It’s no secret that Stoke-on-Trent is a brilliant place to do business. With our hyper-central location, brilliant connectivity and second-to-none amenities, innovative businesses have been flocking here in their droves.
Here, we hand-pick the cream of the crop, as we examine companies big and small in Staffordshire who have been disrupting the landscape and making all the right noise. This list will expand as and when businesses make exciting strides, so make sure you keep checking back for more!
Inspired Film & Video
The statistics for video are staggering, and the medium is only growing more and more each day. That’s why Inspired – a Stoke-on-Trent-based creative video company – are at the forefront of evolutionary success in the region. They’ve bagged an additional £100k in revenue over the past year thanks to the development of some amazing new products, and their Business Development Manager, Mike, puts it down to their relentless innovation. He recently said: “Innovation is something that we have to do. Technology is changing, and it’s getting easier for people to make films and create their own content, so it is becoming a very competitive market”. Having recently added e-learning and AR to their portfolio, and working with giants such as Marks & Spencer and the NHS, we’ve no doubt that their growth is set to be stratospheric.
Best of British Beer
This Silverdale-based business was started by local husband and wife Will & Gill Sherwin, Best of British Beer work with over 250 breweries to bring the UK’s finest craft ales to the doorsteps of customers. In seven years, they’ve outgrown three premises after seeing a ten-fold increase in sales, and this year they’re looking to launch “Best of Belgian” – championing Belgian beers. They’re also currently developing a range of new products and exclusive gifts for Selfridges, and have worked with other notable retailers including Waitrose, Funky Pigeon and notonthehighstreet!
Haultech Solutions
Haultech are a leading light in their field, developing a groundbreaking technology for logistics and transport businesses across the country. It helps companies to streamline their processes, minimise workloads and generate savings – thereby being able to seamlessly compete with bigger entities. They’re currently experiencing an exciting period of growth, and next year are aiming to introduce a bespoke service team that will provide first-class support for their clients.
Premier Foods
Premier Foods produce some of the UK’s most beloved treats, including Mr. Kipling and Cadbury cakes, Angel Delight and more – and their factory is based right here in Trent Vale! They’ve seen a 14% jump in profits over the past 6 months alone, much of which they attribute to the relaunch of the Mr Kipling brand. The business is looking to shake things up and re-strategize in 2019, so it goes without saying that they’re one to keep an eye on.
JHPS Gardens
This award-winning, Galveston Grove-based landscaping team are on track to secure growth of 27% and exceed turnover of £1m by the end of 2018, as they’ve simultaneously announced plans to launch two new businesses in 2019. If that wasn’t enough, they’re also opening a new premises in Barlaston – phew! RoHort will be the first of their new enterprises – an environmental consultancy which offers a range of technical architectural documents and services for architects and developers. The second is a garden furniture manufacturer, The Oak Pot Company. Their aim eventually is to have all their companies under the Planterra Group umbrella.
Bet365
We’d be remiss to write a blog about Stoke-on-Trent’s biggest hitters and not include mention of bet365. Recently, it was revealed that founder Denise Coates is the highest-paid woman in the world – taking home a cool £265m annually and out-earning the CEO of Apple. To think: it all started from a portacabin in Stoke-on-Trent…!
Join the conversation
Do you think we’ve missed anyone out? Is your business one to watch? Let us know at @SmithfieldST1!