Superbugs killer launched by Welsh detergent manufacturer
By Effective Communication
A Welsh business that specialises in the manufacture of laundry detergents has secured the investment to fund a state-of-the-art filling line to package its revolutionary retail laundry liquids, which kill superbugs.
Eastern Valley Chemicals has been manufacturing laundry detergents for the commercial on-premises laundry sector, including nursing care homes and hospital laundries, for the last 25 years.
The company – based on the Gilchrist Thomas Industrial Estate in Blaenavon – is now aiming to break into the potentially lucrative retail market with the development of its Halo and Halo ProActive Sports Wash laundry liquids.
Thanks to Welsh Assembly Government support, the company has now taken delivery of a £120,000 automated filling and labelling line, which accommodates the smaller size retail packaging demanded by shops and supermarkets.
The £42,800 WAG funding package – secured with the aid of Newport-based accountancy specialists Kilsby & Williams – has already seen Halo introduced to the high street, with both products on the shelves of Wilkinson stores throughout the UK.
The products have also been featured on top TV show Dragons’ Den, with business entrepreneur James Caan so keen on Halo that he made an offer to invest – only for Eastern Valley Chemicals’ retail partner, Paragon PE Ltd, to turn it down because it would have meant giving up too much equity in what they consider is a potentially very valuable business.
Eastern Valley Chemicals’ Managing Director Anthony Goss, whose company employs 23, said: “Both of our Halo liquid laundry detergents are scientifically proven to kill superbugs like MRSA, C. difficile and the H1N1 flu virus, while the Sports Wash kills the bacteria and fungi that cause unpleasant odours in sports clothing and training shoes.
“These are the only laundry liquids in the world to contain Hygienilac, which kills superbugs, and we are confident that now we have this start-of-the-art filling line in operation, the retail market opportunities could be quite substantial.”
Commercial Director Paul Fairbrother said: “There was a huge amount of work involved in putting the business case forward for the grant application, for which we relied heavily on the expertise of Kilsby & Williams as, quite naturally, the Welsh Assembly Government needed comprehensive financial projections from us and to be confident that there was a genuine need for support.”
Simon Tee, Partner at Newport-based Kilsby & Williams, who co-ordinated the raising of the finance for the grant from WAG, said: “Eastern Valley Chemicals came to us with an exciting plan to expand their commercial operation into the domestic market, but needed help in securing the finance to fund the initiative.
“The last 12 months or so have not been an easy time for any business to expand – the raising of finance has obviously been challenging because of the shortage of lending by the banks. However, it was still possible to secure funding to enable Eastern Valley Chemicals to capture a new and lucrative revenue stream.
“There are a lot of businesses in South Wales that are finding it difficult to put their growth plans into action because of the current financial lending constraints. But they need to be aware that funds are still available from alternative sources to help them to grow and expand.”
Founded in 1991, Kilsby & Williams is based at the Celtic Springs Business Park on the outskirts of Newport.
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