News: Pointer Pet Products invest in Rotherham production line

Pointer Pet Products has invested in a new £100,000 baking line at their Rotherham factory to produce a unique range of healthy treat biscuits for dogs.

The Eastwood company, which was rescued from administration last year, has secured invoice finance backing from Yorkshire Bank's South Yorkshire Financial Solutions Centre (FSC) as part of its Investing for Growth initiative.

Now Pointer Pet Products believes that the new product range, aimed at domestic and overseas markets, will increase sales at the business by ten per cent in the next 12 months.

A seven-strong team of private investors with experience in the pet and fast-moving consumer goods trade in the UK, Europe and North America brought the 52 year old company out of administration, saving over 40 jobs.

Under the leadership of managing director, Nick Whitley, who joined in June from the $800m turnover KIK Custom Products, Toronto, Canada, Pointer Pet Products has drawn up a development plan spearheaded by innovative new products. The new range is the first of a series of new products.

Nick Whitley said: "Since acquiring the assets, we've secured 42 jobs and are now well on course to grow the business through innovative product and packaging development.

"Although some details are commercially sensitive, the new developments are in areas covering the key product trends including functionality, natural and organic ingredients, weight management and food allergies.

"Yorkshire Bank South Yorkshire FSC has been hugely supportive in providing invoice finance which has enabled us to retain jobs and invest in people, systems and infrastructure which will continue as sales grow."

The company has also invested in new IT systems for finance and manufacturing and appointed a new operations manager and an export sales manager.

Richard Crossfield, Yorkshire Bank South Yorkshire FSC invoice finance partner said: "It is great to see a well-known South Yorkshire manufacturer gain a new lease of life through this private investor team and a dynamic and experienced management.

"Yorkshire Bank has a £100m invoice finance fund available and we're committed to ensuring that it is taken up by businesses which can create new jobs and help drive the economic recovery forward."

Pointer Pet Products website
Yorkshire Bank website

Images: Yorkshire Bank