The Wales Fast Growth 50, 2021: These are the fastest growing firms in Wales

The fastest growing indigenous firms in Wales can be revealed.

Between them the 50 firms making up the Wales Fast Growth 50, 2021, list - a projected devised by Professor Dylan Jones-Evans and now in its 23rd year - collectively generated revenues of £584m between 2018-20 with an impressive average growth rate of 135% .

Since the first list back in 1999 some 674 firms have created 48,000 jobs and an estimated £27bn of turnover.

This year's 50 firms created 2,000 new jobs and additional sales of £336m over the two year period. They currently employ more than 4,000.

Again the determining factor for the ranking is turnover growth over the last two years. Firms have to be independent, based in Wales, and had sales of at least £250,000 in 2018.

Prof Jones-Evans, of the University of South Wales, said: "At a time when we need beacons of hope and optimism for the future of our business community, we have a group of 50 phenomenal businesses that, out of a population of over 260,000 Welsh firms, are making an incredible contribution to prosperity, innovation and employment.

"This year’s list generated a collective turnover of £584rm in 2020 and employed over 4,000 people. More importantly, they generated an additional £336m in turnover during the period 2018-2020 at an average growth rate of 135%

"Together, these 50 businesses also created 2,000 new jobs in just two years doubling their workforce and demonstrating their continuing importance across the Welsh economy."

Welsh Secretary Simon Hart paid tribute to all 50 firms. He said: "It has been an incredibly difficult year time for businesses both large and small everywhere. But in the midst of the most challenging economic circumstances, many of our fantastic businesses have not only survived, but thrived.

"This year's Wales Fast Growth 50 firms are testament to the resilience, passion and creativity of Welsh business."

1. HSG Facilities Management (Cardiff)

Established : 2015 Growth (2018-2020): 800% - see financials in table below

HSG Facilities Management (HSGFM) provides a complete range of services to support businesses. Its goal is to develop long-term working partnerships with clients and to assist them in achieving success through a coordinated single approach to facilities management.

It said its exceptional growth is down to its employees who consistently delivers the best service to clients. The firm, set up by former Cardiff councillor Ashley Govier, initially focused on housekeeping, front of house and facilities management to hotels. Through acquisition it expanded into the security sector.

As a business it has learnt to take opportunities as and when they are presented. This ensures that it is in keeping with the changing needs of the industries that it operates within and is constantly striving to add to and improve the services that it provides.

In the future HSGFM aims to focus on building and developing relationships with new and existing clients.

2. Ascona Group Holdings (Pembroke Dock)

Established: 2011 Growth (2018-2020): 717%

The Ascona Group is one of the UK’s fastest-growing forecourt operators serving over 170,000 customers a week and providing a leading retail service offering comprising both commercial partnerships and in-house brands.

Headquartered in Pembrokeshire, it employs 229 people in Wales and 676 people in total at 59 sites across the UK. The Ascona Group has grown to become one of the top ten independent forecourt operators in the UK and ultimately, its vision is to continue to expand the portfolio to over 300 sites over the next five years.

3. Candour Talent (Ebbw Vale)

Established: 2016 Growth (2018-2020): 536%

Candour Talent is an Ebbw Vale-based recruitment agency working with businesses to help increase the speed and quality of temporary, contract and permanent recruitment. It has rapid growth plans that will see it open three more branches and increase the retail division significantly to become a £10m turnover company.

With its retail division going from strength to strength, the firm will be adding to the team and growing this across the UK into other major supermarkets.

4. Hoop Recruitment (Cardiff)

Established: 2016 Growth (2018-2020): 516 %

Hoop was set up to redefine recruitment with the aim of setting up a specialist business with customer service at the core of everything it does.

By listening more than they talk, Hoop is able to gain a greater understanding of what the client is looking for from their next recruit - not just skillset or qualifications, but also organisation and personality fit through to longer term team and business structures.

5. ASD Build (Treforest)

Established: 2015 Growth (2018-2020): 401%

ASD Build is run by construction professionals. With its team of talented employees and sub-contracting companies, it provide quality building development solutions for local communities.

