Ilkley’s Cloud Nine ranked in Britain’s top 100 fastest growing SME exporters

Hair tool brand Cloud Nine, based in Ilkley, has finished in the top 100 businesses featured in the brand new Sunday Times BT Business SME Export Track 100 league table.

The firm’s placing comes in the year that marks the first time Britain’s private small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) with the fastest-growing international sales over the last two years have been ranked.

Cloud Nine hair tools, created by Robert Powls - the founder of GHD, include straightening irons, wands and patented heated roller system The O, and all use pioneering, patented technology for exact heat delivery and minimised damage to hair for kinder styling.

Furthermore, the Yorkshire firm is already seeing success in the international market, as Cloud Nine products are currently exported to 14 countries worldwide. Export sales have grown exponentially over the last four years, from just over 2 million in 2011 to 4.5 million in 2014.

Martin Rae, managing director at Cloud Nine, said: “To achieve a top 100 listing in this league table to celebrate our global export achievements so far is a significant milestone for us. When we launched the brand back in 2009, we always had global growth in our sights and this accolade proves that we are on track to reach this goal.

“We are firm believers in the pioneering nature of our product and our popularity with consumers and salons alike speaks volumes. Continuing to develop our global footprint and play a part in the growth of both the Yorkshire and UK economy is exciting for us and we’re very much looking forward to continuing this success.”

The SME Export Track 100 is sponsored by BT Business and is supported by the Business is GREAT Britain campaign. The rankings are compiled by Fast Track, the Oxford-based research and networking events company.

Danny Longbottom, managing director of UK SME at BT Business, commented: “I would like to congratulate the businesses recognised in the inaugural Export Track 100, who are proving that it’s not necessarily size that determines international success. These businesses have used a combination of self-starting ambition, smart use of technology, and sheer hard work to punch well above their weight in the global market. The fruits of their labour are contributing to a strong and diverse UK economy, which we can all be thankful for.”