St Helens-based KapaK Foods has appetite for growth (From St Helens Star)

St Helens-based KapaK Foods has appetite for growth

8:00am Friday 8th February 2013 in News

A SPECIALIST contract manufacturer and packer to the food industry has secured a finance package worth £2.4 million, which will see the business move to new premises to aid plans for growth.

St Helens-based KapaK Foods Limited has used the funding to buy modern and much larger premises at the Abbotsfield Road industrial estate, which has been specially fitted out to increase efficiency and productivity.

KapaK Foods manufacture and pack a range of products from confectionery, breakfast cereals, baking mixes and ingredients for the yoghurt industry for world- class companies with major brands.

NatWest provided £1.8 million, with the balance made up from The North West Fund for Business Loans, managed by FW Capital, Merseyside Special Investment Fund (MSIF), along with the company’s own investment.

The company, formed by CEO Keith Brewood, has grown to a turnover of £14 million, with 190 permanent and agency staff.

It is expected a further 20 plus permanent staff will be taken on this year following the company’s move to its new site in February.

Keith said: “The business has grown rapidly, and we needed to move to larger premises.

“The funding has been used to buy and fit out the new facility, which provides opportunities for further build and expansion.

“By moving to more suitable premises we can continue to provide customer service excellence to our customers and enable us to take on new opportunities.”