Merseyside brand marketing specialist Wild Thang has been chosen to take part in a Liverpool Chamber video to talk about how it coped with the challenges of Brexit. Tony McDonough reports
Brand marketing specialist Wild Thang has been chosen by Liverpool Chamber of Commerce for a showcase video to highlight the firm’s Brexit journey.
The video offers an insight into both the real challenges of Brexit for Bootle-based Wild Thang which has a number of clients within the EU. Similar to many firms, it has had to adapt quickly to the new environment created by the UK’s departure from the EU.
Wild Thang is a finalist for the International Award at the chamber’s upcoming Innovation in Business Awards. Managing director Andrew Dwerryhouse launched the business with just a £1,500 Prince’s Trust grant a quarter of a century ago.
It has grown over the years and its 33-strong team supplies branded marketing materials to blue chip clients such as Sky Bet, Paddy Power, Wembley Stadium and Liverpool and Everton football clubs.
In 2019 it embarked on a £2m transformation of its headquarters in Derby Road, close to the River Mersey. However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a severe delay, pushing the delivery back to this year. Added to that the firm also had to deal with the complications caused by Brexit.
Andrew was interviewed for the showcase, to represent the city region’s manufacturing sector. He said: “Describing how we have navigated through what can only be described as the perfect storm through the Brexit challenges to not only survive but adapt and thrive, we hope that this can inspire other companies to do the same.
“It was without doubt one of the most challenging moments in the company’s 25-year history, yet we have never been more excited about the future with plans to double our turnover and increase our staffing levels by 20-30% over the next three years.
“It has been a roller coaster ride of a journey over the last four years but we were proud that our Brexit journey was featured by the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce. We appreciate being chosen and we genuinely hope it has a positive impact on helping other businesses navigate it, but also for the government policy makers.”
The video also showcases the new development that is nearing very final completion before its official launch. Andrew added: “This has been delayed many times due to the impact of the COVID pandemic which obviously has brought a huge amount of disruption and uncertainty.
“We really have to laugh when we look back or we would cry to have had three huge challenges for the price of one. We now believe we have passed through the eye of the storm.”