SIX North-East and North Yorkshire firms have been listed on the Sunday Times Grant Thornton Top Track 250, which champions the UK’s most successful midmarket companies.

The list, to be published on Sunday, shows that, despite the tough economic climate, these six firms alone achieved combined sales of £2bn, a collective profit of £150m, and employed 8,199 people.

Now in its eighth year, the Top Track 250 identifies the UK’s most successful midmarket private companies which have reported increased sales or operating profit in their latest available accounts.

Middlesbrough FC chairman Steve Gibson’s logistics firm Bulkhaul, which specialises in the transport of chemicals in the form of liquids, powders or gases, made its first appearance on the table. Ranked 176th, it reported sales of £222m, profits of £18.5m and employed 830 staff last year.

Shepherd Group, ranked in the top three on the league table, also features in the Top Track 250 for the first time, having managed to increase sales 15 per cent to £607m last year, despite the continued difficulties in the construction market. Its modular Portakabins have helped drive growth.

Ice cream firm R&R, which has its headquarters in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, was ranked 41st, with sales of £434m, while Middlesbrough- based Cleveland Cable Company came in at 188th, with £213m sales.

Two Tyneside companies – car dealership Benfield Motor Group and defence manufacturer Pearson Engineering, both in Newcastle – came in at 50th and 247th after making total sales of £417m and £170m respectively.