BRITAIN’S MID-MARKET PRIVATE COMPANIES WITH FASTEST-GROWING INTERNATIONAL SALES REVEALED

Published today, the eighth annual Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200 league table ranks Britain’s mid-market private companies with the fastest-growing international sales. The 200 companies, which include well-known names such as brewery BrewDog, sandwich shop chain Pret, and premium cycling brand Rapha, grew their international sales over the last two years by an average of 47% a year to a total of £7.6bn. Together they employ 97,000 staff, having added 26,000 jobs over the period. Past stars range from drinks maker Fever-Tree, now worth more than £2bn, and travel search engine Skyscanner, which was bought by Ctrip, China’s largest travel company, for £1.4bn last November. The league table reflects the importance of Europe to Britain’s mid-market exporters ahead of the Brexit negotiations. More than three quarters of the companies (167) sell to the continent, the most popular market, followed by North America (112) and Asia (75). More than half (57%) of the companies said the Brexit vote has had a neutral effect overall on their business. The top spot on the league table goes to Caerphilly-based AerFin. It has spent more than £65m buying aircraft frames and component parts, which it recycles and then sells or leases to the likes of Lufthansa, Air France and Philippine Airlines. This year the company bought 15 Embraer E170 aircraft from Saudi Arabian Airlines. It grew its international sales an impressive 664% a year to £53m in 2016. The league table and awards programme is sponsored by HSBC and DHL Express, and compiled by Fast Track, the Oxford-based research and networking events firm. Amanda Murphy, UK head of commercial banking at HSBC, commented: “This year’s Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200 is testament to the exciting opportunities available to ambitious UK businesses with appetite to grow their goods and services abroad. Advances in technology mean that service sector companies make up the majority of the businesses on the list, a trend that we’re sure to see continue. We work very closely with our business customers to help them achieve their goals, so it makes me immensely proud to see so many of them succeed.”

Top 10 companies on the HSBC International Track 200 league table

Rank [2016 rank]

Company Activity

HQ location

Annual int’l sales

growth over 2

yrs

Int’l sales (£m)

Total sales (£m)

Staff Year end

Comment

1

AerFin Aircraft and spares services

Caerphilly 664% *52.8 *60.9 73 Dec 16

Customers for its engines and plane components include Lufthansa and Philippine Airlines

2

GreenTech Distribution

Mobile phone recycler and distributor

High Wycombe

298% *106.7 *160.2 28 Feb 17 Operates more than 40 Samsung service desks in Belgium and the Netherlands

3

SC Group All-terrain vehicle manufacturer

Devon 248% 31.4 43.1 207 Aug 16 Is manufacturing 89 military vehicles for the Australian Department of Defence

Sunday 11 June 2017

Rank [2016 rank]

Company Activity

HQ location

Annual int’l sales

growth over 2

yrs

Int’l sales (£m)

Total sales (£m)

Staff Year end

Comment

4

Media iQ

Digital marketing agency

Central London

187% 16.2 41.2 171 Dec 15 Develops its own analytical software in Bangalore, India

5

GForces Automotive software services

Kent 185% *5.3 *25.6 219 Oct 16 More than 70% of overseas revenue is generated in the Middle East

6

NCMT Engineer

Southwest London

163% 10.7 29.7 100 Feb 16 Is the sole UK agent for the Japanese machine tool firm, Makino

7

Carrs Foods International Baked product provider

Manchester 163% *10.8 *38.0 23 Dec 16 Americans are big fans of its St Pierre brand of brioche burger buns

8

Essex Services Group Engineering services provider

Essex 159% *14.2 *106.9 183 Dec 16 Has worked on data centres in Finland, the Netherlands and France

9 [11]

Millennium Group Food and drink distributor

Essex 148% 48.3 121.9 58 May 16 Exports food and drink to Europe, Africa and the UAE

10

ITG Marketing technology provider

Birmingham 138% 9.4 84.3 456 Aug 16 Manages marketing operations in more than 120 countries

* Supplied by the company

KEY FINDINGS Exports to Europe: Europe is a key trading partner for 85% of the league table companies, with Germany and France featuring in both their top 5 current and top 5 future export markets. Examples include GLD Group, a clothing and footwear supplier that has seen strong sales in northwest Europe; and design and engineering consultancy Contechs, which last year opened its second facility in Germany. Post-Brexit investment: Companies on the league table are continuing to invest to drive overseas growth. Examples include jewellery designer Monica Vinader, which launched its first US boutique in December; and online retailer The Hut Group, which spent £252m on development projects last year. More than half (57%) of the companies said the Brexit vote has had a neutral effect on their business. Acquisitions and joint ventures: 46 companies have bought or partnered with businesses to expand internationally. These include Claranet, which has made 15 acquisitions across Europe since 2014; and network services firm Teneo, which doubled its headcount in the US when it bought a Nebraskan consultancy in February. Service exports: Services is the top sector, with almost half the companies (97) in this category. Examples include Mind Gym, which provides 250 corporate learning classes a week from its offices in New York, Dubai and Singapore; and IESA which manages procurement, processes invoices and controls stock for customers across Germany, Ireland and the UK. Creative industries: 62 companies operate in the creative industries, ranging from architects such as Heatherwick Studio, which is designing Google's new Silicon Valley headquarters, to theatrical producers Cameron Mackintosh, whose box-office hit, The Phantom of the Opera, has been seen by 140m people in 35 countries. Ecommerce: 25 companies, including 10 online fashion retailers, sell goods online to overseas customers. Examples include Matchesfashion.com, which delivers luxury fashion to customers in 176 countries, and Missguided, the fast-fashion retailer that has eight multi-currency international websites and concessions in US department store Nordstrom.

