Today we can reveal the North East’s most successful business innovators, disruptors and game changers, with the definitive list of the fastest-growing companies in the region for 2019.
Organised by Ward Hadaway and backed by The Journal, the list highlights and celebrates the achievements of those profitable, privately-owned companies in the region who have grown their turnover by the largest amount.
This year’s Ward Hadaway North East Fastest 50 spans a wide range of sectors from construction and engineering to digital agencies and online retailers.
Damien Charlton, partner in the commercial team at Ward Hadaway, said; “The Fastest 50 is a firm fixture in the region’s business calendar and a barometer of commercial success.
“It’s fantastic to see such a broad range of sectors represented in this year’s list, with many of the region’s established businesses holding firm, as well as emerging names entering the top 50.
“All of those listed here have consistently grown their businesses over several years whilst remaining profitable – something which we can all applaud. They are the innovators, the companies that don’t stand still, no matter what challenges they face. They help attract investment, generating wealth and creating employment across the North East.”
The 2019 Ward Hadaway Fastest 50 has been compiled using publicly available information from Companies House and is independently verified.
Following today’s publication of the full A to Z list, the Fastest 50 Awards will take place at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead on October 11, when the winners of the Fastest 50 will be revealed. Attendance at the event is by invitation only.
Awards will be given to the fastest growing small, medium and large business with one of the three winners going on to be named the overall fastest growing North East business for 2019.
Here is the Fastest 50 for 2019 in alphabetical order:
A&J Scott, Alnwick
This family owned independent sawmill was established in 1960 and supplies timber for a variety of uses in outdoor and garden products, fencing, landscaping, DIY and pallet and packaging sectors. It is also a timber merchant, providing hardwood logs.
Adderstone 1993 Limited, Newcastle
Adderstone 1993 Limited is a company that is part of the wider Adderstone Group of property investment, development, contracting and management businesses. It last appeared in the Fastest 50 list in 2016.
Alexander Technologies, Peterlee
This company, which was founded over 40 years ago, design and manufacture rechargeable batteries, chargers and battery maintenance equipment.
Arcinova, Alnwick
This contract development and manufacturing business works with global pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients on drug development with expertise in drug substance synthesis and manufacturing scale up, drug product manufacture, bioanalytical services and radiolabelling synthesis.
Cleveland Cable Company, Middlesbrough
This cable supplier was founded in 1978 and now employs over 450 staff across eight branches around the country. It was ranked third in the 2009 Fastest 50 list.
Crafter’s Companion, Newton Aycliffe
Sara Davies, now a Dragon on BBC2’s Dragons Den, started this company whilst at university. As well as a range of crafting tools, their product range has grown to include stamps, dies, colouring mediums and fabrics and sewing tools. It now has more than 190 staff and have just opened an office in California.
Cussins, Alnwick
Housebuilder Cussins makes the list for a second year in a row, after being named the third fastest growing company in the large business category in 2018. Established in 1922, the first homes built by Philip Cussins still stand in Gosforth.
DC Handrails and Ironwork Parts, Swalwell
This company make the Fastest 50 list for an impressive fifth year in a row. Family run, since 1997, it supplies wrought iron and handrail components throughout the Ƶ.
DFP Services, Durham
DFP return to the Fastest 50 list for the second year in a row. It provides fire alarm systems, gas, plumbing and heating services throughout the country, from their Durham HQ and two regional hubs, in Leeds and Manchester.
Dunelm Geotechnical & Environmental, Durham
Returning to the Fastest 50 list for a second year in a row, Dunelm provides geotechnical investigation services, ranging from small-scale residential developments to large commercial and industrial developments.
eMerchantPay, North Shields
This is the fifth time eMerchantPay have made the Fastest 50 list. It is a payment service provider, partner and specialist which provides international online payment processing services to merchants across the globe.
