Equestrian business gallops to further growth with £1.35m investment

A SUPPLIER of equestrian riding hats, body protectors, and sportswear and outdoor fashions has invested £1.35m in the relocation and customisation of the new premises as part of its expansion.

Finest Brands has moved to premises in Hunslet, Leeds, with the help of a £90,000 grant from the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
The grant support will help keep the company retain existing jobs and create additional employment opportunities.

Finest Brands International is the exclusive supplier of the ‘Champion’ range of British-made high performance riding hats and body protectors for the horse riding, show jumping and horse racing markets.

Clients of the £8m- turnover business include three-time Olympic medallist Pippa Funnell and other prolific riders such as champion jockey Ruby Walsh, who has ridden more than 2000 winners.

Managing director Sarah-Jane Fedarb said: “Finest Brands has been based at our previous premises in Leeds since the company was set up in 1990. However, the site had become far too small and we needed to lease additional warehouse facilities to cope with the growth of the business and increasing diversity of our product range. As we were approaching the end of our lease, it made sense to consolidate operations in a single location to improve customer service and ensure we afforded ourselves room to grow the business in future.”

Since moving to its new premises, which comprise 50,000 sq ft of warehouse space and 8,000 sq ft of offices, the company has strengthened its workforce with a number of new appointments.

Finest Brands International invested the £1.35m in the relocation and customisation of the new premises, funded through a commercial mortgage, director’s loans and grant funding from the LEP.

Ms Fedarb said: “We had the option to move the business to Cardiff where our Champion products are manufactured and the company already owns land and premises. However, we were desperate to retain our long standing and loyal team, and build our workforce as the business grows. The grant support has been critical in helping us keep the business and jobs here in Leeds.”
 
The new premises are the former operations base for packaging and logistics company Samuel Grant which earlier this year moved to a new, purpose-built warehouse and head office facility in the Leeds City Region Enterprise Zone after 50 years at the site in Hunslet.

Eric Hawthorn, managing director of Radio Design and chair of the LEP’s Business Innovation and Growth panel, said: “This is another fantastic example of how the LEP is supporting a local business to invest in premises that are fit for purpose, so existing jobs are retained and create new employment and business opportunities. The LEP can support businesses based in the region who want to grow or upskill their staff. All you need to do is pick up the phone and speak to one of our business support team who can talk through the options available.”