Following its ‘best ever’ year, Merseyside brand marketing specialist Wild Thang steps up its US expansion drive and celebrates an award win and three new nominations. Tony McDonough reports 

Bootle brand marketing manufacturer Wild Thang is celebrating another awards win plus three new nominations as it steps up its bid to gain a foothold across the Atlantic.

In early July Wild Thang, which produces branded materials for a host of blue chip clients, scooped the Chief Executive’s Award at the City of Liverpool Business Awards (COLBA), organised by Downtown in Business.

Now the business, run by managing director and founder Andrew Dwerryhouse and his team, is celebrating after being shortlisted in three separate categories in the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce Innovation in Business Awards 2024.

Added to that, just seven months after LBN revealed Wild Thang had opened a new international base in New Jersey in the US, the operation is already starting to process a number of new orders Stateside.

In the Liverpool Chamber Awards, which will be held at St George’s Hall in October, Wild Thang is shortlisted for the Sustainable Business of the Year Award, the Innovation in Health & Wellbeing Award and Business of the Year (over 30 employees).

In November 2023, the company’s sustainability efforts were recognised when it won the Sustainable Business of the Year accolade at the Liverpool Chamber Innovation in Business Awards. It also won the International Business of the Year award.

Click here to vote in the Liverpool Chamber Awards

Andrew is particularly proud of this year’s Sustainable Business of the Year nomination. Just over a year ago Wild Thang launched its sustainability pledge.

Since unveiling its plans, it has planted 55,619 trees saved 1,348 tonnes of CO2. This is equivalent to the carbon emissions from 1,035 long-haul flights, saving 4,046 square metres of ice, or avoiding 3.3m miles driven by an average car.

In October 2023, Wild Thang installed 290 solar panels on the roof of its headquarters. They are already providing around 80% of its energy needs. And in May it submitted its application to become a B Corp certified company.

B Corp organisations have to commit to the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability.

“It’s wonderful that our team’s genuine commitment to sustainability has been recognised once again because of the significant progress we have made with our long term sustainability pledge,” said Andrew.

“We have been in business for 28 years and today we are a more sustainable business than we have ever been and we are making more donations and partnering with more events than ever before. We are sponsoring one of the awards in the Good Business Awards.

“Last year was the most financially successful year in our history. That says to me there is no conflict between being sustainable and striving to support our communities and being a successful and profitable business.”

Wild Thang had already established a base in the Republic of Ireland before launching its expansion in the US. Working in partnership with a New Jersey company called Cove, Wild Thang is already starting to see the orders roll in.

“These latest awards nominations from Liverpool Chamber will cap off another great year for Wild Thang and are a vindication of the ‘Wild Thang way’. They are a testament to our whole team’s relentless effort and hard work to deliver something truly world class.”