SOUTH WEST BUSINESS NEWS Local firms make
inform
mark globally Eleven companies headquartered in the South West have been listed on the ninth annual Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200 league table. Track 200 ranks Britain’s mid-market private companies with the fastest-growing international sales. Of the 11 (compared to 16 last
year) five are new entrants to the league table. Their international sales have grown by an average of 67% a year over the past two years to a total of £275m, and they employ more than 4,000 people combined. The new entrants include Falmouth-based Seasalt, which sells its Cornish-inspired clothing to 56 countries, including Germany, its largest export market. Founded in 1981 as a store in Penzance, it grew overseas sales to £2.2m in 2017; it is Cornwall’s only entry this year. Somerset cheesemaker Wyke
Farms features for a second time, after growing its international sales to £11.5m in 2017. It exports 15,000 tonnes of cheese a year – including its award-winning cheddar – to more than 160 countries. Other entrants include Bristol’s Opus Talent Solutions, Dorset’s Osprey Europe and Bath-based Lovehoney.
Sir Vince Cable (sixth from left) visits Lansdown Industrial Estate
Cable visit helps spark interest in electric cars
Sir Vince Cable, leader of the Liberal Democrats and former business secretary, was given the latest insight into the development of electric cars during a recent tour of Lansdown Industrial Estate in Cheltenham. Cleevely Motors is launching vehicle servicing facility
for electric cars at its new unit on the estate, following a deal brokered by Robert Smith of Bruton Knowles. Robert Smith, head of commercial agency at the
firm’s Gloucester office, said: “Sir Vince Cable is a high profile supporter of electric vehicle technology. We believe this is the first example in the region and possibly in the county of a dedicated workshop for electric vehicles. Cleevely Motors are effectively pre-
empting demand by investing in facilities aimed at the next generation in transport.” Cleevely Motors, a family firm established in 1962, is earmarked to lease 4,000sq ft at Lansdown Industrial Estate which will complement its existing servicing business operating from Andover Street in the town. Matt Cleevely, managing director, said: “It is a very
exciting time for both Cleevely Motors Ltd and our new company Cleevely Electrical Vehicles Ltd. “Electric and hybrid vehicles are the next stage of
the automotive story. It was very exciting to have the opportunity to show Sir Vince Cable around, and explain our vision. He was very receptive to our plans due to his interest in the automotive sector.”
8 insight JULY/AUGUST 2018
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