Marlin Chemicals Ltd represented by director Diana White. L-R Clive Stevens from Reeves, Diana White, Geraldine Allinson KM Group chairman and David Rawlance from Lloyds TSB Commercial.

by business editor Trevor Sturgess

An international chemical distribution firm has given its staff a half-day holiday after being named the county’s fastest-growing business.

Marlin Chemicals, based at Marle Place, Brenchley, has swept to top spot in Kent and Medway MegaGrowth 50 for 2012 after hiking turnover by 282% over the past four years.

At a breakfast presentation ceremony in Turkey Mill, Maidstone, director Diana White was presented with a large framed certificate to mark the remarkable achievement.

The family-owned company, founded by Gerald Williams nearly 30 years ago, has featured several times in the MegaGrowth tables over the years but this is the first time it has reached Number One.

Mrs White was delighted. She said the firm would celebrate by opening a bottle of Champagne and giving staff a half-day holiday. She put the firm’s success down to the quality of the 13-strong team, long-term relationships with suppliers, and economic growth in Latin America which had prospered while Western Europe had struggled. Half the firm’s revenue is earned overseas.

“Gerald Williams deserves huge praise for what’s been achieved,” she said. “From small beginnings, and a dream of being a first-class representative for overseas companies to being the fastest-growing company in Kent makes us hugely proud.”

She added that Kent’s location gave the firm an edge because of its proximity to major airports and, through the Channel Tunnel, to mainland Europe.

Select Surveys of Wrotham, a site surveying specialist business, was second (166% growth) and Diamond Point International (Europe), a hi-tech computer solutions enterprise, of Medway City Estate, third (120%).

The annual listing, now in its 11th year, is produced by Lloyds TSB Commercial, Reeves, the accounting firm with offices in Canterbury, Chatham Maritime, Gatwick and London, and the KM Group.

Geraldine Allinson, KMG chairman, told around 100 guests: “We are delighted to be part of this unique celebration of achievement. Businesses from across the county are being recognised for their resilience and continued growth in the most challenging of times.”

Clive Stevens, Reeves’ managing partner, said: “With all the negative news surrounding business in the national press, it is often hard to see the more positive stories but after analysing MegaGrowth 50 this year, there are still plenty of encouraging signs.”

David Rawlance, senior manager for Lloyds TSB Commercial in Kent, added: “This list once again celebrates outstanding local companies which continue to grow profitably despite economic challenges.”

[blob] A special MegaGrowth 50 2012 supplement is in Kent Business this week, included with most KM Group paid-for newspapers. Full details are also at www.kentbusiness.co.uk