Direct Healthcare Group ranks first in the Sunday Times BDO Profit Track 100 league table
Pressure care manufacturer Direct Healthcare Group has been ranked first in the 2021 annual Sunday Times BDO Profit Track 100, a list which ranks Britain’s 100 private companies with the fastest-growing profits over the last three years.
The firm’s inclusion in The Sunday Times list, which can be viewed here, is considered highly prestigious, with previous top ranked companies in the list including some of the UK’s biggest brands and retailers.
Particular recognition has been given to the important contribution that Direct Healthcare Group, and other companies on the list, have made to the UK and international markets during the pandemic.
Direct Healthcare Group’s six brands produce equipment and devices to aid patient mobility, such as pressure-relieving mattresses, cushions and lifting aids.
Graham Ewart, CEO of Direct Healthcare Group, said: “It is with great pride that Direct Healthcare Group have been ranked as the number one company in this year’s BDO Profit Track 100.
“I’m extremely happy that the hard work and dedication from all at Direct Healthcare Group has been recognised on such a large scale.
“DHG remain firmly committed to designing and manufacturing medical devices that truly make a difference to those who suffer poor health as a result of reduced mobility.”
The medical device supplier operates a 100,000 square foot factory in Caerphilly, Wales, as well as smaller facilities in Halifax and Romsey, Hampshire.
The firm had a landmark year in 2020 after it almost trebled sales, making four acquisitions. Of last year’s four acquisitions three were overseas: Swedish rehabilitation aids provider Gate Rehab Development, the patient-handling division of Swedish group Handicare, and Finnish manufacturer Carital Group. Its fourth acquisition, of Sunderland-based Lynch Healthcare Group, helped to boost its patient handling portfolio in the UK.
The group has a direct presence in a further five European countries — the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland — and distributes to 45 countries from its office in Perth, Australia.
Global expansion has been key to its overall growth. Exports rocketed to an annualised £27.6 million to December 2020, up from £3.1 million in 2019, and total sales hit an annualised £61.7 million. This helped profits rise to £7.1 million, having grown by an average of 133 per cent a year since 2017.
According to The Sunday Times, the firm has invested heavily in research and development, with the result that 45 per cent of revenue now comes from products it has patented. A soon-to-be-launched device allows mattresses to be adjusted remotely via an app.
With such innovations, Direct Healthcare is looking beyond the pandemic. It expects sales to reach £89.4 million this year, with profits of £18.5 million. It acquired Hampshire-based Talley and United Care in Holland last month, and is looking to enter the American market.
