UK channel firms enjoy global growth

League table ranks fastest-growing private companies in terms of global sales

UK channel firms have fared well in a Sunday Times and HSBC league table ranking international growth.

The International Track 200 table, which forms part of the Fast Track scheme, measures the performance of privately owned companies in terms of their percentage growth on international sales over a two-year period.

VARs Phoenix Software and Bell Microsystems came in 14th and 20th respectively, recording international sales growth of 160 and 111 per cent respectively.

Kelway's plans to expand to South Africa contributed to its ranking of 22nd after recording a 100 per cent increase in sales, taking its base worldwide sales of £7.3m to £29.2m.

Distributor Westcoast featured on the list in 148th place, as well as distributor Hammer, which posted a 23 per cent sales increase internationally and software distributor Interactive Ideas, who ranked 143rd.

Alex Tatham, sales and marketing director at Westcoast, commented that the European economy often makes international sales easier.

He said: "One of the reasons we found that non-UK sales are so viable is largely because vendors have become more pan-European, which I applaud.

"The UK has a currency which is attractive to buy out of the region, which is one of the joys of not being in the euro, which I also applaud."

Hammer managing director James Ward put his company's ranking down to having local knowledge internationally.

"Having an in-depth understanding of local businesses and culture, and physical presence near to our partners is, we believe, the key to continuing international success," he said.

"Being the strongest storage distributor in Europe is Hammer's continuing objective."