NPIF funding helps sports nutrition business target £100m turnover by 2026
A Trafford Park sports nutrition business is plotting expansion after receiving a £750,000 investment from NPIF-FW Capital Debt Finance, managed by FW Capital, part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF).
KBF Enterprises says the loan will further boost its growth in the UK and internationally by providing access to working capital to expand its factory, increase new stock lines and, ultimately, help to create jobs.
The company was established in 2008 by managing director Kieran Fisher from his bedroom. Today KBF Enterprises operates from premises at Trafford Park and is a £24m-turnover business, employing more than 80 staff. The company owns and operates seven innovative and unique sports nutrition brands which are available in six continents and more than 25 countries. These are Warrior, Warrior Princess, Bodybuilding Warehouse, Sports Fuel, TANKED, The Bulk Protein Company and Protein Café.
KBF Enterprises has achieved 50% annual growth for each of the past four years in a row. It has established a successful Business to Business as well as additional retail Business to Consumer channels that ship 37,000 orders per month to 300,000 registered retail customers, as well as supplying major UK and international retailers, like ASDA.
Kieran Fisher said the business is on track to achieve its target of £100m in annual sales by 2026. He added: “Someone now eats a Warrior protein bar every three seconds in the UK – and FW Capital’s support will enable us to further scale up our manufacturing facilities, enabling us to make 54 million bars annually in-house.”
The deal was facilitated by FW Capital investment executive, Adam Husband, following an introduction from Ben Day at Cowgills.
Adam Husband said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to lend £750,000 to a high growth and extremely profitable North West business. I have been impressed by Kieran’s entrepreneurial approach, drive and ambition which has resulted in great success.
“This investment will help the business significantly increase production capacity, thus fulfilling a key purpose of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund – to boost SME growth in the North.”
Sean Hutchinson, at the British Business Bank, said: “The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund is unlocking the North’s growth potential by supporting growing businesses like KBF Enterprises with significant investment. Access to finance is a vital tool for regional businesses to fulfil their growth potential and create new, local job opportunities.”
FW Capital provides loans of £100,000 to £750,000 to businesses based in the NPIF region with a focus on the North West, Cumbria and Tees Valley.
