The 2024 Belfast Telegraph Top 100 Companies is published today with medical diagnostics firm Randox Holdings named the number one company for the second year in a row.
The Top 100, produced in partnership with business advisory firm Grant Thornton, has been compiled by independent economist Maureen O’Reilly in order of pre-tax profits. The top two companies are both Northern Ireland-owned, a first in the history of The Top 100.
Randox, which is based in Crumlin, Co Antrim, scored the top spot with pre-tax profits of £189.8m in the year to June 2022. The firm held UK contracts to carry out Covid-19 tests during the pandemic.
Pharma firm Almac Group was in the number two spot with pre-tax profits of £96.7m, with Terex GB at number three with pre-tax profits of £71.3m.
Richard Gillan, managing partner of Grant Thornton Northern Ireland, said: “Grant Thornton is delighted to once again partner with the Belfast Telegraph to recognise and celebrate the Top 100 Companies.
“As the trusted advisor of many of the firms on the list, we fully appreciate the talent, vision and commitment that is driving their business success.”
Mr Gillan added: “The Top 100 provides a unique insight into Northern Ireland’s economic landscape, showcasing the exceptional resilience of our local businesses from a wide range of sectors, from pharmaceuticals and engineering to construction, food manufacturing and private healthcare. This year’s guide is no different.
“What is different from last year, however, is that the Northern Ireland Executive has returned and generated a renewed sense of optimism.
“However, our politicians know that there are tough decisions to be made if they are to deliver for our business community and ensure Northern Ireland’s future prosperity.”
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Martin Breen, deputy editor-in chief of the Belfast Telegraph and Sunday Life, said: “We’re delighted to publish the 2024 Belfast Telegraph Top 100 in partnership with Grant Thornton, a must-read guide to the most successful companies powering the Northern Ireland economy. Thank you to Grant Thornton for their support.
“We also owe a big thank you to economist Maureen O’Reilly for her work on compiling the Top 100 and the insights she has brought to the process. Congratulations to all the companies featured. We’re proud to showcase your success through our publication.”
Dr Peter Fitzgerald, managing director of Randox, said its results over the last two years “reflect both our core business and our agile response to the Covid-19 pandemic”.
“From a standing start, Randox developed one of the largest PCR laboratories in Europe and processed around 27 million samples to support both the UK’s National Testing Programme and private testing, in the latter case largely to enable international travel.
“We have now returned to post-pandemic norms and, with the benefit of our strong balance sheet, have re-invested significantly in our research and development and manufacturing capacity. We will shortly be launching a number of exciting new market-leading products that we believe will drive the long-term future growth of the business.
“We remain convinced that our early, more accurate diagnostic technologies are the solution to hospital waiting lists, and are critical to the sustainable healthcare systems required for the future”.