Fast-growing Merseyside brand marketing specialist Wild Thang is looking for up to 20,000 sq ft of extra warehouse space as it looks to expand and create new jobs. Tony McDonough reports
Merseyside brand marketing specialist Wild Thang will create new jobs in an expansion plan that will see it take up to 20,000 sq ft of warehouse space.
Bootle-based Wild Thang operates from a 20,000 sq ft headquarters in Bootle. It oversaw a £2m-plus upgrade of the premises during the pandemic. It saw demand fall during COVID-19 but has since come roaring back.
Founder and managing director Andrew Dwerryhouse told LBN had grown headcount by 25% to 46 over the past year. During 2022 he expected the business to grow by up to 25% and wants to create more jobs.
Wild Thang manufactures and supplies a full range of branded marketing materials. Its blue-chip clients include Vimto, SkyBet, McDonald’s, Princes Foods, LJMU and Paddy Power. It also does work for a number of Premier League clubs including Liverpool and Everton.
In May it completed the embroidery on the Liverpool FC shirts won by players in the Champions League final against Real Madrid. It also produced a range of Platinum Jubilee and Pride-branded products for its clients.
“Similar to many businesses we endured a tough period during the pandemic,” said Andrew. “However, since we emerged from COVID-19 we have seen a big rebound in demand from clients. This means we are going to need extra storage and distribution space.
“We are looking for accommodation anywhere within the city region. Anything between 10,000 and 20,000 sq ft. We may also consider purchasing land to build on ourselves and we’ll consider a freehold or a long lease.”
Wild Thang’s growth is not just in the UK. In March the firm set up an office warehousing and distribution base in the Republic of Ireland. This follows the growth of its clients base overseas, particularly within the European Union.
It made sure it was well prepared for the UK’s exit from the EU. Judges in the Liverpool Chamber Innovation in Business Awards recognised those efforts last year. Wild Thang scooped the International Award and was held up as an example of best practice.
“Things are tough again in the economy right now,” added Andrew. “But we have navigated through choppy waters before. I am really excited about our prospects over the next 12 months and beyond.”