exports rise to £6.4m last year.
Vitamin retailer Principle Healthcare was founded in 2002 by Mike Davies and makes its wares at factories in Skipton and Slovakia, trading to more than 28 countries. Mr Davies’ sons Philip and Andrew now look after the firm’s expansion with exports reaching £4.6m in 2014.
Coming in at number 69 was bike frame designer Planet X. The Rotherham firm’s road, mountain, triathlon and cyclocross bikes are popular with cyclists in America, Europe, Australia and Scandinavia. Founded in 1990, in 2010 it bought US bike brand Titus Bikes. Exports reached £6.1m last year.
From the founder of ghd, Robert Powels, and now run by his stepsons Martin and Gavin Rae, Leeds-based Cloud Nine Hair sells hair products through distributors in 14 countries. The firm forecasts international sales of more than £6m in 2015 in markets in Australia, Germany and the US. Exports rose to £3.9m in 2013.
Martin Rae, managing director at Cloud Nine, said: “To achieve a top 100 listing in this league table to celebrate our global export achievements so far is a significant milestone for us. When we launched the brand back in 2009, we always had global growth in our sights and this accolade proves that we are on track to reach this goal.
“Continuing to develop our global footprint and play a part in the growth of both the Yorkshire and UK economy is exciting for us.”
Last but not least, Buckley Jewellery made the decision in 2008 to focus on selling its own brand, and has since gained worldwide recognition with international sales of £6m last year. It was founded in 1989 by chief executive Adrian Buckley and the firm sells to over 50 cruise ships and 140 airlines. In 2014 total sales £11.7m, founded 1989
Danny Longbottom, managing director UK SME at BT Business, said: “I would like to congratulate the businesses recognised in the inaugural Export Track 100, who are proving that it’s not necessarily size that determines international success.
“These businesses have used a combination of self-starting ambition, smart use of technology, and sheer hard work to punch well above their weight in the global market. The fruits of their labour are contributing to a strong and diverse UK economy, which we can all be thankful for.”
