CENTRAL TELECOM LISTED IN DELOITTE'S FAST 50
For the third successive year, Burton-based communications specialists Central Telecom have been recognised for their sustained growth and contribution to the local economy by being named in the Deloitte Fast 50 Technology List, which champions innovation in the technology sector.
Over the past 12 months the company, whose headquarters is The Maltings on Wetmore Road in the town, has recorded a growth rate of 76%, a 21% increase on its 2003 figures, to take its place once again in the 2004 Midlands Technology Fast 50, a unique annual study of the region's fastest growing high-technology companies.
The Fast 50 programme , which was launched in the UK in 1998 by professional services firm, Deloitte , identifies the trends that are shaping the technology, media and telecommunications sectors today. It tracks the growth rates of technology companies in seven regions of the UK and Ireland and recognises those companies that have shown impressive growth rates in the telecommunications, hardware, software and biotechnology markets over a three year period. This year's programme studied percentage growth in turnover over the three years from 2001 to 2003.
Central Telecom was founded in 1985 and is now one of the UK 's most successful systems integrators, employing more than 185 staff across its three sites in Burton-on-Trent , Guildford and London . It implements leading edge communication solutions across a diverse range of market sectors and has 250,000 end users, ranging from SME's to blue-chip and public sector organisations. It has also established itself as a specialist provider of CRM, e-business, VOIP (Voice over IP), convergence and flexible working solutions.
It is one of only 4 Avaya Platinum Partners and recently became the first Avaya business partner to receive a Channel Marketing Award award in recognition of the outstanding achievements of its in-house marketing department.
It has recently been awarded the prestigious Voice Solution 'Partner' Status from Nortel Networks, a global leader in internet systems and communications.
The company can also count the titles of Microsoft Business Solutions Partner, Mitel Platinum Partner, BT Premier Partner, Cisco Premier Partner and Siemens IP Solutions Partner amongst its growing list of credits.
Central recently scooped the Best SME Converged Solution at this year's Channel Network Awards , the 'Oscars' of the telecommunications industry, for a leading edge, fully integrated call centre solution implemented on behalf of Telecomplus, a multi-utility company, which provides fixed telephony, mobile telephony, gas, electric and internet services.
Its customer base has grown by more than 35% over the past 12 months, despite severe market competition and as a result turnover topped the £20 million mark this financial year for the first time in the company's history. Jobs have been created at all levels and across all of the company's operating bases and its recruitment programme is set to continue into 2005.
"Central Telecom is committed to providing an unsurpassable level of quality, value and personalised service to both its existing and prospective customers and it is this philosophy that has driven our continued growth," commented Central Telecom Managing Director Andrew McDougall.
"We are delighted that our continued growth has been rewarded with a listing in this year's Deloitte Midlands Fast 50 and will continue to invest heavily to ensure that we remain the first choice for our customers by providing them with flexible, dedicated solutions and support tailored to meet their total communication needs," added Andrew.
Chris Robertson, partner in charge of Deloitte's Technology, Media and Communications Group in the Midlands commented:
'Growing a company's topline enough to make the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 is especially meaningful during tough economic times for the technology sector.
"We congratulate Central Telecom on becoming one of the 50 fastest growing technology companies in the Midlands ".
Andrew Hornigold, Corporate Partner at sponsors Pinsents and Head of the firm's Technology Chosen Market, added:
"The Fast 50 Awards is an extremely competitive programme and we salute this year's winners for consistently demonstrating phenomenal growth over the past five years, particularly in the face of increased international competition. Once again the standard of the entrants was extremely high, confirming the strength and resilience of the region's technology industry."
