UK—Pet food manufacturer Pets Choice looks to expand manufacturing capabilities in the UK and create more jobs with a huge new warehouse and retail scheme in Blackburn.
The site on Lower Philips Road on the Whitebirk Industrial Estate in Blackburn will see the erection of a single storey 120,000 square foot warehouse building with three-storey offices.
The company is also changing the use of the existing packaging building it has on the site to an auxiliary retail building. The new development will create 60 jobs.
Tony Raeburn, CEO of Pets Choice, said it was only two years ago that he opened his 65,000-square-foot production facility in Blackburn.
“We have a number of best-selling pet products in the UK and we need to expand our facilities to increase manufacturing capacity,” said Raeburn.
The company disclosed that it has seen “significant growth” of its own brands, increased private label manufacturing and a series of acquisitions that have brought its portfolio of brands to 14.
Pets Choice already have a major presence on Whitebirk Industrial Estate with the recent acquisition of The Hatchwell Company, also based in Blackburn, which makes treats and hygiene products for dogs, cats and small animals.
Peter Birch, chief operating officer of Pets Choice, said: “We are delighted that we have been granted planning permission to expand our Blackburn site, this is an exciting period of growth for Pets Choice as we look to expand our facility.”
The company said the new expanded site would support its ambition to be more sustainable, reduce product transport and subsequently reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Pets Choice has a worldwide customer base and an industry knowledge spanning more than 135 years, providing pets and wild animals globally with a variety of food.
The company supply partners in the grocery, independent, and pet speciality sectors, both in the UK and abroad, with products in a range of formats.
It produces a range of branded pet and wildlife offerings under its brands; Webbox, Bob Martin, TastyBone, Spike’s, Meatiful, WildThings, Davies, and Vitakraf.
Liked this article? Subscribe to Food Business Africa News, our regular email newsletters with the latest news insights from Africa and the World’s food and agro-industry. SUBSCRIBE HERE.
