The years roll on but the pace never flags

Oct 17 2007 By Iain Laing

‘THE Fastest 50 will generate a positive message at a time when there have been economic setbacks”.

That was the opening declaration of intent from Martin Hulls, partner at leading North law firm Ward Hadaway, when the Fastest 50 was launched in 1998.

The Newcastle-based firm had joined forces with The Journal to promote the region’s growing companies and celebrate North-East business success, a message which remains the same today as we celebrate the tenth Fastest 50 Awards.

Back in 1998, high interest rates and a strong pound had hit North companies hard, but there was still much to be proud of, as the inaugural winners of the Fastest 50 showed.

Armstrong Technology Associates – a Wallsend-based company formed by members of the design team at Swan Hunter shipyard – won the overall award after clinching contracts in the offshore and gas industry.

The North-East’s traditional manufacturing strength was demonstrated by two of the other inaugural winners – engineering group Bywell Holdings, manufacturer Isocom Components, who won fastest growing large and medium companies respectively, while engineering consultancy Utility Technical Services
won the fastest growing small company award.

Over the ensuing years, the Fastest 50 has provided a valuable barometer of the rapid changes in the make-up of the region’s economy with an increasing number of awards going to leisure and service sector businesses.

It has also charted how different geographical areas of the region’s economy have grown – for example, from 1999 to 2001 all but two of the winning companies came from the south of the region as the Tees Valley in particular enjoyed swift expansion.

The range of the winning companies over the years – from nurseries to truck part makers – shows the rich variety of business in the North-East and the presence of major players such as Bannatyne Fitness and Eaga Partnership down the years demonstrates the
Fastest 50’s ability to pinpoint real rising stars.

The winners of this year’s awards – backed by The Journal and sponsored for the tenth consecutive year by leading North law firm Ward Hadaway – were revealed at a ceremony at the Baltic centre for contemporary art in Gateshead on October 12.

Thanks to the input of Durham University Business School, who have compiled this year’s Fastest 50, it is more authoritative – and more widely anticipated – than ever.

Colin Hewitt, head of commercial law at Ward Hadaway, said: “Companies have been vying to get into the Fastest 50 ever since the awards started and this year will be no exception.

“The Fastest 50 has become a real fixture on the region’s calendar and a chance for us to celebrate all that is best in North-East business.”

The Fastest 50 Hall
of Fame

2006

Overall winner and fastest growing small business: Bannatyne Hotels Ltd, Darlington

Fastest growing large business: Spartan UK, Gateshead

Fastest growing medium business: PX Limited, Stockton

2005

Overall winner and fastest growing large business: Schmitz Cargobull Curtainsiders (UK), County Durham

Fastest growing medium business: David Price Foods, Wallsend

Fastest growing small business: NEL Recruitment, Stokesley

2004

Overall winner and fastest growing small business: Harrison Packaging, Thornaby, Teesside

Fastest growing large business: Eaga Partnership, Newcastle

Fastest growing medium business: Fox Racing, Gateshead

2003

Overall winner and fastest growing small business: Straight Line, Newcastle

Fastest growing large business: DP Furniture Express (formerly Durham Pine), Sunderland

Fastest growing medium business: Rivergreen, Durham

2002

Overall winner: Rivergreen, Durham

Fastest growing small business: AT&P Rentals, Guisborough

Fastest growing medium business: Lab Medico Legal Services, Peterlee

Fastest growing large business: The Officers Club, Cramlington, Northumberland

2001

Overall winner: Bannatyne Fitness, Darlington

Fastest growing small business: Micromix RM, County Durham

Fastest growing medium business: Renoir Shoes, Thornaby

Fastest growing large business: Perlos, Washington

2000

Overall winner: Doyen, Teesside

Fastest growing small business: Just Learning, Darlington

Fastest growing medium business: Bannatyne Fitness, Darlington

Fastest growing large business: Savers Health and Beauty, Darlington

1999

Overall winner and fastest growing medium business: Bannatyne Fitness, Darlington

Fastest growing small business: Just Learning, Darlington

Fastest growing large business: The Health Clinic, Newcastle

1998

Overall winner: Armstrong Technology Associates, Wallsend

Fastest growing small business: Utility Technical Services, Durham

Fastest growing medium business: Isocom Components, Hartlepool

Fastest growing large business: Bywell Holdings, Newcastle