Member Article

Vanilla Tastes Success in Enterprise Software Sector

One of the UK’s leading enterprise software specialists increased turnover by almost 50 per cent to announce record results for 2017.

Vanilla Solutions which specialises in IFS Applications consultancy and related technology platforms, reported that turnover increased by nearly 50 per cent in 2017 to £3.5m (£2.4m,2016) with the key drivers of growth being expansion in the construction, engineering and offshore markets.

The company saw UK sales increase by 66 per cent in the period and was pleased to report a 23 per cent uplift in sales in mainland Europe. Gross profit remained at the same level as 2016, and profit before tax was 34 per cent.

Jason Belcher, Director, said: “Vanilla Solutions has delivered outstanding financial results for the last seven years and continues to grow rapidly by providing our clients with knowledge, clarity and certainty to deliver their operational goals”

“We are delighted to report exceptionally strong growth figures in the UK and pleased that our business in Europe is now also accelerating. Our order book for 2018 is already starting out on the same trajectory and we are forecasting a modest growth as we consolidate our position with our chosen partners and within our key markets.”

2017 witnessed a number of key contract wins. Skanska, one of the world’s leading project development and construction groups, appointed Vanilla Solutions as systems integrator, for the rollout of IFS Applications. Vanilla will work alongside the Skanska team to deliver these solutions into the Highways Business throughout the UK.

EPS Water, an innovative provider of products and services to the water, wastewater and clean technology sectors, selected Vanilla Solutions’ Novacura Flow to improve processes and leverage mobile working.

Finally, ALE Heavylift, one of the largest heavy transportation and lifting contractors in the world, selected Vanilla Solutions’ market leading data analytics tool Qlik Sense to provide management information to all branch, regional and group teams across the globe.

Employee numbers rose by c30% during the period due to the recruitment of key management and professional posts. The company now employs nearly 30 full time staff and expects numbers to rise marginally in 2018 to support continued growth.

Jason added: “Recruitment was an important aspect of our business strategy in the last 12 months. We have continued to invest in high-tech talent, only recruiting people who are highly experienced and can deliver our trademark standards of performance, delivery and service.”

Vanilla is one of the leading providers of IFS Applications-related services in Europe and provides consultancy, support and products to the wider ERP market.

The company was founded in 2009 by directors Jason Belcher and Andy Bell, both of whom had long careers working in IT, and with IFS Applications in particular.

Vanilla seeks to empower its customers, bringing knowledge, clarity and certainty to complex ERP and business change projects. Renowned for its jargon-free, no-nonsense approach, Vanilla has been successful in winning business in both the blue-chip and SME sectors.

Clients include BAE Systems, Ultra Electronics, Babcock, Skanska UK & Largo Foods, and the company employs 27 people across the UK and their two offices (Grimsby and Newcastle).

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Vanilla Solutions .