Channel players pull rank among UK industry?s top 100 high-flyers

A report into the 100 fastest growing private companies in the UK has highlighted a number of channel players as being among the top flight of British industry.

The list was compiled for Real Business magazine and looked into companies? trading history over a four-year period.

Basingstoke-based notebook dealer Lapland UK came out as the ninth fastest growing private company in the UK in any sector, according to the survey.

Over the past four years, Lapland UK?s sales have grown at an average of 132 per cent. The company was set up in 1991 by Martin Clarke and Mike Neame and now employs 22 people.

Martin Clarke, Lapland sales and marketing director, said: ?I was delighted when I heard about the piece. It?s a nice reward for all the hard work that?s been involved ? it?s very much been a team effort.

?We?re still planning for future growth. It?s not just about boosting turnover, it?s about growing the company?s long-term profitability.?

Lapland was originally funded with a personally secured bank loan and, according to the Real Business survey, now has a turnover in excess of #6 million. The reseller is forecasting growth in excess of 100 per cent for the next year.

The number nine ranking put Lapland ahead of Carphone Warehouse, which was ranked at number 38; networking distributor Norwood Adam, at number 21; and retail operation Software Warehouse, at number 10.

Other IT companies mentioned in the list were Ultima Business Systems, Software Europe and Pericom Software.