It already has a pipeline of works for the next seven years and anticipates delivering affordable homes to South Wales whilst also developing its private residential house build schemes.

6. Ickle Bubba (Swansea)

Established: 2013 Growth (2018-2020): 369%

Ickle Bubba designs, manufactures and sell children’s nursery products which includes car seats, pushchairs, nursery furniture and most recently, nursery interiors. Its best-selling travel system range includes various ‘all in one’ packages suitable from birth up to three years.

Its vision is to become a globally recognised market leading children’s brand and having first modelled the business successfully in the UK, it has now launched the brand into Spain and Australia.

7. Zeal Tax (Newport)

Established: 2017 Growth (2018-2020): 333%

Zeal are experienced chartered tax advisors that specialise in helping business owners benefit from capital allowances tax relief for the ‘embedded fixtures’ found within their property when they bought, built or refurbished it.

Unlocking these substantial tax savings and cash repayments requires technical tax and property surveying experts and it is not something an accountant would typically claim unless using a specialist firm like Zeal.

8. LEB Construction (Aberystwyth)

Established: 2009 Growth (2018-2020): 289%

Founded by Luke Baker when he was 21 years old, Aberystwyth-based LEB Construction specialises in successfully delivering complex remodelling, refurbishment, and new build projects which require professional project management and high-quality standards.

Its public and private sector clients are some of the most prestigious organisations in Wales and the firm has helped to transform their buildings with innovative designs, high-quality materials and skilled craftsmanship.

9. Consumer Energy Solutions (Swansea)

Established: 2016 Growth (2018-2020): 277 %

To combat the current energy crisis, Consumer Energy Solutions is responsible for helping customers that are classed in fuel poverty, claiming energy efficiency funded measures to reduce their energy bills and reducing the carbon polluting the environment. This work is essential to the UK Government achieving its target of carbon zero by 2050.

Among the energy efficient solutions it installs are new hydrogen-ready boilers, first-time central heating systems, insulation (wall, roof and floor), air source heat pumps and modern electric storage heaters.

10. J2R Demolition (Blackwood)

Established: 2017 Growth (2018-2020): 258%

J2R Demolition offers a wide range of services closely linked to the demolition industry using innovative techniques to the very highest of standards, at best value, whilst ensuring health and safety is at the forefront of all activities.

Combining both modern and smart working techniques such as robotics alongside traditional demolition methods, the aim is to offer clients cost efficient solutions with strong emphasis on early engagement

11. Flyform (Cardiff)

Established: 2015 Growth (2018-2020): 238%

Founded in late 2015 and headquartered in Cardiff, FlyForm is a multi-award-winning technology company with a mission to drive positive changes in the world through people and technology.

Since its inception, it has grown exponentially and as the only Welsh partner of ServiceNow - one of the world’s most successful B2B cloud software platforms - FlyForm is consistently amongst the top ServiceNow partners.

12. Central FM Group (Ebbw Vale)

Established: 2013 Growth (2018-2020): 234%

Central FM Group was created to service all sectors with a professional, cost effective one stop shop that covers the full range of facilities management.

Its offer includes security covering all areas of physical guarding and key holding, cleaning, building maintenance, gardening, fire and security alarm systems including CCTV, 24 hour monitoring room and rapid response, and recruitment of temporary and permanent recruitment across all sectors including managed service.

13. Sennybridge (Abergavenny)

Established: 2010 Growth (2018-2020): 219%

Based in Abergavenny, Sennybridge specialises in land procurement, building construction, property development and is focused on building new homes.

Working with award winning architects its homes are designed for a modern lifestyle with a flexible range that is suitable for the rapidly changing needs of customers. It is dedicated to creating and enhancing communities with homes designed to complement existing structures and landscapes.

14. Delio (Cardiff)

Established: 2015 Growth (2018-2020): 213%

Delio is a fintech business that helps financial firms to transform their private markets investment propositions. Its platforms are a secure, digital hub where financial institutions can showcase deals and navigate the entire investment lifecycle in one space.

It now supports over 90 institutions across 18 different countries and clients include some of the world’s most respected financial institutions such as Barclays, Coutts, UBS and ING.

