Heightened health awareness leads to growth for Blackpool firm

Private Label Nutrition (PLN), a Blackpool-based manufacturer in health supplements and sports nutrition, has been working around the clock throughout lockdown to meet the needs of its customers.

Further to a £400,000 investment in new machinery and a move to an 8,500 sq ft premises on Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone last year, the company is growing fast, manufacturing pharmaceutical grade vitamins, minerals, supplements and powders.

Production has increased by 115%, the company has invested in two new production lines, increased domestic and international orders, and in the past four months has taken on 10 additional staff to meet the demand, with a further 10 more jobs expected in the next few months.

Founded in 2014 by directors James Wilson and Richard Richmond in a small start-up premises on the Fylde, the company moved to the Enterprise Zone just three years ago where the business has gone from strength to strength, specialising in bulk, white or private label manufactured products for many of Europe’s leading suppliers, exporting to more than 30 countries.

James Wilson said: “For us lockdown hasn’t slowed us down.

“Initially, we needed to reassess, follow the guidelines and make sure we had a safe working environment for all our staff, but as soon as we were able to reopen the shop floor safely, it has been full speed ahead.

“Since COVID-19 there has been an increase in demand for immunity supplements, especially Vitamin C, Vitamin D and Zinc.

“If the current rate of growth continues we will need to expand our premises further within the next 18-24 months and we are in initial talks with the council to see if this can be facilitated on the eastern Phase 1 development land.”

He added: “Being able to relocate within the Enterprise Zone and the savings made in business rates has been invaluable to us with minimal disruption to production and for our staff, and we would like our future growth to be in Blackpool.”

Cllr Mark Smith, cabinet member for business, enterprise and job creation, said: “It is great to hear about business success in Blackpool, especially in these challenging and uncertain economic times and I wish Private Label Nutrition every luck for the future.

“Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone is a great place to land your business because of the financial incentives and business support that is available through the team at Blackpool Council. The entrepreneurial spirit and innovation that we have locally continues to reinforce the message that Blackpool is the place for business.”