The Sunday Times Fast Track 100

2012 - Fast Track 100 League Table

What is the Fast Track 100 – 2012?
The Fast Track 100 league table ranked Britain’s 100 private companies with the fastest-growing sales in 2012 over their latest three years.  To find out more about the research  and to view all the league tables from 1997 to 2023 click here

Sunday Times Fast Track 100 - Full 2012 Results

RankCompanyActivityLocationYear endAnnual sales rise over 3 yearsLatest sales £000sStaffComment
1GemporiaHome shopping jewellery retailerWorcestershireMar 12245.36%54,471265The acquisition in 2010 of Gems TV for £3m doubled the group's sales that year
2Spabreaks.comSpa booking services providerCentral LondonDec 11198.31%6,80530Co-founders also set up and run Your Golf Travel, which is at No 59 in this league table
3Mobile Account SolutionsPhone and tablet providerHertfordshireMar 12198.01%61,03714Sales growth has been driven by the popularity of smartphones and tablet computers
4AES InternationalFinancial services providerWest LondonApr 12187.46%11,21036Advises expatriates on all aspects of financial planning and wealth management
5SolfexRenewable energy products supplierPrestonOct 11178.80%15,52815Panoramic Growth Equity bought a minority stake for £1.3m last year
6Drake & MorganBar and restaurant operatorCentral LondonMar 12171.50%16,400267Runs five venues in London and aims to open at least two more next year
7Jamie’s ItalianRestaurant operatorCentral LondonDec 11168.10%72,0221,725Has 30 restaurants in the UK and 5 abroad
8Gaia WindWind turbine manufacturerGlasgowDec 11167.85%6,69327Recently received orders from the island of Tonga
9StormfrontApple products resellerExeterSep 11166.57%22,687105Has a team that demonstrates Apple products in schools [† Latest sales]
10Lenstore.co.ukOnline contact lens retailerGuernseyJan 12159.15%5,11428Founder set up the company at the age of 24 [* Latest sales]
11Activ8 DistributionMobile accessories distributorWatfordJul 12151.21%8,31930Has grown sales thanks to the increased demand for mobile accessories [* Latest sales]
12TGC RenewablesRenewable energy providerBristolAug 12150.37%7,70431Founders came up with the idea of starting the firm during a climbing trip to Mont Blanc [* Latest sales]
13The GymGym operatorCentral LondonDec 11139.80%13,46441Plans to expand from 27 gyms to at least 46 by the end of next year
14ITH PharmaPharmaceuticals supplierWest LondonMar 12137.50%12,05485Sells a patented syringe device, which was designed to reduce waste
15AlternergySolar energy products distributorWest LondonJul 12136.91%45,93820Sales exceeded £45m in 2012 as demand for solar panels has increased
16EThames Graduate SchoolHigher education institutionCentral LondonJul 11134.81%11,942184Founder previously worked as a mechanical engineer and software consultant
17Genuine SolutionsMobile accessories distributorSurreyJan 12132.98%85,31459Ships to 30 countries from its stock of 4,000 lines of products
18CaptureRetail marketing agencyCentral LondonSep 12130.25%14,50027Has designed campaigns for companies such as J Sainsbury and Kraft Foods [* Latest sales]
19AnescoEnergy efficiency consultancyReadingMar 12127.22%21,42254Was spun out of a division of Scottish and Southern Energy in 2010 [* Latest sales]
20First UtilityEnergy supplierWarwickDec 11112.01%76,098179Its smart meter transmits energy usage data every 30 minutes
21ProMedical PersonnelRecruitment consultancyEssexOct 11107.41%8,89922Founder started the company at the age of 25
22World of BooksBooks and media entertainment resellerWest SussexOct 12107.30%19,293256Buys unsold books in bulk, saving charity shops the disposal costs [* Latest sales]
23Safeguard World InternationalPayroll services providerCheshireDec 11105.80%8,46797Offers payroll processing services in 99 countries, for clients including eBay
