A food manufacturing specialist who bought over a well-established dog food business is confident of securing £8 million of sales over the next three years after significantly investing in the company.
Craig Wallace acquired the rights to the Wilson’s Pet Food name last year and since then has invested in two processing factories in Perthshire as well as £500,000 in equipment.
The company, which sells to retailers including Pets at Home, and wholesalers, aims to increase its customer base as well as expand by selling online.
The business was in the process of dissolution when Mr Wallace took it over. He said: "We had listings but prices hadn't been changed for years and effectively it was operating at a loss."
Now, after support from Business Gateway, Wilson’s is launching a new range of products and is due to open the first purpose built cold pressed dog food manufacturing plant in the UK.
Above: Craig Wallace of Wilson's Pet Food and Bruce the puppy. Pictures by Julie Howden
Mr Wallace, who has worked in food manufacturing for over 10 years, said: “Our goals are to build on the heritage of the company by continuing to make food for working dogs and to expand into other areas such as cold pressed food manufacturing which we believe is the future of dog food.
"We will be launching our cold pressed range next month and although it’s more complex to make, the quality is far better as well as being healthier."
The firm also got an innovation grant from Scottish Enterprise which allowed it to work with a company in Norway to create a cold press recipe.
The factories in Blairgowrie and Perth will see 20 jobs created over the next three years as the company continues to make the popular muesli-type range of complete foods as well as offering customers a more extensive range of products.
John McQueston, of Business Gateway, said: “Wilson’s was once very dominant in the dog food market and it’s fantastic that Craig was able to step in and secure the future of a longstanding local business."
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