The Yorkshire-based pet food manufacturer has expanded its team from 18 to 35 in the past 18 months, while it also recently added a second 15,000 square foot unit at the Thorp Arch Estate in Wetherby.
The NPIF II funding will allow Naturaw to complete a fit-out of its facility and step up production of its “high-welfare” meat pet food.
“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,” said Naturaw director Jess Warneken.
“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. Together with the funding from Mercia and NPIF II, we now have both the space and the finance we need to continue growing the business.”
Founded in 2014, the registered B Corp, supplies more than 15,000 customers consisting largely of pet owners, as well as independent pet shops and grooming parlours.
It now offers over 20 recipes, with all production, packing and distribution carried out from the Wetherby premises.
Warneken runs the business alongside her partner Tom Johnson and Chris Broadbent, an experienced company director.
Purpose-led business
The £660m NPIF II covers the entire North of England and provides loans from £25k to £2m and equity investment up to £5m to help a range of small and medium sized businesses to start up, scale up or stay ahead.
Mercia Debt is a backer of NPIF II, with investment manager Gary Whitaker describing access to funding as “vital” for SMEs such as Naturaw.
Whitaker added: “Naturaw is a purpose-led business that has quickly built a following amongst pet owners and become a leader in its field. 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. We are pleased to be able to support the Naturaw team as they take the business to the next stage of its development.”
Meanwhile, British Business Bank senior manager Lizzy Upton commented: “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. It’s this growth that helps to push the region forward and build a more resilient local economy.”
