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
Rank | Company | Activity | Location | Year end | Annual sales rise over 3 years | Latest sales £000s | Staff | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Gemporia | Home shopping jewellery retailer | Worcestershire | Mar 12 | 245.36% | 54,471 | 265 | The acquisition in 2010 of Gems TV for £3m doubled the group's sales that year |
2 | Spabreaks.com | Spa booking services provider | Central London | Dec 11 | 198.31% | 6,805 | 30 | Co-founders also set up and run Your Golf Travel, which is at No 59 in this league table |
3 | Mobile Account Solutions | Phone and tablet provider | Hertfordshire | Mar 12 | 198.01% | 61,037 | 14 | Sales growth has been driven by the popularity of smartphones and tablet computers |
4 | AES International | Financial services provider | West London | Apr 12 | 187.46% | 11,210 | 36 | Advises expatriates on all aspects of financial planning and wealth management |
5 | Solfex | Renewable energy products supplier | Preston | Oct 11 | 178.80% | 15,528 | 15 | Panoramic Growth Equity bought a minority stake for £1.3m last year |
6 | Drake & Morgan | Bar and restaurant operator | Central London | Mar 12 | 171.50% | 16,400 | 267 | Runs five venues in London and aims to open at least two more next year |
7 | Jamie’s Italian | Restaurant operator | Central London | Dec 11 | 168.10% | 72,022 | 1,725 | Has 30 restaurants in the UK and 5 abroad |
8 | Gaia Wind | Wind turbine manufacturer | Glasgow | Dec 11 | 167.85% | 6,693 | 27 | Recently received orders from the island of Tonga |
9 | Stormfront | Apple products reseller | Exeter | Sep 11 | 166.57% | 22,687 | 105 | Has a team that demonstrates Apple products in schools [† Latest sales] |
10 | Lenstore.co.uk | Online contact lens retailer | Guernsey | Jan 12 | 159.15% | 5,114 | 28 | Founder set up the company at the age of 24 [* Latest sales] |
11 | Activ8 Distribution | Mobile accessories distributor | Watford | Jul 12 | 151.21% | 8,319 | 30 | Has grown sales thanks to the increased demand for mobile accessories [* Latest sales] |
12 | TGC Renewables | Renewable energy provider | Bristol | Aug 12 | 150.37% | 7,704 | 31 | Founders came up with the idea of starting the firm during a climbing trip to Mont Blanc [* Latest sales] |
13 | The Gym | Gym operator | Central London | Dec 11 | 139.80% | 13,464 | 41 | Plans to expand from 27 gyms to at least 46 by the end of next year |
14 | ITH Pharma | Pharmaceuticals supplier | West London | Mar 12 | 137.50% | 12,054 | 85 | Sells a patented syringe device, which was designed to reduce waste |
15 | Alternergy | Solar energy products distributor | West London | Jul 12 | 136.91% | 45,938 | 20 | Sales exceeded £45m in 2012 as demand for solar panels has increased |
16 | EThames Graduate School | Higher education institution | Central London | Jul 11 | 134.81% | 11,942 | 184 | Founder previously worked as a mechanical engineer and software consultant |
17 | Genuine Solutions | Mobile accessories distributor | Surrey | Jan 12 | 132.98% | 85,314 | 59 | Ships to 30 countries from its stock of 4,000 lines of products |
18 | Capture | Retail marketing agency | Central London | Sep 12 | 130.25% | 14,500 | 27 | Has designed campaigns for companies such as J Sainsbury and Kraft Foods [* Latest sales] |
19 | Anesco | Energy efficiency consultancy | Reading | Mar 12 | 127.22% | 21,422 | 54 | Was spun out of a division of Scottish and Southern Energy in 2010 [* Latest sales] |
20 | First Utility | Energy supplier | Warwick | Dec 11 | 112.01% | 76,098 | 179 | Its smart meter transmits energy usage data every 30 minutes |
21 | ProMedical Personnel | Recruitment consultancy | Essex | Oct 11 | 107.41% | 8,899 | 22 | Founder started the company at the age of 25 |
22 | World of Books | Books and media entertainment reseller | West Sussex | Oct 12 | 107.30% | 19,293 | 256 | Buys unsold books in bulk, saving charity shops the disposal costs [* Latest sales] |
23 | Safeguard World International | Payroll services provider | Cheshire | Dec 11 | 105.80% | 8,467 | 97 | Offers payroll processing services in 99 countries, for clients including eBay |
24 | Secured Mail | Bulk mail service provider | Warrington | Jul 11 | 101.56% | 47,929 | 87 | Acquired a division of DHL in February |