Regions: London is the most popular location for company headquarters with 74, followed by the southeast (32) and the northwest (27). Of the remainder, 20 companies are based in the Midlands, 16 in the southwest, 12 in the northeast and Yorkshire, nine in Scotland, four in the East, four in Wales and two in Northern Ireland. See the appendix for the full league table

The full league table is published today as an eight-page supplement with the business section of The Sunday

Times, both in print and in the digital edition, and on www.fasttrack.co.uk.

ENDS

PLEASE CREDIT IN FULL: “THE SUNDAY TIMES HSBC INTERNATIONAL TRACK 200”

For further information please contact:

Claire Wheeler, deputy head of research operations, Fast Track: 01865 297006; claire.wheeler@fasttrack.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter @ST_FastTrack #IntTrack200

Notes for editors

Fast Track has published league tables of the UK’s top-performing private companies with The Sunday Times for the past 20 years. The company was founded and is run by Dr Hamish Stevenson, who also holds an associate fellowship at Green Templeton College, Oxford University. League table criteria Companies had to be registered in the UK and be independent, unquoted and ultimate holding companies. They are ranked according to the compound annual growth (CAGR) in their international sales over the latest two financial years. Total sales had to be at least £25m and international sales at least £1m in the latest financial year. Companies with sales of less than £25m are covered by our sister SME Export Track 100 league table. The research was carried out by Fast Track principally between January and May 2017. Data on international sales can be limited. Companies filing abbreviated accounts are not required to disclose any geographical breakdown of sales, while firms that file full accounts can choose to not disclose a geographical breakdown of sales if it is prejudicial to their interests. See website for full qualification criteria: www.fasttrack.co.uk

About our sponsors HSBC HSBC is the title sponsor of the eighth annual Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200. Founded in 1865 to finance trade between Asia and the West, today HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations serving more than 37 million customers worldwide. Our aim is to be acknowledged as the world’s leading international bank. In the UK, we support over 1 million businesses from small enterprises focused primarily on the domestic market through to global corporates. Whether it is working capital, term loans, trade finance or payments and cash management solutions, we provide the tools and expertise that businesses need to thrive. www.business.hsbc.uk @HSBCUKBusiness DHL Express DHL Express is the global market leader in the international express delivery market, specialising in time and day critical shipping to all corners of the world. With a network spanning over 220 countries and territories, DHL ensures your products are quickly and reliably delivered to destinations all over the world, providing tailored delivery options and returns. Whether you are a new or experienced international shipper, DHL is here to help. From improving your website’s international appeal, to the intricacies of customs duties and taxes, DHL Express offers support at every stage of the export journey. www.DHLguide.co.uk @DHLExpressUK

Appendix: The 2017 Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200 league table

Rank [2016 rank]

Company Activity

HQ location

Annual int’l sales

growth over 2

yrs

Int’l sales (£m)

Total sales (£m)

Staff Year end

Comment

1

AerFin

Aircraft and spares services

Caerphilly 664% *52.8 *60.9 73 Dec 16

Customers for its engines and plane components include Lufthansa and Philippine Airlines

2

GreenTech Distribution Mobile phone recycler and distributor

High Wycombe

298% *106.7 *160.2 28 Feb 17 Operates more than 40 Samsung service desks in Belgium and the Netherlands

3

SC Group All-terrain vehicle manufacturer

Devon 248% 31.4 43.1 207 Aug 16 Is manufacturing 89 military vehicles for the Australian Department of Defence

4

Media iQ Digital marketing agency

Central London

187% 16.2 41.2 171 Dec 15 Develops its own analytical software in Bangalore, India

5

GForces Automotive software services

Kent 185% *5.3 *25.6 219 Oct 16 More than 70% of overseas revenue is generated in the Middle East

6

NCMT

Engineer Southwest London

163% 10.7 29.7 100 Feb 16 Is the sole UK agent for the Japanese machine tool firm, Makino

7

Carrs Foods International Baked product provider

Manchester 163% *10.8 *38.0 23 Dec 16 Americans are big fans of its St Pierre brand of brioche burger buns

8

Essex Services Group Engineering services provider

Essex 159% *14.2 *106.9 183 Dec 16 Has worked on data centres in Finland, the Netherlands and France

9 [11]

Millennium Group Food and drink distributor

Essex 148% 48.3 121.9 58 May 16 Exports food and drink to Europe, Africa and the UAE

10

ITG Marketing technology provider

Birmingham 138% 9.4 84.3 456 Aug 16 Manages marketing operations in more than 120 countries

11 [7]

World First International payment provider

Central London

136% *55.0 *89.0 590 Dec 16 Recently announced plans to launch in India

12

AnalogFolk Digital marketing agency

Central London

125% *13.8 *27.7 220 Dec 16

Has expanded rapidly in Asia and the US thanks to customers such as Pernod Ricard and Nike

13

William Lamb Group Footwear and handbag distributor

Wakefield 117% 3.4 65.9 130 Dec 15 Manufactures shoes and accessories in China, Vietnam, Laos and India

14

Austin Fraser Recruitment consultancy

Reading 117% *11.0 *40.5 121 Feb 17 Launched an office in Berlin, its second in Germany, in March

15 [13]

Missguided Fashion retailer

Manchester 116% *88.7 *205.7 650 Mar 17 88-year-old US internet star Baddie Winkle fronted its latest campaign

16

SystemsAccountants

Recruitment consultancy

Central London

115% 3.9 29.2 42 Jul 16

Supplies more than 900 accountancy professionals a year to businesses in 11 countries