24Secured MailBulk mail service providerWarringtonJul 11101.56%47,92987Acquired a division of DHL in February
25ConSol PartnersIT recruitment consultancyCentral LondonDec 11101.15%6,34831Specialises in filling roles in areas such as mobile apps and video media
26Save Britain MoneyMoney saving products providerSwanseaMar 1299.53%25,786605Since publication in 2012, Save Britain Money has gone into administration [* Latest sales]
27MJ MediaMedia planning & buying agencyCentral LondonDec 1199.47%15,10319Manages advertising campaigns in the youth, entertainment and technology sectors
28Staysure.co.ukOver-fifties insurance providerNorthamptonDec 1196.93%9,563200Recent growth has been achieved with marketing campaigns, including TV advertising
29BrewDogBreweryAberdeenshireDec 1195.72%5,91961Says it is the largest Scottish independent brewery
30Hallam MedicalMedical recruitment consultancySheffieldApr 1294.33%5,56820Specialises in placing nurse practitioners [* Latest sales]
31Liquid FridayPayroll services providerPortsmouthJul 1293.95%46,0011,463Employs temporary workers for the engineering, construction, IT and social work sectors [* Latest sales]
32NWM SolutionsPayroll services providerBournemouthMar 1293.63%54,821203Offers an umbrella firm that freelances can join for simpler and more tax-efficient payments
33Better BathroomsBathroom products and tiles retailerLancashireMar 1292.46%22,46877Ships up to 500 orders a day placed by customers online, and also has three showrooms [*† Latest sales]
34Travel FXForeign exchange brokerNorthwest LondonDec 1191.86%35,34211Says it processes more than 1m of foreign currency transactions a week
35TopCashbackCashback website operatorStaffordshireJan 1289.81%21,18647Recently launched a website targeting customers in America
36Côte RestaurantsRestaurant operatorCentral LondonJul 1288.39%49,3441,124Is reportedly up for sale by its majority shareholder, Richard Caring
37BathEmpire.comOnline bathroom retailerCoventryDec 1188.27%8,66755The two co-founders started the company at the age of 24
38Pulse FilmsAdvertising, TV and film producerCentral LondonOct 1186.45%14,10832Film producer Sharon Harel invested £2.3m for a 20% stake in October
39The Specialist WorksMedia and advertising agencyCentral LondonDec 1181.89%26,07230Founded used the funds from selling a prize car to set up the firm ten years ago
40FidelitiChildcare voucher administratorWarringtonMar 1279.21%66,42928Received a business-angel investment of £50,000 from Betfred co-founder Fred Done
41RedeemElectronic devices recyclerWest LothianMar 1278.23%34,000151Has processed more than 500,000 mobiles for O2 Recycle [* Latest sales]
42TrunkiChildren's travel products designerBristolDec 1178.15%6,41021Its colourful ride-on suitcases for children became famous on the BBC show Dragons’ Den [† Latest sales]
43feelunique.comOnline beauty products retailerJerseyMar 1277.97%26,736121Sends 30,000 packages of beauty products a week all over the world post-free
44Lawrence HarveyRecruitment consultancyCentral LondonMar 1277.60%11,00745Founder set up the company 10 years ago with a graduate loan of £9,000
45Be Wiser InsuranceInsurance brokerAndoverMay 1276.96%17,364241Has tripled its staff since 2010, adding 100 in the past year alone
46PenfieldClothing wholesaler and retailerCentral LondonDec 1176.31%7,87717Sells its products through department stores, including Selfridges
47Hunter BootWellington boot retailerEdinburghDec 1174.83%77,95973Generates half of its sales overseas, in the Far East and America
48Fever-TreeMixer drinks manufacturerSouthwest LondonDec 1173.89%12,03811Has recently expanded into overseas markets including Germany, Colombia and Japan
