Jobs created as Derby manufacturer lands university grant

Nutritional supplement manufacturer Nutrivitality is set to multiply its production capacity 10-fold and create new jobs after securing grant funding from the University of Derby’s Invest to Grow programme.

The Derby firm has invested the grant in new equipment capable of isolating and preparing vitamins to ensure maximum absorption by the person taking them.

Almost £67,000 of the £150,000 project cost was met by the University of Derby’s Invest to Grow programme, which encourages innovation from local companies.

It will lead to the creation of five new jobs over the next two years. The firm is already on the lookout for the first two new recruits – a salesperson, and a technician with specialist expertise to help with the operation of the machinery and the development of new products.

Nutrivitality, which launched in December 2016, has developed a liquid vitamin preparation which increases the bioavailability of the nutrients it contains, enabling absorption of over 80%. Other vitamin products on the market typically deliver only 10% absorption or less.

David Campbell, director, said: “Nutrivitality is still a young company, but we believe the technology we have developed is transformative, and has the potential to disrupt the oral supplements market, which means there is huge growth potential for our existing and new products.

“Most people we talk to don’t realise that the vitamins in the supplements they take get destroyed in the stomach, so don’t actually get into the body. We want to educate people that this doesn’t have to be the case.

“This funding will allow us to further develop the business and give us the capacity and capability to do more in optimising the delivery of our vitamins, and creating unique formulas that aren’t possible through traditional methods.

“The difference in the effect our technology is delivering in terms of enhancing the lives of our customers is evident from reviews we’ve been receiving, and levels of repeat business.

“We continue to innovate, and are now looking to expand our network into Europe and beyond.”

Mark Wheddon, head of strategic programmes at the University, added: “We are proud to support this project through the Invest to Grow Fund. Nutrivitality is an innovative company and this funding has supported its growth in the region. We hope to continue to support the business with further opportunities in the future.”