Bakery companies and retailers have made it on to The Sunday Times 250 mid-market private companies index.
The Top Track 250 league table ranks Britain’s biggest private firms by sales. To be eligible for entry, companies must be profitable and report a greater-than-10% increase in either sales or operating profit in their latest accounts. Sales must be below £650m.
The published list includes Warburtons, Pret A Manger, Meadow Foods, Burton’s Biscuit Co, Westbridge Foods, Wellness Foods, Caffè Nero, Whitworths, Bettys & Taylors and Morning Foods.
According to the report, this year’s Top Track 250 companies generated combined sales of £67.9bn, up from a combined £59.3bn in the prior year.
In terms of breakdown by industry, food and drink represented one of the largest sectors, with 40 companies, tied with automotive.
Bread brand Warburtons was listed 19th, rising from 26th in 2012, reporting sales of £513.8m and operating profit of £31.2m
Pret A Manger is ranked 37th, a rise of 29 places compared to last year, with sales of £443.8m, operating profit of £23.6m and employing 7,144 members of staff.
Burton’s Biscuit Co has also risen in the league table, sitting at 71st, up 13 places from 84th. Sales were reported at £333.2m, operating profit £24.1m, and it employed 2,065 people. The report stated that Burton’s sales fell by 3%, but increased profits by 43%, following £12m in manufacturing efficiencies.
Coffee chain Caffè Nero joined the list this year at 139th. Sales were reported at £204m, operating profit at £24m, and it employed 3,900 staff.
The report stated: “This year’s league table identifies many dynamic mid-market private businesses that have grown by managing risk, choosing the right strategic options, attracting talent and becoming operationally more efficient.”
Top Track 250 is compiled by Fast Track and published in The Sunday Times each October, with a national awards dinner in London and follow-up regional dinners.
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