49Joseph JosephHousehold goods manufacturerCentral LondonMay 1273.62%31,55865Its range of 360 products are sold in 83 countries [* Latest sales]
50Oliver James AssociatesRecruitment consultancyCentral LondonDec 1173.46%36,46174Is making its third appearance on the Fast Track 100 league table
51Transglobal FuelsWholesale fuel supplierWest YorkshireMar 1273.07%33,79011Counts Eddie Stobart and Robert Wiseman among its customers [* Latest sales]
52Ella’s KitchenBaby food producerHenleyJun 1270.89%41,22043Founded 6 years ago, it sold its 200 millionth portion of baby food in September [* Latest sales]
53Synergize ConsultingIT recruitment consultancyWest SussexSep 1170.35%13,31111Places candidates for IT services providers such as HP, Fujitsu and Serco
54Barrhead TravelTravel agencyBarrhead, nr. GlasgowDec 1169.72%42,192441Has been booking holidays and offering travel advice since 1975
55Uniting AmbitionRecruitment consultancyStaffordshireJan 1268.73%5,06828Counts the likes of Phones4U, Specsavers and House of Fraser among its clients [* Latest sales]
56Dieselec ThistleGenerator supplier and installerGlasgowJun 1268.61%19,96849Sales have grown partly thanks to large contracts for the likes of Goldman Sachs
57ChampionsBrand management agencyLoughboroughMar 1268.32%12,17936Its clients include celebrities and athletes
58Country AttireClothing retailerStockportAug 1168.12%5,71124Stocks brands such as Barbour, Hunter Boot and Loake
59Your Golf Travel.comGolf travel retailerCentral LondonDec 1167.95%35,12466Books holidays to 3,500 golf courses for more than 200,000 customers a year
60Automotive Trim DevelopmentsLeather seating & trim manufacturerCoventryJan 1267.27%7,03785Manufactures leather seats and trim for top marques such as Aston Martin and Jaguar
61Climate EnergyEnergy efficiency consultancyEssexJul 1167.12%60,681207Two acquisitions last year have enabled the company to construct zero-carbon homes
62High FinanceInsurance recruitment consultancyCentral LondonOct 1167.03%12,21440Places staff across Britain, mainland Europe and Asia
63Brand SlamBrand management agencyCentral LondonDec 1166.93%95,630158Founder Marcia Kilgore had previously launched Bliss Spa in America
64Opus Recruitment SolutionsIT recruitment consultancyBristolDec 1166.00%5,94630Founder started the firm after selling his stake in another recruitment consultancy [* Latest sales]
65Specialty PowdersFood manufacturerNorth YorkshireDec 1165.64%21,49647Diversified into sports protein drinks following the acquisition of a Dutch firm last year
66RamsdensPawnbroker and jewellerMiddlesbroughDec 1165.16%51,270324Has just celebrated its 25th year on the high street
67Cartridge SaveComputer consumables resellerStockportDec 1164.76%12,37833Offers more than 6,700 types of printer cartridge [* Latest sales]
68Global PersonalsOnline dating service providerWindsorAug 1164.06%18,89494Manages dating sites for partners such as GMG Radio and The Independent
69MaverickMarketing and advertising agencyCentral LondonJun 1263.85%12,80555Works with brands such as DHL, Virgin Atlantic and Bacardi [* Latest sales]
70Blue GroupIndustrial machinery distributorWarringtonJan 1263.72%9,61726Sells replacement parts, which has proved successful during the economic downturn
71Roc SearchICT / engineering recruitment consultancyReadingDec 1163.52%8,24030Has benefited from retailers’ growing demand for IT skills as they move online
72Pearmain PubsPub and restaurant operatorGuildfordDec 1162.68%5,301105Founders previously built a restaurant chain and sold it for £14m in 2000
73Make It CheaperBusiness cost saving serviceCentral LondonMar 1162.16%8,76667Acquired UK Power, an energy price comparison service, earlier this year