No 15 Hilltop Honey (Newtown)

Established: 2011 Growth (2018-2020): 199%

Hilltop manufactures honey, maple syrup and agave syrup and has recently diversified its product range and moved into the beauty and sports nutrition space with its Natural Beeswax Lip Balm and Natural Energy gels.

It sells its products in the majority of the UK’s major retailers such as Tesco, Sainsburys, Waitrose and Morrison’s.

16. Hearing Wales (Swansea)

Established: 2009 Growth (2018-2020): 187%

Hearing Wales is a private hearing care company offering five star hearing care to clients all over South, West and Mid Wales. The four clinics in Swansea, Cardiff, Narberth and Mumbles provide free hearing tests, ear microsuction and private hearing aids.

The audiologists, nurses and hearing care assistants also offer free home visits throughout all areas. Hearing Wales plans to continue to grow its business by bringing more services closer to the communities and opening more clinics.

17. Jenkins & Davies Engineering (Pembroke Dock)

Established: 1969 Growth (2018-2020): 163%

Jenkins & Davies Engineering was established in 1969 to service the petrochemical industry construction in the county of Pembrokeshire.

Since then it has evolved into a leading mechanical company working across the UK and Ireland in the petrochemical, power generation, marine and LNG industries, with offsite fabrication and office facilities in Pembroke Dock and Birmingham.

18. Cowshed Communication (Cardiff)

Established: 2014 Growth (2018-2020): 155%

Cowshed is a creative communication agency based in the heart of Cardiff. It delivers fully integrated PR, marketing and advertising campaigns for clients that make a huge difference to the people they serve.

All of the firm’s clients and the campaigns it delivers have one thing in common namely they are all causes that Cowshed believes in.

19. R-Gifts (Cardiff)

Established: 2014 Growth (2018-2020): 147%

R-Gifts is a tech-focused eCommerce company focused on personalised gifts that uses software to create a unique personalised print and experience for users.

Using in-house software, it can name stars in the sky, create personalised star maps where it recreates the exact night sky as it appeared on any date from any place as well as create automated personalised poems that users can tailor and style to their liking.

20. Advanced Carpentry Solutions (Pontypridd)

Established: 2015 Growth (2018-2020): 141%

Advanced Carpentry Solutions (ACS) covers a range of disciplines across multiple domestic and commercial projects. Its aim is to complete contracts with exceptional quality, on time and within budget whilst providing a personal service for clients within the construction sector.

With new fire regulations constantly coming to light, it also plans plan to make an entry into the firestopping sector with the aim of adding an additional £600,000 to turnover in the first year and then increasing this annually by 10%.

21. Cycle Solutions (Swansea)

Established: 2006 Growth (2018-2020): 141%

Cycle Solutions is a multi-channel bicycle retailer fulfilling orders directly from their Swansea headquarters.

It is a leading name in the Cycle to Work market and continues to be selected as the scheme provider for some of the UK’s largest organisations, such as the Co-Op Group, EDF Energy, Transport for London, Vodafone, Heinz and GE, despite intense competition from industry giants such as Halfords and Evans Cycles. It also has a rapidly growing online retail store.

22. Comlink Fire and Security (Carmarthen)

Established: 2017 Growth (2018-2020): 138%

Comlink is a fire and security systems installation and service business that offers an installation and 24/7 call out service working on electronic security and life safety systems including fire alarms, access control, intruder alarms, fire extinguishers, gate automation and CCTV.

It plans to double in size over the next two years while increasing the areas of Wales that it covers.

23. Freight Logistics Solutions (Pontypool)

Established: 2016 Growth (2018-2020): 132%

Operating primarily with the UK and EU, FLS provides end to-end supply chain solutions, offering logistical support, advice and transport solutions derived from working backgrounds and expertise in operational, supply chain and transport logistics.

Its ultimate objective is to improve clients' transport service levels whilst reducing costs and it offers a range of services to suit all clients' freight handling needs from occasional transport usage right through to organisations looking to completely outsource their transport management department.

