Kendal Nutricare
Kendal Nutricare has become a major exporter to China.
Its lead product is Kendamil, the only British-made infant formula. Unlike competitors, it incorporates full-cream natural nutrients. Food scientists say a cow’s-milk formula better mimics human breast milk and helps infants to absorb calcium and other essential fatty acids.
Cumbria Business Growth Hub, from the beginning, encouraged us to think global and were always available to help explain the benefits
Ross McMahon founded the business when he bought the Heinz baby food factory in Kendal in 2015, saving the jobs of 88 staff there.
He turned to Cumbria Business Growth Hub as he worked on a three-year growth plan. This identified export markets, China in particular, as key drivers.
He was able to secure a £365,000 Cumbria Growth Fund grant to gear up for expansion and begin Kendal Nutricare’s export journey.
Through the Growth Hub, he was referred to the Department for International Trade whose advisers provide tailored information about overseas markets.
Ross said: “Cumbria Business Growth Hub, from the beginning, encouraged us to think global and were always available to help explain the benefits.”
In 2016, the business signed a £6m deal to sell to China. Kendamil is stocked in more than 8,000 mother and baby stores there, making Kendal Nutricare one of Britain’s most successful exporters to China.
It has since entered markets in Africa, South East Asia and the Middle East.
A new Kendamil Organic formula has recently been launched and, with a kosher Kendamil Mehadrin on sale in specialist Jewish grocery stores in the US and Canada, Kendal Nutricare’s export strategy remains on target.
© Cumbria Chamber of Commerce