SMS Electronics
Growth per annum over three years: 122.1%
Position: 4
SMS is a jewel among Nottingham's manufacturers. Formerly part of Siemens, it was the subject of a management buy-out just over ten years ago.
It is one of Europe's leading electronic services companies, making high-quality products such as video conferencing equipment and innovative medical products.
SMS, led by managing director Mark Goldby, heads the league table in Notts of the five fastest-growing businesses. It has grown its profits by an average of 122.1% a year over the past three years.
Today, the company employs just short of 200 staff, turning over £50m a year. Pre-tax profits come in at £1.9m. Customers include blue-chip global electronics businesses.
It leads the way with its high-definition video conferencing equipment.
Mr Goldby explained the remarkable growth in profits: "It is driven primarily by two products.
"Video conferencing technology has been around for at least a couple of decades but it has really come of age because of the availability of widespread, high-speed broadband.
"The inter-connectivity between video conferencing systems has improved significantly to the point where the imagery and the audio is now in high definition, which makes the experience so much more genuine, believable and engaging.
"It has also come of age in terms of economic and political pressures around travel. Twenty years ago, company car users were incentivised to get their tax break by using the car.
"Now, it is the other way – reducing air travel and employees travelling between sites. It is a green product with green credentials. That is why it has come of age."
Today, depending on the size of an office, it can cost from around £40,000 to £50,000 to several million pounds to equip a large international, multi-based company. There is a size for everyone, says Mr Goldby.
SMS manufactures the processor while cameras and lenses are made in the Far East. SMS assembles the system.
It continues a long line of leading-edge manufacturers from its Beeston site, originally a manufacturing facility for Ericsson Telecommunications, making switch gears for telephone exchanges.
Siemens acquired the site and ten years ago it was bought by a group of five senior managers. Today, it is engaged in broad sectors such as communications, medical, industrial, military, sciences and security.