The Real Petfood Company is set to create new jobs in a major £6million expansion following the purchase of the second manufacturing unit.
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
The business, which specialises in manufacturing premium pet food snacks and treats under the Wagg and Harringtons brands, plans to relocate from its existing manufacturing base in Flint where it employs 30 people.
The parent company, Inspired Pet Nutrition Ltd, which is headquartered in North Yorkshire, is the UK’s largest independent producer of dry pet food. It is investing some £6 million in acquiring, re-furbishing and re-equipping the 8-acre 130,000 sq ft site.
Economy Cabinet Secretary Ken Skates said:
“The decision by the Welsh Government to buy the site and bring it back into employment use is supporting business growth, creating jobs and boosting the local economy.
“I am delighted The Real Petfood Company can now expand, create new jobs and increase capacity to meet the growing national and international demand for its products. The company’s major investment in Bodelwyddan is a strong mark of confidence in manufacturing in Wales and it’s great news that it aims to increase its workforce in the near future, with potential for further expansion.”
Graham Wheeler, managing director of the Real Petfood Co said:
“The Real Petfood Company was established in North Wales 17 years ago and I am really pleased that we are able to continue growing and evolving in the same area. This is a very significant investment in the business which will boost our production capacity by some 600%.”
The new equipment is being installed in August and expected to be commissioned in late 2016 which will be followed by the transfer and installation of the existing packing and production equipment. All the current employees at Flint are expected to move to the new location.
The Hotpoint site had been empty for eight years when the Welsh Government acquired the site in 2014 site to bring it back into employment use.
Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of Denbighshire County Council said:
“The Council has worked closely with the Welsh Government, their letting agents and the company itself to secure the company’s new presence in Denbighshire. This development will make a valuable contribution to developing the economy of Denbighshire”.
Stephen Wade, director of Legatt Owen, the agents acting on behalf of the Welsh Government, said:
“I would like to congratulate the Council for the pro-active way in which they have engaged with the purchaser and responded to their initial request for detailed information in relation to the building and surrounding areas."