MANFLU firm launches new product amid growth push

AN ambitious consumer healthcare business is advancing on a number of fronts, with a new product, office and a key hire.

Health and Wellbeing Brands, a small business backed by The North West Fund for Venture Capital, has moved to Newton-le-Willows and launched a product called Mumkind aimed at expectant mothers.

Having already established its MANFLU range of products, it has secured distribution deals for Mumkind with Sainsbury’s, Ocado, Amazon and independent pharmacies.  The firm has strengthened its operation with the move to Centrix House in Crow Lane East, Newton-le-Willows and  also with the appointment of Ursula Hirschberg as operations manager.

Hirschberg has over 20 years’ experience in procurement and operations, and previously worked for a company specialising in gluten-free foods. Her appointment, will allow the company to focus on new opportunities and bringing further new products to market.

The growth has been enabled by the final round of a £500,000 phased investment from The North West Fund for Venture Capital which is managed by Enterprise Ventures.

Founder Jonathan Evans, 42, said: “Mumkind is a new concept aimed at mums-to-be and busy new mums whose needs are not being met by current offerings. It will allow us to broaden our target market.

“We continue to explore new opportunities and see plenty of scope to achieve our growth targets and move into the premier league of healthcare companies.”

Will Clark of Enterprise Ventures, which manages The North West Fund for Venture Capital, said: “MANFLU is well on the way become a nationally recognised brand and we expect that Mumkind will enjoy the same success. We are pleased that we have been able to support the business at each stage of its growth.

“With £22.8m invested and £8m raised in additional funding, The North West Fund for Venture Capital is clearly playing an important role in the region’s economic revival.”