Growing chemical group ready to fight superbugs

Apr 10 2008 by Chris Knox, The Journal

AN agricultural chemicals company is ready to join the fight against MRSA after expanding into new markets and believes it can double turnover in five years.

Hartlepool group Exwold Technology has secured a £200,000 investment from Gateshead’s NEL Fund Managers, which it will use to kick-start its work with Crack Processing, which it bought in 2006.

The deal, which saw Crack Processing move to Hartlepool from Surrey, has allowed Exwold to move into different areas, including production of disinfectants and cleaning gels for hospitals and GP surgeries in the UK.

Exwold hopes the expansion, which also involves producing chemical coatings for cars and other metal products, will increase turnover from £4m to £8m by 2013.

More than 70% of Exwold’s current output is for agriculture, where it provides powder granules for pesticides and other crop protection chemicals.

Business development and finance director James Robson said: “The merger with Crack Processing was crucial to ensuring we can stay ahead in the marketplace.” The expansion plans involve taking its 70-strong workforce over the 100 mark as well as building a third factory in Hartlepool in addition to its current facilities in the area and a smaller site in nearby Billingham.

Simon Johnson, senior investment executive with Evolve Finance, the mezzanine and debt division of NEL, said: “Exwold Technology has continued to grow because James and his team build flexibility into their growth plans, consistently taking advantage of opportunities to expand their customer base as and when they arise.”