Six very different companies from the Bath area have been named among 1,000 of the UK’s most inspiring small and medium-sized businesses.
1pm, AlertSystems, Francis Flower, Image Factory, London & Country Mortgages and Mirage Inks appear in the London Stock Exchange Group’s latest 1000 Companies list, which celebrates the most dynamic SMEs in the UK.
The respected annual report, now in its fifth edition, examines in detail the opportunities and challenges facing SMEs and looks at the sectors and trends that will shape the future of the British and economy.
To be included in the list, companies need to show consistent revenue growth over a minimum of three years and a significant outperformance of their industry peers.
1pm, the Bath-based specialist lender to growing small and medium-sized firms, appears on the list having grown rapidly over recent years and securing new sources of finance for further expansion.
The firm, which listed on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM market in 2006, has six trading subsidiaries operating from seven sites across the UK employing 158 staff and serving more than 16,000 small and medium-sized businesses.
Trowbridge-based AlertSystems has more than 30 years’ experience in providing a wide range of security services, including the latest high definition surveillance systems, access control, intruder alarm and fire detection systems.
It has installed thousands of commercial security systems for clients in sectors spanning transport, logistics, food production, schools, universities, hotels, utilities and waste management.
Francis Flower, based in Gurney Slade, was launched in 1953 as a quarrying and lime burning business. Still owned and run by the same family today it has grown to providing a range of high-quality powdered minerals, which include Anhydrite Binder (Gypsol) for flowing screeds, limestone powders for concrete and asphalt filler, super-fine white marble powders for paints, plastics and pharmaceuticals and, more recently, Ground-granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) for concrete.
Chippenham-based Image Factory uses the best digital technology to print, build and distribute quality point of sale from its headquarters on the town’s Bumpers Farm business park.
Services range from 2D and 3D product displays to freestanding display units and display packaging.
The appearance of Bath-based London & Country Mortgages on the list adds to its huge number of accolades – it has won a staggering 150-plus awards since 2002, more than any other mortgage broker.
The firm, which also has offices in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and London, is the UK’s leading fee-free mortgage broker,
Frome-based Mirage Inks is an independent ink manufacturer making high-quality solvent and water-based products.
Launched in 1983, it has been a market leader in cationic and free radical U.V. technology for use in indirect food contact applications for more than 20 years in
In 2000 it gained the British Standard Institute’s BS:EN:ISO 9001:2000 certificate and is a six times winner of the SME Merit Award for Research and Technology from the DTI.
London Stock Exchange CEO Nikhil Rathi said: “We warmly congratulate all of the companies identified in this year’s 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain report. Five years on, the report continues to demonstrate the strength and diversity of British businesses across the country.
“These dynamic companies are the backbone of our economy, playing an important role in the UK’s ability to innovate, export and grow. This report is a significant part of London Stock Exchange Group’s broader campaign to support UK high growth companies. We are committed to championing British businesses and Britain’s dynamic entrepreneurial spirit.”
