22 Good things come in small packages
Last month The Business Magazine launched the SME 100, an annual listing of the top SMEs in the Thames Valley. Supported by Santander Corporate Banking, Haines Watts business advisers and chartered accountants and Clifton Ingram solicitors, the list highlights the most successful private, independent small and medium-sized businesses in the region ranked by turnover. The top 10 companies in this year’s list cover a diverse range of sectors, from motor dealerships to recruitment, and from telecoms to bakers, and demonstrate how vibrant the Thames Valley business community is. The Business Magazine takes a closer look at the top 10 companies and how they came to be there
1 = Swain & Jones
At joint number one is Farnham-based car dealership Swain & Jones. Established in 1908, it is one of the oldest remaining family-run car dealerships in the country and specialises in Jaguar and Land Rover sales and service. It achieved sales of £9.94 million to the end of December 2010, employing 43 people across the business, from its multi-award winning sales team to its highly skilled and experienced team of service technicians.
Peter Lewis-Jones, chairman of Swain & Jones, said: “Established in 1908 in Farnham, by the grandfather of the present chairman, Swain & Jones uses the experience that only 104 years of business can provide to ensure that its clients receive an outstanding experience when either purchasing or owning a Jaguar or Land Rover vehicle.
“The success of the company over the years has been due to the combination of unbeatable experience and customer service provided by staff who are committed to giving customers a unique personal and professional experience.”
Details:
www.swainandjones.co.uk
1 = Jointing Technologies Acquisitions
Sharing the number one spot is Jointing Technologies, the UK’s leading distributor of power cable accessories, electric underfloor heating, high-voltage components and Raychem trace heating systems. Based in Woking, with centres in Woking, Bristol and Wolverhampton, the company experienced £9.94m turnover to the end of December 2009, employing 40 staff.
Martin Parker, sales and marketing manager at Jointing Technologies, said: “We work in partnership with market-leading manufacturers to service the core electricity segments to ensure that the right products are selected and the best technical advice offered relative to each application. Jointing Technologies are uniquely positioned from
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our head office in Woking to service the south east and the UK’s largest Distribution Network Operator (DNO) UK Power Networks.
“The success of Jointing Technologies can be attributed to our key supplier relationships, product/market knowledge and a commitment to stock but more importantly by putting our customers first. We are very proud to receive this listing from The Business Magazine and will strive to be the Thames Valley’s No. 1 SME company again next year.”
Details:
www.jointingtech.co.uk 3 DVD Technology
At number three is Reading-based DVD Technology, one of Europe’s leading distributors of recordable storage products, small domestic appliances, personal grooming products and many other product categories. To August 31, 2010 it had a turnover of £9.91m and a workforce of 19, the fewest number of employees in the top 10 list.
Established in 1998, the company has changed direction over the past few years. Keith Davis, managing director of DVD Technology, said: “Our original success was down to the optical storage market which we were very fortunate to get in at the very start. Over the last couple of years we have evolved as a company and our product portfolio has changed many times but always staying with the latest technology.
“We have recently moved from Woodley to Reading Approach to brand new larger premises with showroom facilities which has helped us recruit more staff and has allowed us to grow our business with major retailers such as Makro, Asda and Maplins.
“We hope to increase sales this year by over 30% with the introduction of new sales staff and two new business development managers and the introduction of consumer lighting products. We will also be looking to change our company name in 2012 to something that best suits our business moving forward.”
Details:
www.dvdtech.com
4 AP Connections (Connections Recruitment)
Winnersh-based AP Connections, a privately- owned company trading as Connections Recruitment, takes the number four spot. Established in 1988, the company specialises in recruiting permanent and contract staff for the technology and engineering sectors. It saw turnover of £9.86m to the end of December 2010, employing 43 people.
Alex Mauree, managing director of Connections, who has enjoyed a 14 year career with the company, said: “Connections Recruitment is recognised as a highly respected and successful organisation that develops long term relationships with an impressive client base. It is the UK’s leading supplier of leading technology skills such as AGILE.”
Mauree attributes the success of the business to developing great staff and creating a winning culture: “Hard work, amazing rewards and quality services make Connections an outstanding partner and a great employer. We enjoy significant advantages from having our Thames Valley operation located at IQ Winnersh, with high-quality offices and an easily accessible location in the proximity of many clients.
“To be one of the top SMEs in the Thames Valley is a huge achievement for Connections.”
Details:
www.connectionsrecruit.co.uk 5 Southern Business Technologies
Southern Business Technologies, trading as Southern Communications, takes fifth place on the list. The telecoms services provider based in Dummer, near Basingstoke, had a turnover of £9.82m to March 31, 2010.
Established in 1965, Southern Communications is one of the oldest business telecoms specialists in the UK, providing businesses in the south with low-cost telephone calls and line rental, phone systems, mobiles and high-speed broadband connections. An aggressive growth plan has seen turnover rise from £4m in 2007 to
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – DECEMBER 11/JANUARY 12
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