Mersey brand marketing specialist Wild Thang is pushing for a return to profitability with a new range of branded protection merchandise including face masks and snoods. Tony McDonough reports

Specialist brand marketing firm Wild Thang is reporting a surge in orders for its new range of hygiene and protection merchandise to support businesses coming out of lockdown.

Bootle-based Wild Thang, which had just invested in a £2m expansion of its business, is itself seeing staff return to work following the coronavirus lockdown and is now looking to innovate as it targets a return to profitability.

Wild Thang produces a range of branded merchandise from its own facility at its now expanded headquarters. Clients have included Sky Bet, Paddy Power, Wembley Stadium, Liverpool and Everton football clubs. It currently employs more than 30 people and aims to grow its workforce by a further 25%.

Managing director and founder Andrew Dwerryhouse says, similar to many other businesses, the company is experiencing a “very tricky time” but added he was starting to gradually see an increase in orders.

He told LBN: “We are now starting to gain a little momentum as lockdown eases. We are now diversifying our products by offering a range of hygiene and protection merchandise to help minimise the spread of the virus.

“These include face masks and snoods which are proving popular with customers. All of the items can be personalised to a company or organisation’s brand specification.

“We know it’s been tough out there for every organisation and business, and we are no exception to that. And these are the times you need to look at different ways, and come up with innovative ideas, to ensure your business survives and grows.

“We think this range of branded merchandise ticks lots of boxes. It is innovative, useful, even essential. All of which can be fulfilled and distributed by Wild Thang so it goes direct to that colleague or customer and adheres to the social distancing rules.”

During the lockdown Wild Thang also sold almost 500 limited edition t-shirts designed to highlight the work of our NHS heroes during the coronavirus epidemic. Staff produced four t-shirt designs, each carrying a message of support and awareness for NHS staff.

Half the purchase price of all T-shirts bought went to good causes, and a number of t-shirts were sent to front line NHS workers. Andrew added: “We have been able to make donations and deliveries to Liverpool Women’s Hospital, Clatterbridge Cancer Hospital, The Liverpool Royal Hospital, Alder Hey Hospital and Aintree Hospital.

“I’m so proud of my team, here. They found the time, energy and creativity to make a real difference during what has been a difficult period for everyone. It has been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster.

“The support from the public for our efforts has been amazing. We have seen thousands of shares and views across all of our social media channels. People have shared pictures of themselves wearing the t-shirts and we have loved that more than anything else.”