25 | ConSol Partners | IT recruitment consultancy | Central London | Dec 11 | 101.15% | 6,348 | 31 | Specialises in filling roles in areas such as mobile apps and video media |
26 | Save Britain Money | Money saving products provider | Swansea | Mar 12 | 99.53% | 25,786 | 605 | Since publication in 2012, Save Britain Money has gone into administration [* Latest sales] |
27 | MJ Media | Media planning & buying agency | Central London | Dec 11 | 99.47% | 15,103 | 19 | Manages advertising campaigns in the youth, entertainment and technology sectors |
28 | Staysure.co.uk | Over-fifties insurance provider | Northampton | Dec 11 | 96.93% | 9,563 | 200 | Recent growth has been achieved with marketing campaigns, including TV advertising |
29 | BrewDog | Brewery | Aberdeenshire | Dec 11 | 95.72% | 5,919 | 61 | Says it is the largest Scottish independent brewery |
30 | Hallam Medical | Medical recruitment consultancy | Sheffield | Apr 12 | 94.33% | 5,568 | 20 | Specialises in placing nurse practitioners [* Latest sales] |
31 | Liquid Friday | Payroll services provider | Portsmouth | Jul 12 | 93.95% | 46,001 | 1,463 | Employs temporary workers for the engineering, construction, IT and social work sectors [* Latest sales] |
32 | NWM Solutions | Payroll services provider | Bournemouth | Mar 12 | 93.63% | 54,821 | 203 | Offers an umbrella firm that freelances can join for simpler and more tax-efficient payments |
33 | Better Bathrooms | Bathroom products and tiles retailer | Lancashire | Mar 12 | 92.46% | 22,468 | 77 | Ships up to 500 orders a day placed by customers online, and also has three showrooms [*† Latest sales] |
34 | Travel FX | Foreign exchange broker | Northwest London | Dec 11 | 91.86% | 35,342 | 11 | Says it processes more than 1m of foreign currency transactions a week |
35 | TopCashback | Cashback website operator | Staffordshire | Jan 12 | 89.81% | 21,186 | 47 | Recently launched a website targeting customers in America |
36 | Côte Restaurants | Restaurant operator | Central London | Jul 12 | 88.39% | 49,344 | 1,124 | Is reportedly up for sale by its majority shareholder, Richard Caring |
37 | BathEmpire.com | Online bathroom retailer | Coventry | Dec 11 | 88.27% | 8,667 | 55 | The two co-founders started the company at the age of 24 |
38 | Pulse Films | Advertising, TV and film producer | Central London | Oct 11 | 86.45% | 14,108 | 32 | Film producer Sharon Harel invested £2.3m for a 20% stake in October |
39 | The Specialist Works | Media and advertising agency | Central London | Dec 11 | 81.89% | 26,072 | 30 | Founded used the funds from selling a prize car to set up the firm ten years ago |
40 | Fideliti | Childcare voucher administrator | Warrington | Mar 12 | 79.21% | 66,429 | 28 | Received a business-angel investment of £50,000 from Betfred co-founder Fred Done |
41 | Redeem | Electronic devices recycler | West Lothian | Mar 12 | 78.23% | 34,000 | 151 | Has processed more than 500,000 mobiles for O2 Recycle [* Latest sales] |
42 | Trunki | Children's travel products designer | Bristol | Dec 11 | 78.15% | 6,410 | 21 | Its colourful ride-on suitcases for children became famous on the BBC show Dragons’ Den [† Latest sales] |
43 | feelunique.com | Online beauty products retailer | Jersey | Mar 12 | 77.97% | 26,736 | 121 | Sends 30,000 packages of beauty products a week all over the world post-free |
44 | Lawrence Harvey | Recruitment consultancy | Central London | Mar 12 | 77.60% | 11,007 | 45 | Founder set up the company 10 years ago with a graduate loan of £9,000 |
45 | Be Wiser Insurance | Insurance broker | Andover | May 12 | 76.96% | 17,364 | 241 | Has tripled its staff since 2010, adding 100 in the past year alone |
46 | Penfield | Clothing wholesaler and retailer | Central London | Dec 11 | 76.31% | 7,877 | 17 | Sells its products through department stores, including Selfridges |
47 | Hunter Boot | Wellington boot retailer | Edinburgh | Dec 11 | 74.83% | 77,959 | 73 | Generates half of its sales overseas, in the Far East and America |
48 | Fever-Tree | Mixer drinks manufacturer | Southwest London | Dec 11 | 73.89% | 12,038 | 11 | Has recently expanded into overseas markets including Germany, Colombia and Japan |
49 | Joseph Joseph | Household goods manufacturer | Central London | May 12 | 73.62% | 31,558 | 65 | Its range of 360 products are sold in 83 countries [* Latest sales] |
