VARs make it onto Tech Track

Channel wins: Top solution providers are growing fast

Channel firms were among the big winners in The Sunday Times Microsoft Tech Track 100 list of the UK’s fastest growing technology companies.

The list is researched and put together by Fast Track and features the 100 UK technology companies that have had the quickest revenue growth over the past three fiscal years.

Out in front this year is mobile services specialist the Mobile Interactive Group, which swelled revenue by an annual average of more than 400 per cent.

Communications vendor Timico came fourth, IT services firm Adventi was 14th, with managed services provider Adapt one place behind with growth of more than 120 per cent.

Adapt chief executive Peter Knight told CRN: “Careful customer selection is critical. We work with a number of high-growth online companies and no single customer is more than five per cent of our business.”

A series of 29 acquisitions helped telecoms company Chess to 32nd place, while AV integrator Audio Visual Machines (AVM) was five places behind with a growth rate of about 75 per cent. AVM chairman Sandy MacPherson told CRN his company’s plan to consolidate the market had driven its growth.

“We have an even spread of public and private sector clients,” he said. “We managed risk by making acquisitions and increasing our portfolio. Green issues and video conferencing will continue to drive growth.”

Support services firm Comms-care has enjoyed a fruitful year after being awarded Cisco Silver and Gold partner status within a month.

The Crewe-based company came in at number 40 with annual growth of about 70 per cent. Managing director Scott Yates claimed he is targeting a top 10 finish next year.

“Most of the 20,000 companies that could have entered are selling tin; selling services is harder,” he said. “We are optimistic about this year as Cisco Gold partner status has opened up avenues for us.”

Other channel players to make the cut were managed services specialist Wavex, communications firm Entanet, integrators 2e2 and Intrinsic, ISP Griffin and VAR Probrand.

In 100th place was reseller ANS after annual revenue growth of about 35 per cent. Managing director Scott Fletcher said: “It would be interesting to know how many companies have grown their profits; we have grown our bottom line as well as our top. We have a strong public sector customer base that helps to insulate us from the economic climate.”