News

Six of LDC’s portfolio businesses are featured in the latest Sunday Times' International Track 200 league table of the top 200 private firms (published on 8th July 2012), which spotlights UK businesses with the fastest growing international sales.

Microlease, Original Additions, Tropical Marine Centre, Airline Services, A-Gas and Antler have been individually recognised for reporting strong international sales growth over the last two financial years.

Electronics provider Microlease was ranked 45^th in the league table. Led by Chief Executive Nigel Brown, the business has expanded rapidly since LDC’s investment in 2006. Reporting strong organic growth, international sales have increased by 69 per cent each year from £13.4million in 2010 to £38.2million in 2012.

Following the sale of Cranswick Pet Products in April 2012, LDC retained a majority stake in Cranswick’s other trading division, the Tropical Marine Centre, the UK’s largest supplier of tropical marine fish and associated aquatic accessories and fish food. Led by managing director Paul West, Tropical Marine Centre was in 104^th place, after reporting strong European demand driving international sales 38 per cent a year from £2.9million in 2009 to £5.5million in 2011.

Airline Services was lauded for increasing its international sales growth by 33 per cent over the past two years, from £12.7million in 2009 to £22.3million in 2011. Led by chief executive Bryan Bodek, the business was in 128^th position after an increase in sales to Germany, the Middle East and the Far East, with exports now accounting for 46 per cent of annual turnover.

Ranked 111^th, Beauty products supplier Original Additions grew international sales by 38 per cent each year, from £2.2million in 2009 to £4.2million in 2011. Chief Executive Simon Zussman has focused on rolling out a growth strategy which is increasingly focused on key international markets, culminating in the recent launch of Katy Perry lashes by Eyelure for consumers in the USA.

Equally there was a strong display from Antler, the international luggage brand, who came in at 112th position.

Provider of specialist industrial gases and chemicals, A-Gas International was listed in 172^th place. Driving expansion into new markets abroad both organically and by acquisition, Chairman John Rutley has overseen international sales growth by 26 per cent a year from £25.4million in 2009 to £40.5million in 2011.

Darryl Eales, Chief Executive, LDC said:

"We are delighted that so many businesses in our current investment portfolio have been recognised in the Sunday Times' International Track 200 league table.

“We recognise the importance on delivering value to the businesses we invest in to help drive sales and profit growth in overseas markets. This year alone, we have supported several of our portfolio companies in the completion of strategic acquisitions abroad and we are increasingly providing access and opportunities for growth into Asia through our Hong Kong office.”