Market-leading craft retailer Crafter’s Companion has ranked at number 52 in the prestigious 2017 Sunday Times Lloyds SME Export Track 100 list, following international sales of £6 million over the past two years. One of four North East companies to make the list, the Aycliffe-based business has grown significantly from a small start-up into a global enterprise, now exporting to Europe, Scandinavia, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and North and South America. The annual Sunday Times Lloyds SME Export Track 100 league recognises the 100 small and medium-sized (SME) companies in Britain with the fastest-growing international sales over the previous two years.
Founded in 2005 by awardwinning entrepreneur Sara Davies MBE, Crafter’s Companion has enjoyed continued growth, building upon last year’s move to a new 15,724 sq ft head office at Horndale Centre, Aycliffe Business Park and two successful retail store openings. Company founder Sara Davies said: “Our journey into export has gained significant momentum over the last two years, and we are delighted to have witnessed our small family start-up grow both here in the North East and as an internationally-recognised leading craft supplier. “It’s fantastic to see fellow North East businesses succeed and be recognised on a global stage. We look forward to continuing to drive the business forward over the coming years and exploring some new markets and what they have to offer.”
This year’s SME Export Track 100 businesses will attend a celebratory awards dinner, held on Tuesday 9th May 2017 at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel in London. Crafter’s Companion currently employs more than 100 staff across the UK, selling products online, through its own outlets and independent retailers, and regularly presenting workshops and demonstrations in store and on TV shopping channels shown across the world. For further information about Crafter’s Companion, visit www.crafterscompanion.co.uk. The full Sunday Times Lloyds SME Export track 100 list can be found at www.fasttrack.co.uk.
