Thorns is named among Europe's fastest-growing firms

1 Nov 2004

Thorns Group has been heralded an industry “role model” and a “champion of growth” after being named as one of Europe’s fastest-growing companies.

The group – a leading supplier of equipment and services to the events, exhibitions and conference sectors – has been ranked among “Europe’s 500”, an annual listing of the 500 most dynamic and entrepreneurial-driven businesses across the continent.

With backing from leading global firms such as 3i, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Microsoft, the “Europe’s 500” listing recognises the recent growth of Thorns Group, which has used takeovers and organic growth to reinforce its position as one of the UK’s leading independent firms.

The group, which has bases in London, Manchester and Birmingham, supplies a broad range of services, including furniture and catering equipment hire, electrical and power supplies and exhibition shell schemes.

Europe’s Entrepreneurs for Growth, the organisation behind “Europe’s 500”, uses its annual listing to recognise what it describes as firms that have “managed to sustain growth since the year 2000, boosting employment and sales at an impressive average annual rate of 15%”.

Commenting on Thorns Group’s listing at number 249 on the 2004 index, Philippe Leonard of “Europe’s 500” said: “Given the economic environment of the last few years, Thorns Group’s continued growth is a real achievement. Europe needs to stimulate employment through more fast-growing companies like Thorns Group; we believe that these champions of growth should be recognised as role models.”

Thorns Group will be officially recognised and honoured for its achievements at a high-profile awards dinner taking place in Paris on December 7.

Thorns Group’s managing director Graham Langley-Jones warmly welcomed the listing. “We are very proud of our inclusion among Europe’s 500 fastest-growing companies,” he said. “We see this honour as a reflection of the extremely high standards of service we provide and the tremendous working relationships we enjoy with our clients. It is also a tribute to the entire Thorns Group team, who have helped establish us as a leading player throughout the events, exhibitions and conference sectors.”

The latest accolade follows a remarkable period for Thorns Group, which has already received a number of other top national and international honours. The business has been included repeatedly in the Inner City 100 index, a government-backed initiative that recognises the fastest-growing firms in the UK’s urban areas.

It has also been presented with the prestigious Capital Award in recognition of its contribution to its local community and for employing the highest number of people within a one-mile radius of its base. In addition, the group is also a former winner at “The Special Event” Gala Awards, the event industry’s “Oscars”, staged in Orlando, Florida.