A SPECIALIST Apple computer shop started by school friends is the latest high-growth company to be profiled as part of The Argus’ Sussex Super Growth awards coverage.

Solutions Inc., in Old Shoreham Road, was founded in 1992 by Brighton College students John Pavin and Aiden Bowen long before Apple became a global success story. The company, which employs more than 100 staff, has since expanded with five more retail stores covering Chichester, Bournemouth, Guildford, St. Albans and Chelmsford, and in the last three years grew by more than 50%.

The Hove store recently became the first and only store in the UK to stock MakerBot 3D printers – the biggest manufacturer of its kind in the world.

In addition to their retail branches, Solutions Inc. is also an Apple Education Expert and has an upstairs training room where pupils from local schools attend ‘digital genius days’. Students discover what it is like to work in a technology company – with the latest project an opportunity to design, build and race an electric Formula E car.

Founder John Pavin said: “We’re always looking at the latest piece of technology.

“I think the ten-year-old of today playing with a 3D printer will go on to be the next James Dyson.”

Sussex Super Growth, a partnership with asb Law, Lloyds, Reeves and The Argus, is a comprehensive index of the most high-growth companies in the county, with the full list to be revealed in March.