IT, software and telecoms companies may have featured in the list 16 times, but manufacturing companies did so 18 times.
While manufacturing was represented over many other sectors, however, there we no such companies in the actual top ten. Instead, leisure (Hamiltons; Barrhead Travel), IT (ESP Systex Holdings, Acturis, Stefanini International) and recruitment (Castlerock Recruitment, Pathology Group) sectors took the top spots.
As a trend across the whole list, however, the number of manufacturing companies is uplifting, given the ongoing perception that the British manufacturing industry is in decline.
Jan Cavelle writes in her regular column about the ups and downs manufacturing has experienced this year: “Manufacturing got off to a good start this year but we are still way behind pre-recession levels and news of slowing growth is hardly going to help confidence.
“And it is confidence and investment that will see us capitalize on what overall economists still believe will be a solid year.”
The presence of manufacturing companies in the Hot 100 list encourages renewed confidence, given their rapid growth here in the UK.
In terms of IT companies, IT services and innovative software solutions are in high demand, as they were last year. Possibly as a result of technological innovation outpacing businesses ability to apply and integrate these technologies.
Comparing these results with those from 2013’s list: IT services stayed the same (16), while manufacturing has shot up to 18, from 15.
Notable decreases were in financial and professional services, down to nine from 15.
- IT, software and telecoms – 16
- Financial and professional services – 9
- Manufacturing and engineering – 18
- Construction, property and related services – 7
- Food and drink – 12
- Retail and related services – 13
- Energy and commodities – 3
- Logistics and distribution – 3
- Pharmaceuticals, medical and related services – 3
- Miscellaneous – 0
- Outsourcing and care services – 5
- Recruitment – 6
- Leisure and travel – 5
All financial data for the Hot 100 was provided by Jordans.
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