50 | Oliver James Associates | Recruitment consultancy | Central London | Dec 11 | 73.46% | 36,461 | 74 | Is making its third appearance on the Fast Track 100 league table |
51 | Transglobal Fuels | Wholesale fuel supplier | West Yorkshire | Mar 12 | 73.07% | 33,790 | 11 | Counts Eddie Stobart and Robert Wiseman among its customers [* Latest sales] |
52 | Ella’s Kitchen | Baby food producer | Henley | Jun 12 | 70.89% | 41,220 | 43 | Founded 6 years ago, it sold its 200 millionth portion of baby food in September [* Latest sales] |
53 | Synergize Consulting | IT recruitment consultancy | West Sussex | Sep 11 | 70.35% | 13,311 | 11 | Places candidates for IT services providers such as HP, Fujitsu and Serco |
54 | Barrhead Travel | Travel agency | Barrhead, nr. Glasgow | Dec 11 | 69.72% | 42,192 | 441 | Has been booking holidays and offering travel advice since 1975 |
55 | Uniting Ambition | Recruitment consultancy | Staffordshire | Jan 12 | 68.73% | 5,068 | 28 | Counts the likes of Phones4U, Specsavers and House of Fraser among its clients [* Latest sales] |
56 | Dieselec Thistle | Generator supplier and installer | Glasgow | Jun 12 | 68.61% | 19,968 | 49 | Sales have grown partly thanks to large contracts for the likes of Goldman Sachs |
57 | Champions | Brand management agency | Loughborough | Mar 12 | 68.32% | 12,179 | 36 | Its clients include celebrities and athletes |
58 | Country Attire | Clothing retailer | Stockport | Aug 11 | 68.12% | 5,711 | 24 | Stocks brands such as Barbour, Hunter Boot and Loake |
59 | Your Golf Travel.com | Golf travel retailer | Central London | Dec 11 | 67.95% | 35,124 | 66 | Books holidays to 3,500 golf courses for more than 200,000 customers a year |
60 | Automotive Trim Developments | Leather seating & trim manufacturer | Coventry | Jan 12 | 67.27% | 7,037 | 85 | Manufactures leather seats and trim for top marques such as Aston Martin and Jaguar |
61 | Climate Energy | Energy efficiency consultancy | Essex | Jul 11 | 67.12% | 60,681 | 207 | Two acquisitions last year have enabled the company to construct zero-carbon homes |
62 | High Finance | Insurance recruitment consultancy | Central London | Oct 11 | 67.03% | 12,214 | 40 | Places staff across Britain, mainland Europe and Asia |
63 | Brand Slam | Brand management agency | Central London | Dec 11 | 66.93% | 95,630 | 158 | Founder Marcia Kilgore had previously launched Bliss Spa in America |
64 | Opus Recruitment Solutions | IT recruitment consultancy | Bristol | Dec 11 | 66.00% | 5,946 | 30 | Founder started the firm after selling his stake in another recruitment consultancy [* Latest sales] |
65 | Specialty Powders | Food manufacturer | North Yorkshire | Dec 11 | 65.64% | 21,496 | 47 | Diversified into sports protein drinks following the acquisition of a Dutch firm last year |
66 | Ramsdens | Pawnbroker and jeweller | Middlesbrough | Dec 11 | 65.16% | 51,270 | 324 | Has just celebrated its 25th year on the high street |
67 | Cartridge Save | Computer consumables reseller | Stockport | Dec 11 | 64.76% | 12,378 | 33 | Offers more than 6,700 types of printer cartridge [* Latest sales] |
68 | Global Personals | Online dating service provider | Windsor | Aug 11 | 64.06% | 18,894 | 94 | Manages dating sites for partners such as GMG Radio and The Independent |
69 | Maverick | Marketing and advertising agency | Central London | Jun 12 | 63.85% | 12,805 | 55 | Works with brands such as DHL, Virgin Atlantic and Bacardi [* Latest sales] |
70 | Blue Group | Industrial machinery distributor | Warrington | Jan 12 | 63.72% | 9,617 | 26 | Sells replacement parts, which has proved successful during the economic downturn |
71 | Roc Search | ICT / engineering recruitment consultancy | Reading | Dec 11 | 63.52% | 8,240 | 30 | Has benefited from retailers’ growing demand for IT skills as they move online |
72 | Pearmain Pubs | Pub and restaurant operator | Guildford | Dec 11 | 62.68% | 5,301 | 105 | Founders previously built a restaurant chain and sold it for £14m in 2000 |
73 | Make It Cheaper | Business cost saving service | Central London | Mar 11 | 62.16% | 8,766 | 67 | Acquired UK Power, an energy price comparison service, earlier this year |
74 | OneE Tax | Tax planning specialist | Bolton | Dec 11 | 61.94% | 23,274 | 33 | Its latest tax solution cost £1m to create, most of which went on barristers’ fees |
