Independent grocery retailers and wholesalers have recorded a strong presence on The Sunday Times’ Top Track 250 ranking of Britain’s mid-market private companies. Northern Irish company Henderson Group was the highest-ranked wholesaler, at number 29, with sales of £407.6m and an operating profit of £12.7m in the year to December 2007.

Fellow wholesalers Dhamecha Foods, James Hall & Co, Capper & Co, Parfetts and CJ Lang & Son also made the list, as did independent retailer TJ Morris, frozen food discounter Farm­foods, supermarket chain Booths and forecourt operator Snax 24.

Thirty-five grocery companies in all were ranked, including Ocado, Weetabix and Warburtons. Pork pie and pasty manufacturer Samworth Brothers was the highest-ranked food and drink company, in fourth place with £518.8m sales and £37.7m profit in the year to December 2006.

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