34 HOT 100


Analysis BUILDING NEW SKILLS WILL BE VITAL FOR US ALL by Prof Simon Bolton Productivity and Innovation Centre, Edge Hill University


Last year was stunted by political and economic uncertainty linked to Brexit, then as the shoots of recovery started to emerge, Covid-19 threw everything into turmoil.


In 2019-20 construction managed to remain the hot sector, followed by manufacturing, the motor trade and property, supported by retailing and leisure.


The coming year will be very challenging for all sectors and businesses. It is predicted that manufacturing, hospitality and the construction sectors will be severely impacted upon by Covid-19.


The focus of many businesses will be on maintaining their current position rather than looking to achieve growth. The lucky ones will be preparing for a rebound when demand returns.


I am anticipating that businesses linked to health and social care will be more resilient and digital based businesses will be able to maintain their market positions - with some seeing growth.


The coming year will be very challenging for all sectors and businesses


Commercially based professional business services will mostly likely grow and organisations that offer flexible online and direct delivery services will start to capture new customers.


72 New entry FSB, Blackpool


The National Federation of Self Employed and Small Businesses was established 45 years ago as a grassroots campaigning group dedicated to championing small businesses throughout the UK, as well as providing products and services to its members. It is involved in a number of ongoing campaigns covering topics as varied as mental health, fair pay and potholes. More than 96 per cent of the organisation’s £26.5m income was made up of membership fees.


71 New entry BS Stainless, Preston


BS Stainless is a stainless-steel specialist which manufactures metal jacketing and ancillary products. Serving a variety of industries including oil and gas, automotive, chemical and construction, the company exports to more than 50 countries. Domestic customers include Balfour Beatty, the National Grid, Network Rail and Shell.


70 New entry


PSL Print Management, Preston


Established in 1987, PSL supplies print and related products throughout the UK and Europe. Services include design, print, and storage from its 40,000sq ft warehouse. It also handles direct mail campaigns and posted out 39 million items last year.


69 New entry


North West Roofing Supplies, Lytham St Annes


North West Roofing Supplies stocks thousands of roofing items, from tiles and slates to roof windows and PVCu products. It has a growing network of branches across the North West


68 2019: 63


Ashvin Metals, Poulton-le-Fylde


Ashvin is a large-scale commercial metal trader processing more than 400 tonnes of metal per week. The operations include Borcan aluminum can recycling depot in Padiham. In the last year, Ashvin invested nearly £1m creating new jobs and acquiring new plant and machinery which will provide additional processing capability and increase the volume of non-ferrous metals that can be handled.


MIPD, Leyland


MIPD is a property development and rental company with a portfolio worth around £6m. The company, registering turnover of £1.8m, maintained 99.5 per cent occupancy for its properties throughout the year.


66 2019: 64


Zircon Holdings, Morecambe


Zircon is a company which oversees John Shaw & Son light commercial vehicle dealership; Morecambe- based Kirkby Lonsdale Coach Hire, which owns a fleet of 22 vehicles from 24 to 70 seats, and Yellow Rose Coaches of Carnforth, which supplies transport for 120 schools.


65 2019: 60


Lifting Gear UK, Skelmersdale


The Lifting Gear group consists of Lifting Gear UK, which is a one-


Achieving recovery through being more agile and resilient will become the priority of many businesses in the forthcoming year. How quickly businesses react to ongoing disruptions will impact on how well they mitigate risk and build resilience.


Working practices have changed for good. We will see an element of bounce-back to some of the old ways, but with restricted mobility and changing customer behaviours, it will mean that we will all need to build new skills at scale to support new working practices.


The new strategic norm with be the “fast twitch” (rapid response approach) driven by real-time monitoring of microdata to help manage uncertainty. Next year’s Hot 100 will most likely to be populated by businesses who can better manage changing customer requirements, ensure the relevancy of their business offers and maximise their productivity.


and serves a national customer base through its freight service.


67 New entry


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72