75 | MPM products | Pet food producer | Cheshire | Dec 11 | 61.39% | 11,300 | 34 | Moving into new markets such as Australia has helped to boost sales |
76 | Treadsetters | Tyre wholesaler and manufacturer | Telford | Mar 12 | 60.51% | 71,213 | 33 | Exports to 35 countries and acts as exclusive agent for a Chinese budget tyre range |
77 | International Applications | Industrial & consumer goods distributor | Oxfordshire | Mar 12 | 59.80% | 22,832 | 28 | Plans to expand into Africa [* Latest sales] |
78 | Offshore Sourcing | Forgings and steel manufacturer | Dorchester | Mar 12 | 59.73% | 21,506 | 120 | Its largest overseas market is America |
79 | Igloo | Recruitment consultancy | Leicestershire | Mar 12 | 58.85% | 18,822 | 25 | Specialises in the transport, logistics and automotive sectors |
80 | The Eventa Group | Events organiser | Brighton | Sep 12 | 58.73% | 6,853 | 47 | Specialises in hen and stag weekends and corporate events [* Latest sales] |
81 | Away Resorts | Holiday park operator | Hertfordshire | Dec 11 | 57.44% | 15,235 | 142 | Operates three parks on the Isle of Wight, Hayling Island and in Lincolnshire [† Latest sales] |
82 | Veetee Foods | Packaged food manufacturer | Kent | Dec 11 | 56.43% | 13,665 | 43 | Doubled its production capacity last year |
83 | Electricity Network Solutions | Electricity infrastructure servicer | Northamptonshire | Sep 11 | 56.19% | 17,919 | 179 | Refurbished more than 700 miles of overhead cables last year |
84 | Pho | Vietnamese restaurant chain | Central London | Feb 12 | 55.84% | 6,507 | 150 | Secured a £5.2m investment from Isis Equity Partners in July to fund expansion |
85 | Austin Fraser | Recruitment consultancy | Reading | Feb 12 | 55.19% | 10,253 | 47 | Opened its first continental office in Munich in November |
86 | Marlin Financial Group | Debt purchaser | West Sussex | Dec 11 | 54.78% | 31,663 | 102 | Secured an £80m credit facility last month |
87 | UK Flooring Direct | Online flooring retailer | Warwickshire | Mar 12 | 54.23% | 13,817 | 37 | Claims it has 20,000 customers’ flooring needs covered |
88 | Tropical Sky | Tour operator | West Sussex | Oct 11 | 53.69% | 31,102 | 65 | Caribbean beach holidays make up half of its sales |
89 | Amber Taverns | Pub operator | Preston | Jan 12 | 53.58% | 25,424 | 24 | Owns and operates 82 pubs across north England and the Midlands |
90 | Wiggle | Online sports goods retailer | Portsmouth | Jan 12 | 52.94% | 118,600 | 211 | Delivers its goods to more than 70 countries |
91 | Intuition IT Solutions | IT recruitment consultancy | West London | Apr 12 | 52.72% | 9,518 | 22 | Places software engineers who work with Oracle, SAP and PeopleSoft [* Latest sales] |
92 | Sprue Aegis | Safety products manufacturer | Coventry | Dec 11 | 52.58% | 33,275 | 73 | Last month won a contract to supply British Gas with bespoke carbon-monoxide alarms |
93 | ME Construction | Specialist refurbishment contractor | Central London | Dec 11 | 52.57% | 12,581 | 25 | Has completed high-profile refurbishments at sites including Westminster Abbey |
94 | GO Outdoors | Outdoor equipment retailer | Sheffield | Jan 12 | 51.66% | 143,665 | 1,461 | Opened 20 stores in the last two years, taking its total to 41 |
95 | sofa.com | Online sofa retailer | Southwest London | Feb 12 | 51.42% | 12,961 | 67 | Launched in America and opened a showroom in Manhattan this year |
96 | European Fine Wines | DISQUALIFIED | Southeast London | Feb 12 | 51.39% | 17,260 | 55 | DISQUALIFIED [* Latest sales] |
97 | GRITIT | Winter gritting specialist | Uxbridge | Sep 11 | 51.18% | 7,735 | 135 | Provides gritting services and winter risk management to clients such as Thames Water |
98 | ACS Business Supplies | Office products supplier | West Yorkshire | Dec 11 | 51.01% | 10,431 | 75 | Its customers include Lloyds Pharmacy and Hallmark Cards |
99 | Chromogenex | Medical equipment manufacturer | Carmarthenshire | Dec 11 | 50.38% | 6,932 | 36 | Credits high demand in countries such as America, Brazil and Australia for recent growth |
100 | Chain Reaction Cycles | Online bike retailer | County Antrim | Dec 11 | 49.72% | 136,448 | 365 | Its 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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