17 [24]

Priority Freight Logistics services provider

Dover 115% 26.7 48.8 127 Dec 15 Strengthened its facilities in Spain and Germany to serve the automotive sector locally

18 [29]

Reward Gateway

Employee engagement services

Central London

114% *39.7 *225.0 334 Jun 16

Runs employee engagement programmes for more than 1,300 customers in 23 countries

Rank [2016 rank]

Company Activity

HQ location

Annual int’l sales

growth over 2

yrs

Int’l sales (£m)

Total sales (£m)

Staff Year end

Comment

19

Ceuta Group Sales and marketing agency

Bournemouth 113% 9.5 60.5 472 Mar 16

Created an international network of distributors, which is active in more than 100 markets

20

GLD Group

Clothing and footwear supplier

Perthshire 112% 12.3 32.7 83 Jan 16

Has strong sales in northwest Europe, especially the Benelux countries and Germany

21

Shiner Sports goods distributor

Bristol 111% 16.8 38.2 76 Apr 16 Exports sports equipment, such as skateboards, to 35 countries

22

Solarcentury Solar technology provider

Central London

103% 22.6 168.3 228 Mar 16

Has teamed up with Ikea to offer solar energy in Holland and the UK through Ikea "solar shops"

23

Klash

Clothing manufacturer Oldham 102% 6.2 37.0 107 Dec 15

Sponsored schools and set up parks and drinking water initiatives in Pakistan, where it owns factories

24 [9]

Mountain Warehouse Outdoor clothing retailer

Central London

102% *46.1 *184.8 1,850 Feb 17

The only outside brand sold from its 260 stores across seven countries, is Kendal Mint Cake

25

Endava IT services provider

Central London

101% 41.1 115.4 2,533 Jun 16 Opened a development centre in Bogotá, Colombia last year

26 [22]

Efficio Procurement consultancy

Central London

97% 23.5 44.0 178 Jun 16

Plans to open two offices in the Middle East this year: one in Dubai and one in Riyadh

27

Portsmouth Aviation Engineering services provider

Portsmouth 97% 2.2 26.7 170 Dec 15 Has established businesses in Canada, Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia

28 [18]

Canburg

Luxury furniture manufacturer

Wiltshire 96% 16.0 34.6 275 Jun 16

Has become the go-to luxury furniture supplier for super prime developments in New York

29

Paymentsense Payment processing services

West London 92% *4.9 *61.9 235 Mar 17

Serves 57,000 businesses in the UK and Ireland and is targeting expansion in Europe

30

Contechs Design and engineering consultancy

Essex 87% 10.0 41.5 101 Dec 15 Opened its second German facility, in Munich, last year

31 [40]

Morley Waste Traders

Metal recycler Leeds 86% *12.9 *35.6 111 Jan 17

Sells processed scrap metals from Yorkshire to China, India, Pakistan and Europe

32

Laurence King Publishing Publisher

Central London

85% 26.1 35.1 49 Dec 15

Published Johanna Basford's colouring book Secret Garden, which has sold over 10m copies worldwide

33

Mardix Switchgear manufacturer

Cumbria 85% 7.7 56.1 378 Mar 16 Exports power systems to Europe, the Middle East and Asia

34 [72]

Baxters

Food producer Moray, Scotland

84% †198.6 †293.8 1,539 Apr 16

Manufactures in the UK, US, Canada, Australia and Poland, and sells to more than 30 countries

35 [84]

Optima Contracting Glass partitioning manufacturer

High Wycombe

80% 9.7 52.5 352 Jan 16

Has offices in Dubai, Singapore and Australia and manufactures in Malaysia and the UK

Rank [2016 rank]

Company Activity

HQ location

Annual int’l sales

growth over 2

yrs

Int’l sales (£m)

Total sales (£m)

Staff Year end

Comment

36

Blackrock PM Dispute resolution consultancy

Central London

79% *22.8 *25.7 71 Oct 16

Looking to open further offices in Singapore and other global arbitration centres

37 [28]

Titan Airways

Airline Stansted Airport

78% *23.3 *89.5 277 Mar 17 Provides aircraft to European carriers such as Aer Lingus and Eurowings

38 [56]

Ability Matters Healthcare product developer

Oxfordshire 78% 9.4 39.7 532 Oct 15 Has international offices in Ireland, France and the Netherlands

39

Havwoods Hardwood flooring specialist

Lancashire 77% *2.4 *36.0 80 Dec 16 Plans to open a showroom in New York this year

40

Principle Brand implementation agency

Huddersfield 77% *104.2 *149.7 480 Dec 16 Opened its 15th office last year, in Mumbai

41 [51]

Lovehoney Sex toy retailer

Bath 75% 15.8 58.1 214 Mar 16 Has the exclusive rights to manufacture Fifty Shades of Grey adult toys worldwide

42 [65]

Jellyfish Digital marketing agency

Central London

75% 22.9 53.1 329 Mar 16 Global clients include Skype, Nestlé and Under Armour

43

Dalepak Logistics services provider

Northampton 74% 10.9 34.1 223 Mar 16

Sources and assembles after-sales clutch kits for Ford in Germany and Canada

44 [47]

Whitemeadow Furniture Furniture manufacturer

Notts 74% 2.0 36.1 338 Dec 15 Supplies Irish furniture retailers with handcrafted upholstered furniture

45

Jacksons Fencing

Fencing manufacturer Kent 74% 8.6 32.0 255 Sep 16

Provided 14,000m of security fencing in under 12 months for the Eurotunnel

46 [33]