24. Countrywide Hearing (Swansea)

Established: 2012 Growth (2018-2020): 129%

Countrywide Hearing works with UK insurance companies to help them validate hearing aid claims and provide replacements for their policyholders with a fast, accurate and high-end service.

Whilst clients are actually the insurance companies themselves, its goal is to look after the policyholders who are often left vulnerable without the use of their hearing aids. During the next five years, Countrywide Hearing plans to continue to develop its core service to make further improvements and also to be available to all insurance companies who need its services.

25. A&R Services (Bridgend)

Established: 2010 Growth (2018-2020): 127%

Based in Bridgend, A&R Services is an award-winning soft services provider offering a range of commercial cleaning, security, bio-misting, facilities and washroom management to businesses across Wales and the south-west of England.

Since 2010, the business has increased in size and stature and now offers its professional commercial cleaning services to firms such as Welsh Water, Hugh James, and Monmouthshire Building Society as well as schools, hotels, office blocks, retail and healthcare.

26. Zeal Innovation (Swansea)

Established: 2014 Growth (2018-2020): 126%

Zeal Innovation markets three product families of award winning high security bicycle and motorcycle locks called LITELOK for which demand in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world often outstrips supply.

Its patent protected BoaFlexicore flexible composite material has unique qualities that make it light and super strong meaning it can withstand sustained attack from crowbars, bolt croppers and hacksaws and this makes it ideal for many security applications.

27. Techxi (Abercynon)

Established: 2018 Growth (2018-2020): 123%

Techxi is a specialist ground transportation provider and its core services include providing traditional ride hailing services to the public via its app or call centre, specialist transport to local authorities and mobility solutions to corporate customers.

It also operates in England and holds a number of UK wide contracts to handle transport for companies wherever they need it.

No 28 amber energy (Cardiff)

Established: 2009 Growth (2018-2020): 123%

Amber Energy is an energy management consultancy based in Cardiff with employees across the UK. It’s mission is to fix utilities, save the planet and 'make people happy'. The services it provides to achieve this are energy management, compliance, resident billing and carbon consulting.

The business was born from the idea that the utilities sector was ready for change and that businesses being overcharged and underserved by their consultants deserved better.

29. Net World Sports (Wrexham)

Established: 2009 Growth (2018-2020): 121%

Net World Sports is an award-winning global e-commerce business that stocks an extensive range of predominantly own-brand sport, fitness, leisure and home and garden products that it stores and distributes from its 130,000 sq. ft warehouse in Wrexham.

Net World Sports already has a strong presence internationally with websites in 29 countries and the next five years will see it become more established in all of those markets whilst also expanding into new places where there is potential.

30. DST Innovations (Bridgend)

Established: 2011 Growth (2018-2020): 121%

DST Innovations is a Bridgend-based private company that specialises in electronics design and manufacturing, lighting, and energy storage technologies. It is also behind plans for a £1.7bn tidal lagoon project, supporting a wave of new homes and commercial developments, in Swansea Bay.

Its latest innovation is Batri and the new Lithium Batri Solutions which is set to expand with the development of sodium-ion battery products that is providing greener energy storage that does not require rare earth minerals and is effective in extreme environments.

31. Character.com (Swansea)

Established: 2009 Growth (2018-2020): 115%

Appearing for the seventh time in a row on the Wales Fast Growth 50 list, Character.com is the UK’s largest independent online retailer of licensed clothing and accessories for children and adults.

It produces an exclusive range of nightwear, clothing and accessories featuring the nations favourite characters from the worlds of TV, film and books. Its products range from Minnie Mouse to Minecraft and Peppa Pig to Star Wars with a focus on great quality, great value and fantastic customer service.

32. Warmserve Services (Llansamlet)

Established: 2011 Growth (2018-2020): 121%

Warmserve Services is a plumbing, heating and electrical company covering South Wales. It was founded by Ashley Carlisle at the age of 20 and since then, the company has grown from one man in a van to a respectable heating and electrical company that now employs many local staff.

It covers all aspects of servicing, installation and maintenance for the private and public sector and currently work for private individuals, insurance clients, social housing clients and local authority councils.

