
2. Can Holdings
Liverpool-based CAN Holdings provides engineering, inspection and maintenance services to the oil and gas, construction, civil engineering, marine and structural maintenance industries worldwide. Headquartered in Aberdeen, it employs 120 staff. CAN Group’s growth has been as spectacular as some of the recent leaps in oil prices, with turnover jumping from £561,000 in 2006 to £63m in 2009. Impressively, the group has £6.3m in cash, and shareholders’ funds of more than £30m.With admirable understatement, sole owner Mike Freeman argues that he “is confident the business can continue to grow in the forthcoming year and beyond in what is a competitive market”.3. Troy Foods
Leeds-based Troy Foods is a family-owned food-processing company. Founded in 1932 as fruit and vegetable wholesalers, it started processing potatoes in the early seventies and, a few years later, sold the wholesaling business to concentrate on processing vegetables to supply ready-meal businesses. It has since added prepared salads, coleslaw and mayonnaise to its production line. The business is currently seeking planning permission to extend its 28,000sq ft factory by a further 10,000sq ft. With 2009 sales of £20.3m and a pre-tax profit of £512,000, owner Mike Sprockley felt confident enough to take his first dividend for years – a healthy £300,000. All the company needs now is a decent summer, as much of its sales are barbecue-driven.4. Lee Longlands
Lee Longlands is a name well known to the people of Britain’s “Second City”, Birmingham. For four generations, the company has been supplying people all over the Midlands with quality, stylish furniture. Established back in 1901, this £16.4m-turnover business is now run by the latest member of the Lee dynasty, Rob Lee.5. Writtle
6. Estrella Group
This West Midlands-based engineering group specialises in an unusual mix of interiors and aerospace. Another name for the group could be the Two Steves Group: the chairman and 75 per cent owner of the group is Steve Hayes, while finance director and owner of the remaining 25 per cent is Steve Wain. The two Steves have seen turnover and profits rise gratifyingly over the past few years, from £874,000 in 2006 to £47m in 2009.7. Rimex Metals
Long-established Rimex Metals Group has been producing surface finishes on stainless steel and other metals since 1959. The group, which has manufacturing facilities in the UK, the US, Australia and South Africa, is controlled by Keith Childs, who paid himself £315,281 (including pension contributions) in 2008, and received the lion’s share of the dividend of £66,000.8. ES Group
9. Elite Telecoms
Elite Telecoms is another Hot 100 veteran. Based in St Helens in Lancashire, the company pulled in sales of £14.6m last year – impressive in the fiercely competitive world of telecoms. Matt Newing, still in his thirties, is the founder and owns 66 per cent of the shares. He paid himself a total of £378,000 in 2009 (including pension contributions). Employing 170 people, the company also supplies a range of security products and services, including call queuing and video conferencing facilities.10. Amicable Building Assistance
Amicable Building Assistance is a property maintenance and repairs company based in Tadworth, Surrey. Amicable only has one director and shareholder – Reza Mofidi. In the year to August 20, 2008, turnover was £7.9m and the company made pre-tax profits of £776,000. Mofidi only paid himself £52,220 in 2008 but he also took a dividend of £93,500. Image sourceShare this story