Mark Allen Group Publisher and events organiser

Southeast London

73% 3.1 31.8 282 Mar 16

In 2015 it bought Airports Publishing Networks, which runs events across four continents

47

Microlise

Vehicle tracking developer

Nottingham 73% 4.3 41.2 347 Jun 16 Is setting up operations in Dubai to add to offices in India and Australia

48 [54]

John Adams Toy and leisure product wholesaler

Huntingdon 72% *3.1 *32.9 40 Dec 16

Brands such as Fuzzy-Felt and Ideal Games have proved popular in Europe, Asia and Australia

49

The7stars Media agency

Central London

72% 34.2 209.5 117 Mar 16 Buys advertising for gaming client Supercell across Europe

50

Monica Vinader Jewellery designer

Norfolk 71% 9.7 26.4 173 Jul 16 Has seven shops across Asia, the Middle East and America

51

Barron Wood Distribution Transport broker

Preston 71% *3.9 *57.1 125 Oct 16 Provides freight logistics to western European countries

52

3V Natural Foods Natural food and drink producer

Hampshire 70% 3.4 25.7 112 Sep 16 Sells its British-made products to 19 countries, including Norway and Japan

53

Peers Hardy Group Watch designer and distributor

Solihull 70% *13.9 *34.9 115 Dec 16

Its Henry London brand launched in 2015, and is now exported to 70 countries including Japan

54 [46]

Vision Support Services Textile distributor

Blackburn 70% *14.6 *46.7 125 Mar 17

Some of the world's most famous hotels, such as Raffles in Singapore, use its linens

Rank [2016 rank]

Company Activity

HQ location

Annual int’l sales

growth over 2

yrs

Int’l sales (£m)

Total sales (£m)

Staff Year end

Comment

55 [2]

APS Group

Marketing services provider

Cheshire 70% 33.6 114.8 748 Jan 16 Its staff speak 19 languages in 25 offices globally

56

NMS International Group Construction contractor

Leicestershire 69% 30.6 30.6 27 Apr 16 Is managing a £135m hospital infrastructure project in Ghana

57

John Morley Dried fruit importer

Cheshire 68% †10.3 †34.8 132 Dec 15 Its fruit topping preparations are becoming popular in the Middle East

58 [52]

The Hut Group Online retailer

Northwich 67% 316.8 501.4 1,833 Dec 16 Launched 60 international websites last year, bringing its total to more than 140

59

Heatherwick Studio

Architect and designer Central London

66% 23.5 27.8 180 Mar 16 Is designing Google's new headquarters in Mountain View, California

60

Sambro International Branded merchandise supplier

Bury 66% *38.5 *71.0 162 Dec 16 Opening offices in Germany and Italy this year

61

Chiltern International Group Contract research provider

Slough 65% *331.3 *400.2 4,500 Dec 16

Four acquisitions since 2014 have helped strengthen its presence in the Americas and Asia

62 [32]

Peninsula Employment law consultancy

Manchester 65% 35.9 134.6 1,690 Mar 16 Its Australian subsidiary almost doubled its sales last year

63

Whitehouse Leisure Soft toy distributor

Essex 64% *†23.5 *†58.1 40 Dec 15

Holds the leisure licence to distribute Disney soft toys across the UK, Middle East and Africa

64

mac

Construction contractor County Down 61% 56.6 56.6 52 Dec 16

Upgrades commercial office buildings for US firms seeking a presence in Ireland

65

Radius Payment Solutions

Fleet services provider Crewe 61% 510.9 1,475.0 687 Mar 16

Has diversified into telematics and expanded into Asia, opening offices in Singapore and Malaysia

66 [3]

Cennox Banking automation services provider

Surrey 61% 30.1 43.7 526 Dec 16 Supplies some of the largest global banks with cash machines

67

Matchesfashion.com Luxury fashion retailer

Central London

60% 148.0 203.7 527 Jan 17 Delivers luxury fashion to 176 countries

68 [67]

George Pragnell Fine jeweller

Stratford-upon-Avon

60% 15.3 31.6 68 May 16 Its customers include European royalty and Chinese entrepreneurs

69

Westcoast Electronic product distributor

Reading 59% 321.2 1,912.5 1,195 Dec 16

Established operations in Lyon after buying out a division of Spanish distributor Adveo

70 [83]

AG Thames

Fruit importer and distributor

Kent 59% *37.3 *260.2 459 Sep 16

Set up a Spanish subsidiary to work with local growers and develop customers in the EU

71

Viadex IT reseller

Southwest London

59% 16.4 32.7 47 Jun 16 Has seen sales grow across Asia Pacific since opening a Singapore office in 2015

72

Scott Brownrigg Architect

Central London

57% 2.7 27.1 279 Jul 16

Lead designer of Istanbul New Airport, which will be the largest single terminal in the world

73 [14]

Cameron Mackintosh

Theatrical producer Central London

57% 75.5 146.7 650 Mar 16 140m people in 35 countries have seen The Phantom of the Opera

Rank [2016 rank]

Company Activity

HQ location

Annual int’l sales

growth over 2

yrs

Int’l sales (£m)

Total sales (£m)

Staff Year end

Comment

74 [20]

Dairy Partners Cheesemaker

Glos 57% *14.1 *57.7 142 Dec 16 Sends container loads of frozen cheese to countries such as Japan and Dubai

75 [92]

Hyperion Insurance Group Insurance broker and underwriter

Central London

54% 352.5 423.9 3,587 Sep 16 Its employees are spread across offices in 39 countries

76 [78]

Oakfield Meat importer and wholesaler

North London 54% 17.3 124.8 47 Dec 15 Has been growing its meat exports to China and Africa