END., Newcastle
This designer menswear retailer has stores on Grainger Street in Newcastle, Glasgow and London as well as an online presence. It makes the list for the fourth time in a row, after being crowned the regions fastest growing large company last year.
Exwold, Wilton
Established in 1992, this company formulates and processes speciality chemicals for multi-national chemical and agrochemical companies.
Fentimans, Hexham
With a 100-year history since the first Fentimans ginger beer was brewed, this family business now makes and supplies a range of 35 soft drinks, mixers and pre-mixed alcoholic drinks and craft beers. It last appeared in the Fastest 50 list in 2009.
FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies Ƶ Limited, Billingham
This contract development and manufacturing organisation has offices in the Ƶ, USA and Denmark, and works with other businesses in the pharmaceutical industry to develop and manufacture recombinant proteins, viral vaccines and gene therapies.
Geoffrey Robinson, Billingham
This family business was founded in 1971 and has grown to be one of the region’s largest mechanical and electrical building services contractors.
Groundwork Services (Durham) Ltd, Durham
Appearing in the Fastest 50 list for the second year in a row, this family run civil engineering contractor provides a range of civil engineering and bulk earthwork services, plant and machinery hire, as well as the construction of synthetic and natural grass playing surfaces.
Heliguy, North Shields
Drone specialist Heliguy supplies a range of drones, gimbals, accessories and cameras, as well as offering sales advices, equipment, support, training, loss adjustment assessment and insurance advice.
Hitachi Construction Machinery (Ƶ), Hebburn
This company supplies mini, medium, large and wheeled excavators, wheel loaders, parts, servicing and 24/7 support to the Ƶ and Irish construction industry, with national coverage from its ten depots and appointed sub-dealers in Ireland. It also appeared in the Fastest 50 list in 2014 and 2015.
Hodgson Fish, Hartlepool
Appearing in the Fastest 50 list for a sixth time are this Hartlepool based fish merchants. Established in 1916, this family run business supplies seafood to hotels and restaurants throughout the North of England.
IKM Testing Ƶ Limited, Cramlington
IKM Testing was crowned the regions fastest growing company back at the 2012 Awards. It provides pipeline pre-commissioning, commissioning and maintenance services to local and global onshore and offshore clients.
Ionbond Ƶ Limited, Consett
Ionbond is a global supplier of PVD, PACVD, CVD and CVA coating technology from offices worldwide.
It’s All Good Limited, Gateshead
This premium snack manufacturer makes tortilla chips, as well as its award-winning Manomasa snack range for major Ƶ retailers.
JT Atkinson, Middlesbrough
This family owned independent builder’s merchant has over 150 years’ experience in the supply of building materials, with 29 branches located throughout the North of England. The company also appeared in the Fastest 50 last year and 2011.
Katmex Holdings Ltd, Stockton-on-Tees
Holding company for Katmex Ltd and Maskell Engineering who specialise in supplying the heavy earthmoving and construction machine manufacturers around Europe. Parts supplied are mostly for use in the manufacture of excavators, dumptrucks, backloaders, loading shovels, fork lifts and cranes.
Komatsu, Chester le Street
This manufacturer last appeared in the Fastest 50 list in 2008. It makes medium-size and large crawler excavators and working gear excavators.
Lucion Services, Gateshead
This company delivers risk and asbestos management services to businesses in multiple sectors across the country.
Maxim Facilities Management, Sunderland
This Sunderland headquarted facilities management company works with a range of private and public sector clients and also has offices in Motherwell, Bradford and Swindon.
Mediaworks, Gateshead
Digital marketing agency Mediaworks returns to the Fastest 50 list after last appearing in 2015, when it was crowned the region’s fastest growing small company.
Merit Holdings Ltd, Cramlington
This engineering and construction company offers a complete turnkey solution which includes design and build, feasibility studies, complete civils and structural construction, HVAC, M+E, process systems design & installation, equipment move-in and hook-up and basic office construction and furniture installation. It also appeared in the Fastest 50 list in 2009 and were large company winners in 2008.
