Feed manufacturer sows seeds for the future

ANIMAL feed manufacturer B. Tickle & Sons has secured a new £250,000 working capital facility from NatWest to support a seasonal increase in demand for its products.    

The family-owned business which is based in Speke, in Merseyside, manufactures animal feedstuffs such as pellets and coarse mixes used by cattle, sheep and dairy farmers. 

Demand for Tickle’s products has soared during the harsh winter months as many farms do not have enough grass available for animal feed. 

The peak period for the business lasts until the end of April and the NatWest funding ensures the company has sufficient working capital in place to meet the demand.   

Established in St Helens 150 years ago, B. Tickle & Sons now operates from a purpose built mill in Speke. 

The business is run by Adam Tickle, the fourth generation of the Tickle family to own and operate the company.

Matthew Tickle, Adam’s son, is joining the company full time in 2010 when he completes a degree in engineering at Durham University.

Tickle’s products are sold via merchants and wholesalers and are used on farms in Scotland, Wales, Northern England, the Midlands and Shropshire. 

The company has a turnover of £6m.   

Adam Tickle said: “It is important to ensure we have sufficient working capital reserves in place to cope with the continued demand for our products during these peak periods for the business. 

“The NatWest funding provides us with a flexible solution and will support our business needs.”   

NatWest provided the funding via the European Investment Bank ‘Loan for SMEs Scheme’, which enables the bank to offer a preferential price to qualifying customers who are seeking loan finance for an eligible purpose.

Relationship Manager Claire Morley, said: “B Tickle & Sons is a long standing local business which continues to perform well.

“The EIB funding is a good solution for the company’s financial needs as it enables them to secure access to working capital on preferential terms.”