Pictured: (l-r) Contigo directors Jonathan Yeomans and Adrian Bullock with Lynda Ferrarin (centre) from the University of Warwick Science Park Business Innovation Centre on Blythe Valley Park 

A West Midlands provider of trading and logistics software for the energy industry has been recognised as one of the fastest growing companies in Europe. 

Contigo, based in Solihull at the University of Warwick Science Park's Business Innovation Centre on Blythe Valley Park, has come a long way since being launched in a back bedroom in 2006.

The firm has been included in the '2011 Deloitte UK Technology Fast 50' which ranks the country's fastest-growing technology companies based on percentage growth in revenue over five years. Contigo has been listed third in the West Midlands and 28th in the UK. 

Contigo has moved three times within the Business Innovation Centre over the last five years and has grown to employ 21 people, and is set to expand its team further in the coming months.

The company has also just won its first European contract with French company Compagnie Nationale du Rhône (CNR), while its expanding UK client base also includes E.ON, Centrica, EDF, First Utility, DRAX Power and npower. 

Director Jonathan Yeomans said the firm, which had a turnover of £1.2 million last year and profits of £300,000, had enjoyed significant year on year growth.

"We're fast becoming a market leader in addressing both energy retail portfolio management and fuel logistics and being named in Deloitte's Fast 50 is recognition of the massive strides we've made," he said. 

"Our products are now being used by companies of all sizes, from smaller retailers across the Midlands to many of the UK's largest energy providers, and now also on the continent. 

"The last year has been a strong period for the company and in line with the growth we've enjoyed, we are looking to add at least three new people to the team by the end of the year, all of which will be highly skilled jobs." 

The opportunity to grow within the Innovation Centre was a major factor behind the company's decision to set-up base on at Blythe Valley Park according to director Adrian Bullock, who launched Contigo along with Jonathan and Simon Piercy.

Adrian said: "We all had strong backgrounds in utility industry IT, and for the first six months we worked out of my back bedroom, which was a bit of a challenge!

"We then moved into the Innovation Centre, which has been perfect for us. The flexibility we've had here has suited us well, as so far we've moved within the centre three times to support our growth and I can see us being based on the park for some time."

Lynda Ferrarin, from the University of Warwick Science Park's Business Innovation Centre, added: "Contigo started out with a 300 sq ft office at the centre and in five years has enjoyed major success which has seen them move several times within the building. 

"Being named in the Deloitte Fast 50 shows just how successful they have been and we look forward to working with the company to support their continued growth and success."