A fast-growing producer of high-quality raw dog food has expanded into a major new headquarters and production kitchen at Thorp Arch Estate near Wetherby, as part of a six-figure investment that will create new jobs, after outgrowing its previous premises twice in six years.

Naturaw has signed a 10-year lease on the 17,500 sq ft production and distribution centre, which includes 2,000 sq ft of state of the art office space, and was advised on the relocation and lease by property consultancy, Gent Visick.

Founded in 2015 by Jess Warneken and Tom Johnson, Naturaw started life in Tockwith at Marston Moor Business Park, before expanding to 6,000 sq ft premises at Hessay Industrial Estate near York two years later. The company has doubled in size in each of the last two years and now employs a 15-strong team with plans to recruit at least three new people this year.

Naturaw’s fresh, natural and raw dog foods and treats all use high welfare meats without any processed or filler ingredients. All products are packed by hand in biodegradable packaging and are now sold by more than 100 retailers throughout the UK, as well as being supplied directly to thousands of dog owners through the company’s website.

As part of the relocation to Thorp Arch Estate, the company secured a grant from the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership’s (LEP) European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to invest in its new industrial scale kitchen, as well as creating new jobs.

Chris Broadbent, director from Naturaw, said: “Dogs thrive when they eat fresh, natural, raw food and our products, that all use high-quality ingredients in biodegradable packaging, without any plastic, have become hugely popular with both dogs and their owners.

“This move will give us a fantastic new base as we embark on our next phase of expansion. Our new state of the art production kitchen will enable us to increase production, whilst crucially maintaining the high level of quality that has been key to our success. It also means we can quadruple our storage capacity and further enhance the fast delivery times that our customers enjoy, which all combines to make it a really exciting time for Naturaw.”

Paul Mack, director at Gent Visick, who acted for Naturaw, commented: “Naturaw’s organic and rapid growth since its inception has been due to the company identifying and capitalising on a niche area in the pet food market. The company has experienced tremendous success to date, so it has been a genuine privilege to guide the team through this expansion.

“The move to new and larger premises is an ambitious step forward, which will provide the ideal platform for the company to continue to go from strength to strength.”

Tim Munns, director of Wharfedale Property Management, which manages Thorp Arch Estate, added: “Naturaw is quickly becoming a market leader in the raw dog food market and is a successful and ambitious Yorkshire based business, which makes them an ideal addition to Thorpe Arch Estate. Following this latest deal, we now have very few available units to let, and are therefore developing new schemes for both new and refurbished units which are already generating high levels of interest in 2021.”

Wansbroughs Solicitors in Wiltshire provided legal advice to Naturaw and Tom Asher, of Savills, acted for Wharfedale Property Management.

The Thorp Arch Estate is home to over 170 businesses and offers more than 2million sq ft of business space set in a spacious parkland setting. The estate offers a wide range of industrial premises comprising warehouses, factories and small business units available to rent on flexible and fixed term leases.