33. Genmed (Cwmbran)

Established: 2007 Growth (2018-2020): 107%

Genmed provides vendor-neutral, flexible, and scalable managed services to the NHS, to the broader public sector and private healthcare organisations in the UK and beyond. Its customers enjoy choice of suppliers, choice of equipment, and choice of service which enables them to find solutions to problems using best in class solutions.

Genmed manages over 200 contracts in many clinical areas including theatres, pathology, endoscopy, imaging, renal and IT with a portfolio valued at £31m in over forty NHS Trusts.

34. John Kelly Construction Services (Gaerwen)

Established: 2008 Growth (2018-2020): 102%

Established in 2008, John Kelly Construction Services is a groundworks and civil engineering contractor based in Anglesey and working across North Wales.

It provides construction, civil engineering and groundwork services to home developers, national construction companies, utilities and local authorities and specialises in carrying out infrastructure and groundworks on new housing sites.

35. MSS Group (Cardiff)

Established: 2005 Growth (2018-2020): 98%

Established in 2005 and headquartered in Cardiff, MSS Group is a leading provider of technical compliance services to clients operating in hazardous environments or with hazardous materials. MSS comprises of four group divisions namely facilities services, water treatment, compliance consulting, and environmental services.

The company adopts a consultancy-led approach with its clients, enabling MSS to propose a support services package tailored to each client’s needs and creating embedded and long-term client relationships.

36. Creating Enterprise (Mochdre)

Established: 2015 Growth (2018-2020): 97%

Creating Enterprise, which topped last year's Fast Growth 50, delivers essential property services to Cartrefi Conwy’s portfolio of almost 4,000 properties including planned maintenance, facility management, environmental improvements, central heating installation and fuel servicing.

It also specialise in building modular homes, partnering with Beattie Passive to exclusively build their innovative product across North Wales. The profits are invested into a social purpose which is to help tenants and local people into employment, training and volunteer opportunities.

37. Gower View Foods (Cross Hands)

Established: 2007 Growth (2018-2020): 95%

Gower View Foods has become one of the UK’s most recognised independent butter packer, supplying leading brands for many of the major retailers and food service providers throughout the UK and Europe.

Based at its purpose-built manufacturing facility in Carmarthenshire, its co-packing capabilities range from butter production in all sizes from portions through to bulk blocks in various packaging types.

38. NWP Electrical & Mechanical (St Asaph)

Established: 1996 Growth (2018-2020): 91%

NWP was twenty five years ago and provides a full range of electrical and mechanical engineering and contracting services for main contractors throughout the country.

It employs electrical and mechanical engineers, designers, technicians, cable jointers, approved electricians and mechanical fitters to meet today’s high standards for all types of electrical and mechanical installation work from design and build projects to power distribution systems.

39. PHG Consulting Engineers (Cardiff)

Established: 2013 Growth (2018-2020): 91%

PHG is a firm of consulting civil and structural engineers that undertakes work that ranges from supporting planning applications with detailed below ground drainage design and sustainable surface water disposal, to providing structural engineering advice and details to refurbishment work at the National Museum of Wales at Cathays Park.

It is also a leader in cinema structural design and refurbishments and undertakes numerous commissions including large extensions for new Imax and 4DX auditoriums.

40. Lexington Corporate Finance (Cardiff)

Established: 2016 Growth (2018-2020): 90%

Lexington Corporate Finance is a professional advisory firm specialising in M&A and transactional activity. It is a team of eleven people who manage and advise upon multi-million pound business sales, acquisitions, mergers, debt and equity fund raising.

Typical transaction sizes are in the range between £5m and £50m . It advises works some of the largest independent owner-managed and family businesses across Wales and the south of the UK.

41. BECT Building Contractors (Cardiff)

Established: 1983 Growth (2018-2020): 89%

Over the last 38 years, BECT has aimed to bring quality, innovation, and reliability to the disciplines of civil engineering, construction, refurbishment and facilities management.

Since its inception, it has established an excellent reputation for project delivery in a range of sectors including residential, hotels and leisure, health, further and higher education, office, retail and industrial. Its ethos is to ensure that the firm’s goals align with those of clients to ensure a collaborative and successful outcome for all.