77

Composite Floor Deck Group Steel decking supplier

South Wales 53% 8.1 33.7 166 Mar 16

Provided steel decking for the Kings Avenue Mall in Cyprus and the BNZ Tower in Auckland

78

Tangle Teezer Hair product supplier

South London 50% 23.2 28.6 28 Mar 16 Sells 15 hairbrushes overseas per minute

79 [149]

KMF Precision sheet metal engineer

Staffordshire 50% 4.9 33.1 463 Mar 16 Manufactures sheet metal for customers in Europe and North America

80

Tourstan Group Recruitment consultancy

Central London

50% 6.7 49.8 70 Dec 15 Supplies staff to more than 150 global corporations

81 [27]

M2M Direct PC memory and storage distributor

Kent 49% 16.4 49.2 17 Dec 15 Joined Dell's European Partner Programme in 2016

82

A-Safe Safety barrier manufacturer

Halifax 49% *22.2 *29.3 225 Dec 16 Heineken's brewery in the Netherlands installed its barrier system last year

83 [55]

Greencroft Bottling Contract wine bottler

Durham 49% 6.4 35.8 179 Jun 16

Provides bottling services for wineries in Australia, New Zealand, the US, Chile and South Africa

84 [38]

Proseal Sealing equipment manufacturer

Cheshire 48% 16.0 32.3 256 Jan 16

Appointed new sales agents last year in Spain, the Middle East, South Africa and Thailand

85 [66]

Childrensalon Childrenswear retailer

Tunbridge Wells

48% *52.5 *62.0 211 Dec 16 Its customer service staff speak more than 30 languages

86 [17]

Alfa Technical Industries Chemicals distributor

Berkshire 48% 9.0 28.6 60 Dec 15 Supplies speciality chemicals across Ireland and the Nordic countries

87 [70]

Comline Auto Parts Automotive parts supplier

Luton 47% 24.8 42.6 130 Mar 16

Supplies car parts to more than 40 countries and has subsidiaries in Spain and Greece

88 [155]

Xexec Reward programme administrator

Northwest London

46% *4.2 *26.5 35 Nov 16 Partners with global brands such as Amazon and Zara

89 [95]

Avalon

Entertainment producer and manager

West London 45% *49.9 *111.7 122 Jun 16 Produces the popular HBO show 'Last Week Tonight with John Oliver'

90

Duerr's Fruit preserve manufacturer

Manchester 45% 6.3 64.9 239 Mar 16 Sells jams and condiments to 50 countries from Ireland to Australia

91 [143]

Sahara Presentation Systems

Audio-visual product supplier

Kent 45% *13.1 *48.1 73 Dec 16

Its interactive touchscreens are sold throughout the US and Europe to the education sector

92

Matchroom Sport Sporting events promoter

Essex 45% 15.3 70.5 73 Jun 16 Its snooker tournaments have proved popular in mainland Europe and China

Rank [2016 rank]

Company Activity

HQ location

Annual int’l sales

growth over 2

yrs

Int’l sales (£m)

Total sales (£m)

Staff Year end

Comment

93

DOMU Brands Homeware manufacturer

Manchester 44% 15.0 39.1 84 Jun 16

Exports have been boosted by growth in the US, which accounts for a third of total turnover

94 [61]

Cambridge Commodities

Nutritional supplement wholesaler

Cambs 43% *8.6 *29.7 110 Nov 16 Stocks more than 2,000 products, including New Zealand mussel powder

95 [116]

Flashtalking Advertising technology developer

Central London

43% *33.7 *39.9 284 Dec 16

Has five offices across the US, as well as in Germany, Australia and the Netherlands

96

Grayson Thermal Systems Automotive technology provider

Birmingham 42% 4.4 25.5 258 Mar 16 Has a manufacturing facility in Indiana to serve customers in the US

97

History & Heraldry

Gift product designer Rotherham 42% *20.6 *29.8 191 Dec 16

Sells to 70 countries from distribution bases in Estonia, the US and China

98

Gama Healthcare Antimicrobial product distributor

Watford 42% *5.0 *25.0 61 Mar 17 Australia and New Zealand are the biggest markets for its infection control wet wipes

99 [76]

Apricot

Fashion retailer Central London

42% *15.2 *42.0 240 Feb 17 Has more than 200 overseas concessions concentrated in Germany and Italy

100 [10]

CloserStill Exhibition organiser

Central London

42% *9.0 *36.5 178 Dec 16 Acquired a French events organiser in January for an undisclosed sum

101

Options

IT services provider Central London

41% 23.5 36.5 127 Dec 16 Has a network of 13 support centres globally, from New York to Hong Kong

102

Reach Active Group Specialist engineering contractor

Hertford 41% 8.0 25.6 144 Apr 16 Customers in Ireland include the Electricity Supply Board, IDA Ireland and Fitbit

103 [35]

Phaidon International Recruitment consultancy

Central London

41% *44.4 *49.6 364 Oct 16 Has customers in more than 60 countries

104

Frank Recruitment Group IT recruitment consultancy

Newcastle upon Tyne

40% *76.7 *127.5 810 Nov 16 US private-equity firm TPG acquired a majority stake in April last year

105 [105]

SSQ

Legal recruitment consultancy

Central London

40% *10.6 *26.2 123 Dec 16 Has 20 overseas offices, including three in Germany

106

Solent Group Consumer product supplier

Dorset 39% 5.2 42.1 132 Dec 15

Has factories in China, Vietnam and the UK producing branded and private-label goods for retailers

107

DR Wakefield Coffee merchant

Central London

39% 10.4 27.7 17 Jan 16 Distributes more than 360 different coffees to 41 countries around the world

