St Austell Brewery has been ranked among Britain’s leading private mid-market growth companies with the biggest sales for the second year running.
Appearing in 173rd place on the list — up two positions on 2017 — with annual sales of £169 million, the company is among just nine from the South West to appear on the 14th annual Sunday Times Grant Thornton Top Track 250 league table, published at the weekend.
The brewery, which in 2018 won the Queen’s Award for its work in sustainable development, has an award-winning estate of nearly 180 pubs and hotels across the South West.
It now operates out of its original St Austell headquarters and its recently completed new brewery at Bath Ales, in Warmley, as well as its logistics centres in St Columb, Ilfracombe, Heathfield and Avonmouth.
Chief executive, James Staughton, said: “The business has enjoyed a period of unprecedented growth over recent years, and our strategic acquisition of Bath Ales has given us the extra resource to continue to secure our presence across the South West and further develop the reach of the business in the coming years.”
The league table and awards programme is sponsored by Grant Thornton and Lloyds Banking Group, and compiled by Fast Track, the Oxford-based research and networking events company.
Tim Lincoln, partner at Grant Thornton UK LLP, said: “Advances in robotics and artificial intelligence, the pervasive challenge of cybercrime, and the uncertain impacts of Brexit are among the significant issues facing Britain today.
“If we are to continue turning innovative ideas into businesses with international scale, we all need to play our part in shaping a vibrant economy that thrives. In this, the role of the mid-market is crucial.
“Resilient despite the headwinds, the Top Track 250 are innovating, winning business and adapting to generate value. There is much to learn from them.”
» Major investment for St Austell during 2017
» St Austell scoops top marketing award
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