Pets Choice set for major expansion with new 11,148m2 manufacturing site

31-May-2022 - Last updated on 31-May-2022 at 14:06 GMT

Pets Choice is set for expansion

Pet food manufacturer Pets Choice, which produces brands such as Webbox and Bob Martin, is to open a new 11,148m2 site to cater for the increasing demand for pet food products.

The site on Lower Philips Road on the Whitebirk Industrial Estate in Blackburn will see the creation of a warehouse building with three-storey offices. The company is also changing the use of the existing packing unit it has on the site to an ancillary retail building. The new development will create 60 jobs.

The company revealed that it has seen “significant growth” of its own brands, increased private label manufacturing and a number of acquisitions that has brought its portfolio of brands to 14.

The proposed expansion follows the recent acquisition of The Hatchwell Company, also based in Blackburn, which manufacturers treats and hygiene products for dogs, cats and small animals.

Expansion

Peter Birch, head of operations at Pets Choice, said: “We’re delighted to have been granted the planning permission to expand our Blackburn site, this is an exciting period of growth for Pets Choice as we look to expand our facilities.”

Tony Raeburn, ceo of Pets Choice, said that it was only two years ago that it opened its 65,000 sq. ft. production facilities in Blackburn.

“This expansion will allow for us to expand our manufacturing capabilities in the UK and the opportunity to create more jobs in Blackburn,” said Raeburn.

“We have a number of top selling pet products in the UK and need to expand our facilities in order to increase manufacturing capacity.”

Sustainable

The company said the new extended site would support its ambition to be more sustainable, reducing transport of products and subsequently reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Pets Choice produces a range of brands offers for pets and wild animals under its brands; Webbox, Bob Martin, TastyBone, Spike’s, Meatiful, WildThings, Davies and Vitakraf.

The growth in the pet food market has seen a number of manufacturers expand their production.

Last month Inspired Pet Nutrition, the company behind the Harringtons and Wagg pet food brands, revealed it was investing more than £6m at its plant at Kinmel in North Wales to respond to growing demand.

Own-label dry pet food manufacturerGA Pet Food Partners recently completed the construction of a new ingredients kitchen at its Plocks Farm, Bretherton production plant.