74OneE TaxTax planning specialistBoltonDec 1161.94%23,27433Its latest tax solution cost £1m to create, most of which went on barristers’ fees
75MPM productsPet food producerCheshireDec 1161.39%11,30034Moving into new markets such as Australia has helped to boost sales
76TreadsettersTyre wholesaler and manufacturerTelfordMar 1260.51%71,21333Exports to 35 countries and acts as exclusive agent for a Chinese budget tyre range
77International ApplicationsIndustrial & consumer goods distributorOxfordshireMar 1259.80%22,83228Plans to expand into Africa [* Latest sales]
78Offshore SourcingForgings and steel manufacturerDorchesterMar 1259.73%21,506120Its largest overseas market is America
79IglooRecruitment consultancyLeicestershireMar 1258.85%18,82225Specialises in the transport, logistics and automotive sectors
80The Eventa GroupEvents organiserBrightonSep 1258.73%6,85347Specialises in hen and stag weekends and corporate events [* Latest sales]
81Away ResortsHoliday park operatorHertfordshireDec 1157.44%15,235142Operates three parks on the Isle of Wight, Hayling Island and in Lincolnshire [† Latest sales]
82Veetee FoodsPackaged food manufacturerKentDec 1156.43%13,66543Doubled its production capacity last year
83Electricity Network SolutionsElectricity infrastructure servicerNorthamptonshireSep 1156.19%17,919179Refurbished more than 700 miles of overhead cables last year
84PhoVietnamese restaurant chainCentral LondonFeb 1255.84%6,507150Secured a £5.2m investment from Isis Equity Partners in July to fund expansion
85Austin FraserRecruitment consultancyReadingFeb 1255.19%10,25347Opened its first continental office in Munich in November
86Marlin Financial GroupDebt purchaserWest SussexDec 1154.78%31,663102Secured an £80m credit facility last month
87UK Flooring DirectOnline flooring retailerWarwickshireMar 1254.23%13,81737Claims it has 20,000 customers’ flooring needs covered
88Tropical SkyTour operatorWest SussexOct 1153.69%31,10265Caribbean beach holidays make up half of its sales
89Amber TavernsPub operatorPrestonJan 1253.58%25,42424Owns and operates 82 pubs across north England and the Midlands
90WiggleOnline sports goods retailerPortsmouthJan 1252.94%118,600211Delivers its goods to more than 70 countries
91Intuition IT SolutionsIT recruitment consultancyWest LondonApr 1252.72%9,51822Places software engineers who work with Oracle, SAP and PeopleSoft [* Latest sales]
92Sprue AegisSafety products manufacturerCoventryDec 1152.58%33,27573Last month won a contract to supply British Gas with bespoke carbon-monoxide alarms
93ME ConstructionSpecialist refurbishment contractorCentral LondonDec 1152.57%12,58125Has completed high-profile refurbishments at sites including Westminster Abbey
94GO OutdoorsOutdoor equipment retailerSheffieldJan 1251.66%143,6651,461Opened 20 stores in the last two years, taking its total to 41
95sofa.comOnline sofa retailerSouthwest LondonFeb 1251.42%12,96167Launched in America and opened a showroom in Manhattan this year
96European Fine WinesDISQUALIFIEDSoutheast LondonFeb 1251.39%17,26055DISQUALIFIED [* Latest sales]
97GRITITWinter gritting specialistUxbridgeSep 1151.18%7,735135Provides gritting services and winter risk management to clients such as Thames Water
98ACS Business SuppliesOffice products supplierWest YorkshireDec 1151.01%10,43175Its customers include Lloyds Pharmacy and Hallmark Cards
99ChromogenexMedical equipment manufacturerCarmarthenshireDec 1150.38%6,93236Credits high demand in countries such as America, Brazil and Australia for recent growth
100Chain Reaction CyclesOnline bike retailerCounty AntrimDec 1149.72%136,448365Its online bike store is the largest in the world, offering a range of 90,000 products

* Supplied by Company  † Annualised figure

Data Source: www.fasttrack.co.uk

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