54 HOT 100


36 2023: 64 Warrantywise, Blackburn 39 39 2023: 97 Ruttle Group, Chorley


The Ruttle Group, which operates branches in Chorley, Preston, Birmingham and Chesterfield, offers plant including heavy haulage, tippers and dozers for hire and for sale. The group also includes a contracting division specialising in remediation and earthworks, and its increase in pre-tax profits – up by £1m – is largely a result of the recent introduction of waste management services.


Warrantywise offers warranty plans for vehicles where the manufacturer’s warranty has expired. Plans are sold directly to customers and indirectly via motor dealerships. The company was able to boost its revenues by more than 20 per cent by broadening the variety of vehicles covered, which now includes classic, prestige and agricultural models. Headcount grew again, from 99 two years ago to 149 this year.


35 New entry ACL Wholesale, Blackpool


ACL Wholesale is an independent building materials wholesaler and distributor focused predominantly on catering to trade customers. Its services range from timber cutting, brick matching and paint mixing to project design and support with planning applications.


34 38 38 2023: 69 Engledene, Burnley


Engledene is the parent company of AMS Neve, the manufacturer of world-class audio equipment which has itself won two Oscars, a Grammy and an Emmy for its innovations, and which has been used in the production of many award-winning music tracks. The group also includes The Sutcliffe Tool Company, as well as Landmark Burnley. The latter converted the former Burnley Grammar School building into a business and events hub, which continues to expand and launch new services.


New entry Northern Diver, Chorley


In business for more than 45 years, Northern Diver manufactures and supplies drysuits and other diving-related equipment. The company serves hobbyists, commercial divers, the military and the emergency services. As well as off-the-peg ranges, Northern Diver was the first company of its kind to offer made-to-measure options. The company more than doubled pre- tax profit this year, up from £1.2m to £2.5m.


33 2023: 11 Collinson Holdings, Preston 37 37 2023: 41 Kerax, Chorley


Kerax produces environmentally-friendly wax blends and lubricants used for candles, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, industrial and commercial use. The company developed its own vegetable-derived waxes as an alternative to standard petroleum products and its products are now sold into countries across six continents. During the year, the company completed the acquisition of Moorland Gate Business Park in Chorley, with rental income contributing to total revenues of £39.4m.


One Stop Hire, Chorley


One Stop Hire launched in 2009 with the acquisition of seven depots and today it operates a network of 26 sites offering power tools, access systems, small plant and workwear for hire. The company also operates a training division specialising in health and safety and equipment-related courses. For the year, all regions and all turnover categories saw growth, taking total revenues from £21.9m to £24.5m.


Collinson Holdings is a family-owned group of companies which includes C&C Supplies, a retailer of builders’ materials, kitchens, bathrooms and landscaping items, and J&M Collinson, a haulage contractor with a fleet of 30 wagons. Despite a marginal increase in turnover, the company reported a reduction in pre-tax profit that was significantly impacted by valuations of investments held within the group.


32 2023: 40 30 30 2023: 35 Smiths Equipment Hire, Blackpool


Smiths stocks a range of plant, equipment and DIY tools available for hire across the North of England. An additional training division delivers a range of programmes relating to machinery use and health and safety. The Smith family enterprise began as a coal merchant more than 150 years ago, and has been in the hire business for more than half a century.


31 31 2023: 58 J Wareing & Son, Preston


Wareings designs and manufactures steel- framed structures to be used in agriculture, retail, industrial premises and small offices, especially kit buildings which can be built at its base and assembled at the customer’s site. The business was founded in 1909 and is now overseen by the fifth generation of the Wareing family.


29


29 2023: 38 FX Leisure, Leyland


FX Leisure operates seven gyms under the Gymetc brand and a leisure facility in Warrington operating as Athelis. The company’s revenues were boosted by the fact that it was able to open throughout the year for the first time since the pandemic hit. When gyms were forced to close the company opted not to take payments from members. Membership numbers increased across the year and now exceed 26,000.


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