Expert View
RESILIENT ECONOMY BUILDS ON STRENGTHS By Dean Rodgers,
Accounts and advisory director PM+M 90 New entry Wareing Buildings, Kirkham
Wareing Buildings is a long-established specialist in the design, fabrication and construction of steel framed buildings. With more than 110 years of history, it operates in agricultural, commercial and industrial sectors. Gross profits rose by 5.23 per cent to £3.89m.
89 New entry International Tissue, Blackburn
International Tissue Company is a family-owned manufacturer of professional hygiene paper products. It supplies the away-from-home, consumer and private label markets. Revenues increased to £19.7m which represents 28 per cent year on year growth. Headcount grew from 38 to 46 people.
This year’s Hot 100 list presents a picture of steady performance rather than standout disruption.
There are no dramatic shifts in sector dominance or headline-grabbing changes, but that in itself tells an important story.
The consistency in the business mix suggests a resilient regional economy that continues to build on its established strengths, even against a backdrop of wider economic uncertainty.
One of the most notable themes is the continued prominence of manufacturing, which remains a cornerstone of Lancashire’s economic identity.
Alongside construction, it forms the backbone of the list, reflecting both sectors’ ongoing contribution to employment and output across the county.
This is not a new trend, but its persistence reinforces the region’s reputation as a hub for industrial and engineering excellence, supported by a skilled workforce and strong supply chains.
Encouragingly, the overall performance of this year’s Hot 100 points to growth. Increases in total sales, profitability and
86 2025: 87 88 2025: 86
Compass Fuels and Lubricants, Preston
Compass launched in 2009 as third-party broker of oils, alternative fuels and lubricants, before investing to become a distributor in its own right. It serves a nationwide customer base. The company reported a turnover of £38.9m representing a 9.5 per cent increase on the previous year.
87 New entry Next Generation Travel, Blackpool
Next Generation Travel Group specialises in educational travel, delivering school trips, guided tours and learning experiences in the UK and internationally. With more than 35 years’ experience, it designs subject-specific itineraries that enhance learning.
85 New entry Harrisons, Preston
Harrisons Transport provides logistics and haulage services across the UK, offering
Silverwoods Waste Management, Accrington
Silverwoods was formed in 2010 and in 2023 it bought and developed a two-acre, 75,000 tonne waste transfer station at Altham, It handles more than 350,00 tonnes of industrial waste with 100 per cent recovered or recycled It employs 14 team members with more than 50 years of experience.
84 2025: 92 Carvansons, Haslingden
Carvansons is a fourth-generation family-owned fragrance manufacturer creating bespoke perfume and aroma compounds for personal care, household and industrial applications. The business, which was founded in 1941, saw a 20 per cent increase in turnover to £23.34m due to continued planned growth in both UK and overseas markets.
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employee numbers demonstrate that many of these businesses are not just surviving but expanding.
This collective progression, even if not driven by a single standout sector, highlights a broad-based confidence and operational stability among Lancashire’s leading companies.
The inclusion of 36 new entrants also adds an element of dynamism to the list. While the core sectors remain largely unchanged, this turnover indicates a healthy level of competition and evolution within the region’s business community. It suggests that newer or previously smaller businesses are scaling up and making their mark alongside more established players.
Geographically, the concentration of businesses continues to reflect key economic centres, with Preston accounting for 29 of the top 100 and Blackpool contributing 10. This clustering underlines the importance of these locations as commercial hubs within Lancashire.
Overall, while this year’s list may lack a single defining trend, it paints a reassuring picture of stability, growth and enduring industrial strength.
temperature-controlled storage, container haulage and specialist transport solutions. During the year the company saw an increase in turnover from £16.1m to £17.2m.
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HOT 100
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