108 [142]

Durbin

Pharmaceuticals supplier

Northwest London

38% *58.9 *70.6 146 Dec 16 Supplies developing communities with low cost, inflatable solar lights

109 [188]

Leo Group Recycler

Halifax 38% 45.4 71.2 458 Apr 16 Has three renewable energy sites in Belgium

110 [36]

Silverline Tools Tool distributor

Yeovil 38% 13.4 45.3 165 Jul 16 Supplies hand and power tools to eight European countries

Rank [2016 rank]

Company Activity

HQ location

Annual int’l sales

growth over 2

yrs

Int’l sales (£m)

Total sales (£m)

Staff Year end

Comment

111 [109]

Compello Staffing Group Recruitment consultancy

Glasgow 37% *20.2 *64.5 165 May 16 Has offices across America and the Middle East

112 [198]

First Point Group Technology recruitment consultancy

Central London

37% 55.4 63.7 114 Apr 16 Its staff speak more than 20 languages

113 [81]

Balmoral Group Polymer engineer and manufacturer

Aberdeen 37% 103.7 134.5 576 Mar 16

Demand from offshore oilfields in Brazil and West Africa are sustaining overseas sales

114 [89]

Ralawise.com Clothing distributor

Flintshire 37% 18.8 104.8 456 Dec 15 Supplies branded clothing to more than 15,000 resellers across Europe

115

Evolution Foods Health foods retailer

Shropshire 36% 2.7 41.8 116 Jun 16 Exports its packs of dried fruits, nuts and healthy snacks to Europe

116

The SR Group

Recruitment consultancy

Central London

36% *21.8 *49.0 304 Dec 16

Acquired New York-based recruitment firm Maximum Management Corporation last year

117

The Change Organisation

IT distributor Kent 36% 5.1 33.2 39 Mar 16

Its warehouse in Kent supplies IT hardware to resellers across Britain and Europe

118 [117]

Charles Faram Hop merchant

Worcs 36% 13.2 34.1 43 Jun 16 Exports hops to brewers in 47 countries

119 [123]

MVF Digital marketing agency

North London 36% 18.9 39.0 268 Mar 16

Sales in the US almost doubled following the launch of its first overseas office in Texas

120

Wyke Farms Cheesemaker

Somerset 35% 8.4 67.5 247 Mar 16 Its award-winning cheddars are sold around the world, from Sierra Leone to Seoul

121

Econ Engineering Commercial vehicle manufacturer

North Yorkshire

35% 2.8 25.3 188 Mar 16

Exports its snow ploughs and gritters to countries such as Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine

122

Green Park Recruitment consultancy

Central London

35% 1.4 25.9 32 Jan 16 Has placed interim senior executives in more than 55 countries

123 [128]

Citywire

Financial publisher Central London

35% 12.9 31.9 191 Dec 15

Publishes 11 magazines, runs 42 websites and holds more than 100 events a year in 18 countries

124 [63]

Connect Distribution Services Appliance parts distributor

Birmingham 35% 6.2 97.6 585 Apr 16 Operates multiple spare parts ordering websites in Europe

125 [58]

Dragonfly Venture Group Branded footwear manufacturer

St Albans 34% 55.1 74.8 15 Mar 16 Set up a US subsidiary last year to sell its branded footwear directly to retailers

126

JDM Food Group

Food producer Lincolnshire 34% *2.9 *40.4 296 Dec 16

Won business in Australia after attending trade shows in Amsterdam

127

Pukka Herbs Herbal tea maker

Bristol 34% *14.9 *28.3 95 Aug 16 More than a million cups of Pukka tea are drunk around the world every day

128 [103]

Rapha Cycling apparel maker and retailer

North London 33% *48.1 *63.2 400 Jan 17 Plans to have 20 stores on four continents by the end of the year

Rank [2016 rank]

Company Activity

HQ location

Annual int’l sales

growth over 2

yrs

Int’l sales (£m)

Total sales (£m)

Staff Year end

Comment

129

eBECS

Business software developer

Chesterfield 33% 7.3 33.1 297 Mar 16 International clients include Marc Jacobs, Amec and Britax

130 [97]

Total Media Group Media agency

Central London

33% *29.0 *65.0 114 Dec 16

Helped launch Lenovo's Moto mobile phones in Europe, the Middle East and Africa

131

Teneo IT services consultancy

Reading 33% 15.4 29.2 75 Jun 16 Bought a consultancy in Nebraska this year, which doubles its US headcount

132

Preqin

Data services provider Central London

33% *24.0 *27.9 284 Dec 16 Its data is used by investors in more than 90 countries

133 [60]

Mobica Software engineer and tester

Cheshire 32% *41.7 *47.5 1,000 Dec 16 Eighty percent of its 1,000-strong staff work in offices in Poland, the US and Mexico

134

The Michael's Pitta Group Flatbread bakery

North London 32% 7.2 42.3 412 May 16 Much of its bread sold in Europe gets baked in Amsterdam

135 [101]

HH Global Marketing services provider

South London 31% *206.4 *267.3 805 Mar 17 Opened eight offices in Latin America last year

136

Winning Moves Games maker

Central London

31% 13.6 27.9 115 Mar 16

Has opened offices across Europe, India and Australia to sell its games to retailers worldwide

137 [183]

MPM Products Pet food producer

Macclesfield 31% *27.9 *47.4 56 Dec 16 Exports premium pet food to 46 countries

138

Space.NK

Beauty product retailer Central London

31% 12.8 86.5 442 Mar 16

Concessions in US department store Bloomingdale's have helped boost overseas growth

139 [132]

