TOP 100: AES seals top spot as firms plan to expand

SVM Global is one of the world's biggest distributors of gift vouchers and corporate gift cards and its UK head office is in Rotherham.

Founded in the US in 1997, the European operations launched in 2008 and it has offices in London and at Parkgate, Rotherham, where it employs more than 120.

The UK firm works with 142 brands, from Amazon to Zizzi. Globally it is a $100m turnover business working with 500 brands.

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The UK operation’s latest accounts – from the end of 2014 – show it made £317,000 pre-tax profit on £63.6m turnover, placing it 65th in the Top 100 table.

Since then firm has hired 70 staff, taken more office space and opened ‘thehub’ for staff to relax.

Employees are known as ‘The Family’ who are treated as such, with regular events, free fruit, nights out, family trips to the seaside and similar initiatives.

Brian Dunne, MD of SVM Global, said: “We are focused on further expansion into new countries and business sectors. SVM Global is always looking for talented new technical talent to work with the latest emerging technologies.”

The firm is keen to attract new talent, he added.

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Meanwhile, the most profitable company in Rotherham, AES Engineering, dominates once again.

It made £19.1m pre-tax profit on £147.2m turnover, up slightly on the £18.3m it made last year. (See Page 10)

AMG Superalloys is a distant second with £3.8m profit although it is only 10 places behind in the Top 100 table which is ranked by turnover.

Underwood Meat (Holdings) is back in the Top 100 after a year out because its turnover was too low.

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This year it is 100th and sets the threshold for entry – at £43,684,000 turnover.

It made £1.2m pre-tax profit and employs 196.

The company was also 100th in 2014 and 96th in 2013.

Nicholas Associates is another regular in the Top 100. The company, which employs 4,236, made £306,000 on £66.3m turnover in its most recent account has launched an aggressive expansion programme.

Established in 1977, its brands include Stafforce, Nicholas Associates, Apprentice Employment Agency and Ashley Kate HR.

It acquired Ashley Kate HR in January for an undisclosed seven-figure sum, six weeks after announcing a deal to buy XL Graduate Placement.

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The Ashley Kate acquisition was part of an eight-figure refinancing to underpin expansion and diversification.

It is headquartered in Reginald Arthur House, Percy Street, Rotherham, and has 16 branches and 24 onsite operations stretching from the north of Scotland to the south coast of England.

Lisa Gainsford became chief executive in November.

Since joining in April 2015 in an interim role, she worked with the group’s executive team on a growth plan that led to the launch of The Nicholas Associates Group in January 2016.

The aim is to offer recruitment complemented by specialist offerings including graduate placement, consultancy and software.

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On joining the business, she said: “I was bowled over by the ethics of the company and the people, who are talented, committed and passionate.”

ROTHERHAM – pre-tax profit

25 25 A.E.S. Engineering Limited 19,126

34 29 AMG Superalloys UK Limited 3,842

67 62 Falcon Capital Investments 1,777

100 - Underwood Meat (Holdings) 1,181

65 75 SVM Global Limited 317

60 74 Nicholas Associates Holdings 306

55 47 T.H.S. Tools Limited 186

87 83 AMG Aluminum UK Limited -50

81 72 Horbury Group Limited -376

15 14 Maplin Electronics -3,229

Total 23,080