One hundred of the most digitally transformational, resilient and innovative businesses in the Leeds City Region have been recognised in this year’s Digital Enterprise TOP 100 report, which has been announced today following a highly competitive nominations process.
Small and medium-sized businesses from across nine Leeds City Region local authority areas (Leeds, Kirklees, York, Harrogate, Craven, Calderdale, Bradford, Selby and Wakefield) feature in the TOP 100, which can now be viewed online. The businesses included in this year’s index represent a diverse range of industries from innovative shed build and design firm Power Sheds; popular Viking-themed visitor attraction The JORVIK Group; digital training and suppliers for drones, Coptrz and car exterior design and modifications company, Maxton Designs.
The Digital Enterprise TOP 100 profiles and celebrates those companies that use digital technologies in the most innovate and transformational ways. Innovation and digital transformation are at the very heart of helping businesses to do more and go further. They are key to building a sustainable and resilient economy and can be recognised not just in products and services but also across management processes and business operations.
The index also highlights ten ‘Leading Lights’ that the judges believe deserve a special mention. One of these companies is Power Sheds, a Bradford-based shed manufacturer which has harnessed digital tools to become a multi-million-pound company in little over three years of trading.
Co-Founder and CEO Jack Sutcliffe said: “The shed industry is quite an old-fashioned industry, and whilst working with Simon (Hobson) at another company we noticed there were a lot of things we were doing that we felt we could do better ourselves. After my 11 years and Simon’s 27 years of working there, we took the risk to leave our jobs and start out on our own from scratch.”
Jack Sutcliffe (left) and Simon Hobson (right), Founders of Power Sheds.
“With the help of some computer-aided design (CAD) and digital software we designed a shed that fits on a pallet that can be delivered through the pallet network. Our innovative approach to design massively reduced lead times from the 6 to 8-week industry standard which can be a pain point for customers. We can deliver a shed anywhere in the UK next day.”
“It is amazing to be recognised as a Leading Light of the Digital Enterprise TOP 100. The support from the Digital Enterprise has been amazing and has played a key role in making us one of the most exciting UK start-ups going.”
Digital Enterprise Programme Lead Suzanne Bradbury added: “As a judge on this year’s panel it was great to see so many impressive applications. These 100 diverse and innovative businesses from across the Leeds City Region are shining examples of how digital investment really can help. By harnessing new technologies, they have been able to adapt and grow their businesses and overcome many challenges in a consistently evolving business landscape.
Suzanne Bradbury, Programme Manager at Digital Enterprise.
“The quality of the entries was so high that it made the judging process quite a challenge! Congratulations to all of the companies that were nominated and we are looking forward to celebrating all the successful entrants at the TOP 100 Celebration Event and beyond.”
The campaign will continue with the publication of the TOP 100 Index and a celebration event, taking place at Headrow House in Leeds. At the event, guests will be able to meet with campaign partners, local business leaders and fellow members of the TOP 100 and hear from the Leading Lights of the campaign.
The Digital Enterprise TOP 100 is produced in partnership with UMi and in partnership with sponsors Calder IT and Digital Business Communications. For further information about the Digital Enterprise business support programme go to www.digitalenterprise.co.uk