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Four North East firms among Britain’s 100 fastest-growing SME exporters

Four North East companies will feature in this year’s Sunday Times Lloyds SME Export Track 100 league, published this weekend.

Now in its third year, the table ranks Britain’s small and medium-sized (SME) companies with the fastest-growing international sales.

The four companies in the region, which include three new entrants to the list, have grown their international sales by an average of 71% a year over the last two years to a total of £21m, and together they now employ more than 250 people.

The region’s top-ranked company, featuring at number 15 in the list, is marketing technology developer Salecycle.

Technology developed by the Tyne and Wear business encourages online shoppers to complete abandoned transactions. With a 113% international sales growth over 2 years, the business’ exports hit £3.7m last year.

Northumberland-headquartered drinks manufacturer Fentimans, found at number 30 in the list, is another new entrant in the 100.

Creating its mixers and soft drinks since 1905, the company started focusing on exports six years ago. Its strong sales in the US, Belgium and Austria helped overseas sales grow to £5.9m in 2015 and achieve 80% international sales growth over 2 years.

At number 52 in the list is the increasingly-popular Crafter’s Companion, a craft products retailer based in Durham.

As well as achieving 55% international sales growth over 2 years and reporting international sales growth of £6m, founder Sara Davies is also a regular face on US home shopping channels.

Specialist valves supplier Process Control Equipment, based in Stockton, completes the entrants from the region, with exports of £5.9m.

Gareth Oakley, managing director SME banking at Lloyds Banking Group, the title sponsor, commented: “For businesses that take the leap to trade overseas, the rewards can be significant – the strong growth achieved by this year’s SME Export Track 100 is proof of that.

“At Lloyds Banking Group we are committed to helping businesses scale-up and trade internationally, and have pledged to help 5,000 first-time exporters every year until 2020 in support of this. Our International Trade Portal is a valuable source of insight for any businesses looking to explore overseas options”.

International Trade Secretary Liam Fox said: “Companies are seizing the huge international demand for innovative UK products and services.

“We want more businesses to take advantage of this global opportunity, which is why we’re supporting the SMEExport Track 100 and why we launched our new trade hub, great.gov.uk, providing free local advice, financial and regulatory support and live export opportunities to businesses across the UK.”

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