Amoria Bond Recruitment consultancy

Manchester 30% *23.3 *38.1 120 Nov 16 Overseas clients include Honda, Alstom and Bosch

140 [113]

AMG Vango

Camping outdoor supplier

Port Glasgow 30% 3.7 35.2 92 Dec 15

Its Vango range is popular in Germany, Benelux, the Czech Republic and South Korea

141 [114]

Vue International Cinema operator

West London 30% 443.1 772.5 9,453 Nov 16 Operates 211 sites and 1,875 cinema screens across 10 countries

142 [45]

BPD Building product manufacturer

Cheshire 30% 4.9 29.4 279 Mar 16 Its protective membranes are sold throughout Europe

143

Foster + Partners Architect

Southwest London

29% 233.0 257.1 1,480 Apr 16

Designed Apple Park, a ring-shaped office complex in California, which opened in April

144

Osprey Europe Backpack distributor

Poole 29% 18.3 25.9 40 Jul 16

Opened a showroom in Munich last year and its main distribution centre is in the Netherlands

145

Supremia

Marketing services provider

Northwest London

29% 40.7 43.4 98 Mar 16 Produces 32m bags a year for Diageo's Crown Royal whisky across North America

146 [30]

Advanced Insulation Insulation product manufacturer

Gloucester 29% *52.6 *58.8 422 Sep 16 Has subsidiaries around the world including in Brazil, the US and South Korea

147 [77]

Jon Richard Jewellery retailer

Manchester 29% 3.4 32.9 566 Feb 16 Operates concessions in Debenhams stores across the Middle East

Rank [2016 rank]

Company Activity

HQ location

Annual int’l sales

growth over 2

yrs

Int’l sales (£m)

Total sales (£m)

Staff Year end

Comment

148

CVP

Audio-visual equipment supplier

Warwickshire 29% 12.5 71.2 113 May 16 Sells broadcast equipment to Europe, America, the Far East and Africa

149

FIRST Events organiser

Central London

29% *26.9 *34.6 150 Sep 16

Created an event in New York for AOL, with performances by Snoop Dogg and Demi Lovato

150 [159]

Pret Sandwich shop operator

Central London

28% 202.2 776.2 10,42

6 Dec 16

Has opened its first outlet in Singapore this year

151

Mind Gym

Corporate learning provider

Central London

28% 15.2 25.0 158 Mar 16

Offers 250 classes a week to global companies from its offices in New York, Dubai and Singapore

152

Sapphire Systems Systems integrator

Central London

28% 7.1 27.1 193 Mar 16 Its software is used by small and medium businesses in more than 50 countries

153 [193]

Les Caves de Pyrene Wine distributor

Surrey 28% 4.5 28.8 128 Mar 16

Has expanded to Spain, Australia and Italy, where it is a distributor of artisan wines

154

Boss Design Group Office furniture manufacturer

Dudley 27% 11.2 42.0 252 Mar 16 Manufactures on four continents and supplies more than 30 countries

155 [104]

Specialist People Services HR services provider

Bradford 27% 4.9 46.1 199 Mar 16 Its Driver Hire Australia business has offices in four cities in the country

156 [87]

Preston Board & Packaging Paper product manufacturer

Preston 27% 2.0 26.5 156 Dec 15 Its mill exports cardboard to Europe and the Middle East

157

MSI Group Recruitment consultancy

Central London

27% *3.7 *61.9 165 Dec 16 Recruits staff for the healthcare industry across 15 countries

158

Inside Ideas Group Marketing services provider

Central London

27% *8.8 *68.7 700 Jun 16 Has more than 70 marketing teams across 32 countries

159

Gtech Appliance manufacturer

Worcester 26% *5.0 *91.2 138 Nov 16 Has sold more than 22m domestic appliances in 19 countries

160

Wozair Ventilation equipment maker

Kent 26% 36.3 39.5 182 Dec 15 Has factories in the UK, Singapore, Malaysia, the US and South Korea

161

Bullitt Group Consumer electronics designer

Reading 26% *92.1 *99.7 98 Dec 16 Has offices in the US and China and sells to more than 70 countries

162 [16]

Arena Group

Event services provider Southwest London

26% 47.8 85.8 778 Dec 15

Bought a Hong Kong-based marquee company last year, anticipating the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

163

Fishawack Healthcare communications agency

Cheshire 26% 24.8 25.3 216 Mar 16

Works with 15 of the world’s top 20 pharmaceutical firms, including GSK, Sanofi and Novartis

164 [170]

Travel Counsellors Travel services provider

Manchester 25% *37.9 *188.3 284 Oct 16 Has more than 1,600 home-based "travel counsellors" in seven countries

165 [160]

The Little Group Book, film and music wholesaler

Eastbourne 24% 83.5 236.1 956 Feb 16 Supplies retailers internationally from more than 500,000 products

Rank [2016 rank]

Company Activity

HQ location

Annual int’l sales

growth over 2

yrs

Int’l sales (£m)

Total sales (£m)

Staff Year end

Comment

166

Morris & Company Conglomerate

Shrewsbury 24% 3.6 47.9 693 Mar 16

Exports lighting towers, operating at temperatures from 30°C to -40°C, to 20 countries

167 [79]

Redeem

Electronic device recycler

West Lothian 24% 55.4 80.2 289 Mar 16

Its Macclesfield facility processes 200,000 handsets a month for European customers

168

Ligentia Supply chain manager

Leeds 24% 24.9 85.7 333 Dec 16 Helps move more than 10,000 tonnes of goods around the world each year

169 [165]