NBT Group, Killingworth
Last year’s fastest growing company overall return to the Fastest 50 list. It provides stock control through the use of storeroom management and intelligent vending machines.
Newton Hall, Alnwick
This hotel hosts weddings, private parties and corporate events.
Northern Gas & Power, Gateshead
This energy management consultancy and procurement company works with businesses to reduce the amount of energy they use and its wholesale cost.
Polar Krush, Ashington
Another business returning to the Fastest 50 list for a second year in a row, Polar Krush is a manufacturer of iced drinks and iced drinks machines, with over 25 years of experience in the market.
Powertool World, Newton Aycliffe
Family owned Powertool World began in 1998, when founder Chris Guy started out selling fittings and fixings to job sites. Seeing a gap in the market for quick access to power tools, he added them to his portfolio before moving online due to demand.
Process Control Equipment, Stockton-on-Tees
This family-run business began in 1980 and is a supplier to the petrochemical, oil and gas, power, pharmaceutical, food and beverage industries.
Royston Power Generation Limited, Newcastle
Specialists in diesel power sales, repair and maintenance, this company also appeared in the 2008 and 2013 Fastest 50 lists.
Saft Batteries, South Shields
This battery manufacturer supplies a range of sectors including oil and gas, aerospace and defence and utilities.
SaleCycle, Houghton-le-Spring
This behavioural marketing software company was founded in 2010 has clients including French Connection, Hertz and Nike.
Scott Logic, Newcastle
This company creates software applications for clients in a range of sectors including finance, energy, healthcare and oil and gas. It marks a hat-trick of appearances in the Fastest 50 this year.
Sweetdreams Ltd, Cramlington
This family business has been manufacturing confectionery in the North East for over 30 years. Its products include the well-known brand, Choc Nibbles.
Templeman Retailing & Vending Limited, Gateshead
From its headquarters on the Team Valley, Templeman supply vending machines and are suppliers of soft drinks, confectionery, snacks and teas and coffees to wholesalers, cash and carrys and foodservice outlets. This is its third appearance in the Fastest 50.
Thomas Sherriff and Co Limited, Hexham
Thomas Sherriff & Co was first established as a machinery manufacturer and dealer in 1816. The groundcare division of Sherriffs started selling and servicing John Deere commercial and consumer equipment in 1988 from seven branches throughout the country.
tombola, Sunderland
tombola and its associated companies have been involved in bingo for 50 years, initially supplying tickets to bingo halls. They are one of the leading players in the Ƶ online bingo market, also launching online sites in Spain and Italy. This is the seventh time it has made the Fastest 50 list.
Total Resources (Ƶ) Limited, Boldon
Total Resources was named the region’s fastest growing small company at last year’s Awards. It is are a provider of temporary traffic management solutions, ranging from the design and installation of temporary traffic management schemes to portable lights.
Tyne Gangway, Newcastle
Established in 1934, this company designs and manufactures marine access equipment, including aluminium gangways, accommodation ladders, shore based pedestrian access equipment and special structures.
Ward Bros. (Steel) Ltd, Newcastle
This Newcastle based company was established in 1974 and specialises in processing and recycling of ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metals. It also has offices in Sunderland and Darlington. It also appeared in the 2012 Fastest 50 list.
Washington Metalworks, Gateshead
Based in Gateshead, this company offers sheet metal fabrication services, including Laser Cutting, CNC Punching, CNC Machining and Powder Coating capabilities.
Whitehead Alloys Ltd, Middlesbrough
Whitehead Alloys are manufacturers of deox aluminium and specification aluminium ingots.
Workwear Express, Durham
Returning to the Fastest 50 list for an incredible sixth year in a row, Workwear Express has grown to become a major supplier of more than 7,000 workwear and related products to over 200,000 customers across the Ƶ and overseas.
