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Funding backs new contract win for Kennelbuild

Press release 18 October 2024

Cheshire firm Kennelbuild is now on a growth trajectory after receiving an investment of capital from NPIF II – FW Capital Debt Finance, which is managed by FW Capital as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II).

Group of 5 people standing outside the Kennelbuild warehouse

Kennelbuild is a market leader in the design and construction of dog kennels and catteries in the UK and Ireland, where it has its own manufacturing facility. The firm works closely with government organisations, regional police forces, animal welfare charities and the luxury boarding kennel and cattery market.

Kennelbuild has built up a significant order book and pipeline having secured several multi-million-pound contracts with both public sector bodies and animal welfare charities. It is accelerating its growth plans thanks to significant funding from FW Capital and NPIF II. The funding will support the delivery of these projects through key hires in the design, manufacturing and construction departments of the business. It will also assist with improving architectural design, manufacturing and building for dog kennels and catteries.

Mike Upton, founder of Kennelbuild and widely regarded as the UK’s premier industry thought leader has been leading the way in innovative design and manufacturing for the dog kennelling and cattery industry. Mike introduced the Kennelbuild™ system to the market in 1998.

Working exclusively with large name clients such as the RSPCA, the MoD, Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and regional police forces, Kennelbuild’s systems are specifically designed to withstand the rigours of heavy use in commercial settings as well as containing the associated difficulties with dangerous dogs and military working dogs. As an approved Constructionline Gold contractor with relevant security clearances, Kennelbuild has provided its services as a Lead Designer, Subcontractor and Tier 1 contractor for the last 12-years.

We’ve reached a significant stage in the business as we move to scale up and broaden our range of services. A combination of a ‘dog boom’ during Covid, changes to UK law regarding dangerous dogs and increased geopolitical tensions has seen unprecedented demand for state-of-the-art animal welfare premises. Having quickly hit capacity in our factory, we added a new 500m2 office that has freed up space to make new additions to our design and project management team, as well as increasing our manufacturing capacity. Fergus Prutton Director at Kennelbuild
From my very first discussion with the management team I knew that our offering was a perfect fit for Kennelbuild. This investment demonstrates how debt funding can make a really tangible difference to the growth of a business. Kennelbuild is a leading provider of dog kennels in the UK who design and build for some impressive customers including the aforementioned police forces, MoD, DIO and RSPCA. The growth potential is huge and they have already used our investment to support senior hires and a significant new contract win, creating further jobs and growth. Steve Molyneux Investment Executive at FW Capital
Powerhouse Investment Fund II can support through its flexible financing options. It’s a demonstration of a fast-growing Northern business that is using funding to achieve its goals and to continue to service an important market at the highest standard. We look forward to seeing the team continue its impressive growth trajectory, generating more jobs and opportunities in the North West. Sue Barnard Senior Manager at British Business Bank

The £660m Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II) covers the entire North of England and provides loans from £25k to £2m and equity investment up to £5m to help a range of small and medium sized businesses to start up, scale up or stay ahead.

The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II aims to build on the success of the initial fund, with the purpose of driving sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the North of England.

The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II will increase the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for the North’s smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and help to break down barriers in access to finance. FW Capital will provide debt finance options from £100,000 to £2million to businesses based in the North West of England.

Further Information

If you are a journalist and have a media enquiry, please contact mediaenquiries@british-business-bank.co.uk.

Notes to editors

About FW Capital

FW Capital is a fund management company currently managing UK-based funds of £390.8m

For further information visit FW Capital.

About the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II

NPIF II is a £660 million investment fund to support the growth of small and medium-sized businesses across the North of England launched in March 2024.

The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II is one of a series of new Nations and Regions Investment Funds launched by the British Business Bank delivering a £1.6 billion commitment of new funding to drive sustainable economic growth.

The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II offers a range of commercial finance options with loans from £25,000 to £2 million and equity investment up to £5 million. The fund covers the entire North of England including Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, Lancashire, Yorkshire & the Humber, Cheshire & Warrington, Cumbria, County Durham, Tyne & Wear, and Northumberland.

It aims to tackle an identified funding gap between the North and South of England and increase the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for smaller businesses.

FW Capital manages the £75 million NPIF II – FW Capital Debt Finance fund, part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II on behalf of the British Business Bank. Finance of £100,000 to £2 million is available to businesses in the North of England with a focus on Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside.

FW Capital is part of the DBW Group one of the UK’s largest SME investors. The DBW Group manages funds of in excess of £1.9 billion For further information on the Group visit https://developmentbank.wales

Applications for funding are made directly to the relevant fund managers who can be contacted via the NPIF II webpages www.northernpowerhouseinvestmentfund.co.uk.

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