Caffè Nero Coffee house operator

Central London

24% *42.3 *299.0 4,500 May 16 Has 11 coffee shops in the US, situated in and around Boston

170

Claranet IT services provider

Central London

23% 58.4 152.5 980 Jun 16 Expanded out of Europe with the purchase of Brazil-based CredibiliT in December 2016

171

CDE Global

Processing equipment manufacturer

County Tyrone 23% *31.0 *53.4 186 Dec 16 Its custom-built equipment is sold to more than 70 countries

172 [147]

Aktrion Outsourcing provider

Hertfordshire 23% 13.3 103.5 3,027 Apr 16 Counts many of Europe's major car manufacturers among its customers

173 [141]

Grey Matter

Business software reseller

Devon 23% 5.2 35.9 88 Jun 16

Is the only authorised Microsoft Bing Maps distributor for Europe and Asia Pacific

174

Kinapse Pharmaceutical regulations consultancy

Southwest London

22% 20.6 26.9 494 Mar 16 Works with nine of the world’s top 10 pharmaceutical companies

175

Practicus Management consultancy

Henley 22% *10.0 *51.2 138 Dec 16

Opened an office in Hong Kong in 2013, which generated £3m overseas sales last year

176

Frontier Economics Economics consultancy

Central London

22% 16.6 33.7 184 Apr 16 Opening offices in Paris and Berlin this year

177

AKA Marketing communications network

Central London

22% 38.9 78.7 323 Dec 15 Worked with the San Francisco Ballet to promote its 2017 season

178

Severn Glocon Industrial valve manufacturer

Gloucester 21% 100.1 115.9 908 Dec 15 Has a manufacturing site in India and a testing centre in Canada

179

Swan Mill Holdings

Paper tableware manufacturer

Kent 21% 9.1 54.4 288 Mar 16 Manufactures paper tableware and crackers in the UK and Hong Kong

180

Supreme Imports Battery and lighting wholesaler

Manchester 20% 12.2 59.0 79 Mar 16 Manufactures batteries and lighting via joint ventures in China

181

IESA Supply chain manager

Warrington 20% 9.8 178.5 368 Mar 16

Manages more than 200 stores for customers across Germany, Ireland and the UK

182

The Burden Group Food wholesaler

Central London

20% 15.9 142.9 131 Jan 16

Supplies ferries and cruise lines, such as Carnival, with more than 3,000 food and drink products

183 [162]

The Swift Group Caravan and motorhome manufacturer

East Yorkshire 20% 17.9 252.0 1,088 Aug 16 A new £8m factory will help meet both international and domestic demand

Rank [2016 rank]

Company Activity

HQ location

Annual int’l sales

growth over 2

yrs

Int’l sales (£m)

Total sales (£m)

Staff Year end

Comment

184 [150]

Nylacast Plastics engineer

Leicester 20% *29.3 *35.0 460 Dec 16 This British manufacturer exports to 49 countries, with China a key market

185 [151]

Peak Scientific Gas generator manufacturer

Renfrewshire 19% *40.3 *46.1 360 Sep 16 Makes a range of gas generators for labs on every continent

186 [43]

Entier

Facilities services provider

Aberdeen 19% 16.6 44.9 411 Sep 16 Provides catering services to clients in 26 countries

187 [153]

Odgers Berndtson Recruitment consultancy

Central London

19% 20.1 103.4 532 Apr 16

Bought the shares it did not own in its Hong Kong, Shanghai and Vietnam operations in 2015

188

Bob Martin Pet care product manufacturer

Somerset 19% 9.2 48.1 240 Dec 15

Expanded in Europe by acquiring Nestlé Purina's PetCare line of pet food and accessories in 2016

189

Cultech

Dietary supplement manufacturer

Port Talbot 18% *13.5 *26.3 249 Dec 16 Sells its dietary supplements across four continents

190

musicMagpie.co.uk Online entertainment trader

Cheshire 18% †27.2 †78.2 811 May 16 Trades in the US through its sister site, Decluttr.com

191

Nasmyth Group

Precision component manufacturer

Coventry 18% 14.7 60.1 779 Jan 16

Has operations in France, the US and India to supply the local aerospace industries

192

Usborne Publishing Children's book publisher

Central London

17% 39.0 60.0 231 Jan 16 Publishes children's books in more than 100 languages

193 [118]

BrewDog Brewery

Aberdeenshire 17% *13.4 *71.9 650 Dec 16

Plans to open The DogHouse hotel in Columbia, Ohio, featuring beer spa treatments

194 [194]

Barber's

Cheesemaker Somerset 17% 14.7 84.0 280 Mar 16

Says it is the No 1 exporter of English cheddar into the US

195

Knights of Old Logistics services provider

Northamptonshire

17% 9.9 52.3 467 May 16 Is a partner in a 500-strong network of European logistics companies

196 [111]

Lewis Communications

Communications agency

Central London

17% 45.0 52.0 547 Jul 16 In November it opened a New York office, its fifth in the US

197

NPW Gift maker

Southwest London

17% 13.9 25.2 91 Feb 16 Supplies American retailers such as Old Navy and Urban Outfitters

198 [182]

Fox International Group Fishing tackle supplier

Essex 17% *24.7 *35.3 116 Dec 16 Snapped up Salmo, a Polish fishing bait company, in 2016

199

Beggars Group Music producer

Southwest London

16% *21.4 *26.7 149 Dec 16 Has released five number one albums in the US since 2010

200

Bamboo Distribution

Electronic device recycler

Hertfordshire 16% 13.6 28.4 69 Jun 16 Taiwanese iPhone manufacturer Foxconn owns a 20% stake in the business

* Supplied by the company † Annualised figure