42. Bootlegger Bars (Cardiff)

Established: 2016 Growth (2018-2020): 87%

With four bars across the UK, the Bootlegger is a 'post-Prohibition' inspired local live music event venue that serves well-crafted freshly made cocktails as well as other high end drinks, and will soon be serving platters. It hosts local live music and events allowing the community to collaborate and enjoy local talent together as well as hosting international talent.

Over the next five years, Bootleggers plans to open 20 bars in various locations all over the UK with several in Wales.

43. Prichard’s (Llantrisant)

Established: 1995 Growth (2018-2020): 85%

Based in Llantrisant, Prichard's is a leading provider of construction and support services to both the private and public sectors throughout Wales, the Midlands, the south-west and London. It has a workforce of 200 which has grown steadily and maintains a reputation for high quality workmanship, competitive costs, project management with an excellent health and safety record.

Plans for the future are for continuous growth and ensuring the business is working towards a target carbon footprint and becoming an environmentally green company.

44. Graff-City (Abergavenny)

Established: 2012 Growth (2018-2020): 79%

Born from a passion of graffiti art, Graff-City is so much more than a retailer of street art resources. Essentially, it’s a business helping an artform once synonymous with vandalism to become an accepted and appreciated artistic discipline.

Over the next five years, Graff-City’s goals are to extend its global reach through online e-commerce channels, to become a more sustainable, eco-friendly business to open more store fronts.

45. LCB Construction (Cardiff)

Established: 2012 Growth (2018-2020): 78%

LCB Construction is a Cardiff-based firm with offices in RCT, Newport and Bristol. It operates in the building and maintenance industry for several public sector clients such as housing associations, councils and blue-chip private sector customers.

LCB’s business activities include responsive and planned maintenance, vacant property repairs, commercial newbuild, maintenance and refurbishment, and newbuild residential and development works.

46. 2buy2.com (Bridgend)

Established: 2009 Growth (2018-2020): 77%

2buy2 deliver procurement consultancy and digital products to a range of sectors including education, charity and business.

Using innovative technology, aggregation (group buying) and framework supplier agreements, 2buy2 helps organisations achieve value for money and savings, particularly where there is no dedicated in-house procurement resource.

47. Genpower (Pembroke Dock)

Established: 2006 Growth (2018-2020): 75%

Genpower is the UK distributor for Hyundai Power Products and supplies a wide range of machinery and powertools to the UK market. The aim of the business to be the biggest distributor for engine driven power equipment in the UK and to make the Hyundai brand the number one for outdoor power equipment in the home use market.

The growth Genpower is experiencing is fuelled by the value for money that the Hyundai products offer backed up by a dedicated UK based parts and aftersales team.

48. The Consumer Helpline (Swansea)

Established: 2015 Growth (2018-2020): 73%

The Consumer Helpline specialises in outsourced telephony work, focused predominately on the utilities industry. Established in 2015 and headquartered in Swansea, the company has grown year on year and is one of the largest of its kind in South Wales, employing over 200 call centre staff servicing twelve separate partners.

In the next five years, the business is looking to continue to grow and is aiming to surpass 500 employees and ultimately wants to become one of the largest employers for contact centre work in South Wales.

49. GS Verde (Cardiff)

Established: 2013 Growth (2018-2020): 72%

GS Verde is a group with multiple professional disciplines who operate together as one team. It specialises in advice relating to mergers and acquisitions, growth capital including both equity and debt raises strategic communication and detailed due diligence.

It is able to provide end to end support throughout corporate transactions and teams have experts that advise on legal, corporate finance, finance and valuations, communication and tax. As a result, it is able to give the complete advisory support needed on a transaction by combining multiple disciplines as one team.

50. Sgiliau Cyf (Cross Keys)

Established: 2016 Growth (2018-2020): 68%

Sgiliau Cyf operates in the education and training sector specialising in supporting young NEETs (not in education, employment or training aged 16 to 24) as well as school pupils that are not achieving in mainstream secondary education.

The learning and personal development programmes provided for these young people is focused on creative practical activities that importantly are hands-on and engaging.