Raw pet food brand Naturaw has secured a six-figure growth package from the Northern Powerhouse fund as it steps up production at its Yorkshire factory.
The business, founded by Jess Warneken in 2014, doubled the size of its team to 35 staff and took on a second unit at its home on a Wetherby industrial estate in the past 18 months to deal with rapid expansion.
It will use the funding from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II and Mercia Debt Finance to support a step-up in production at its newly enlarged factory.
“Dogs are designed to eat fresh, natural, raw food rather than processed ingredients and we’re passionate about creating the best raw food we can,” Warneken said.
“As demand continued to rise, it was clear we had outgrown our existing premises, and we had no option but to take on and fit out a second unit.”
Naturaw provides high-welfare raw meat sourced from British farms in plastic-free packaging. The registered B Corp supplies more than 15,000 pet owners, as well as independent pet shops and grooming parlours.
Warneken started the business, alongside partner Tom Johnson, after her Rhodesian Ridgeback developed recurrent ear and skin problems. She claimed a diet of fresh meat transformed the dog’s health.
The couple used the proceeds from the sale of their house to set up their first manufacturing operation in 2018. Since then, Naturaw has doubled its turnover every two years and moved to larger premises three times to keep up with demand.
It now offers more than 20 recipes, with all production, packing and distribution carried out from the Wetherby premises.
The £660m Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II is operated by the British Business Bank and provides loans from £25k to £2m and equity investment up to £5m to help a range of SMEs across the North.
“Naturaw is a purpose-led business that has quickly built a following amongst pet owners and become a leader in its field,” added Gary Whitaker of Mercia Debt.
“Access to funding is vital for fast-growing firms like these as they are constantly having to invest in bigger premises, new equipment and staff and they need more working capital.”
Lizzy Upton, senior manager at the British Business Bank, said: “Naturaw is a brilliant example of a Yorkshire business using NPIF II funding to boost growth and unlock potential, supporting with increased team headcount and premises expansion.”
No comments yet