Mersey Raw Pet Food Firm Expands Into 29,000 Sq Ft Factory As Growth Continues

A fast-growing Bootle business has completed the biggest expansion in its history after moving into a 29,000 sq ft manufacturing facility, increasing its production footprint and creating capacity for future growth.

Mersey Raw, founded in 2022 by local entrepreneur Ben McIntyre, has relocated to the former Lockwoods factory on Bridle Way, Bootle, replacing its previous 2,300 sq ft production unit.

The company has invested more than £100,000 into transforming the site, which was historically a meat-production site for many years, funding extensive repairs, facility upgrades, new equipment and redevelopment works throughout the building.

The investment has included overhauling core infrastructure, bringing a previously unused production area back into operation, redeveloping the on-site shop, upgrading office and communal facilities and creating a high-output fulfilment area to support future growth.

Founded with a mission to provide dogs with natural, high-quality nutrition, Mersey Raw has grown rapidly over the past four years and now supplies more than 120 independent pet retailers across the UK alongside its growing direct-to-consumer customer base.

The business has recorded revenue growth of 25 per cent over the past year despite significant investment and resources being dedicated to securing and preparing the new facility for operation.

The expansion has already delivered a significant increase in production capacity. Before relocating, Mersey Raw produced an average of around 1.2 tonnes of product per day, equivalent to approximately 2,400 meals. The business now averages around 2.5 tonnes per day, or roughly 5,000 meals, with production continuing to increase week on week.

The company has also recently recorded its highest-ever production day, producing more than three tonnes of product in a single day – equivalent to over 6,000 meals.

Since moving into the new facility, Mersey Raw has expanded its team and introduced four new roles focused on growth, marketing and brand awareness.

The site also provides substantial room for future expansion, including dedicated space for product development, new product launches and entry into new markets. The facility includes an industrial bakery, creating opportunities to broaden the company’s offering in the years ahead.

Ben McIntyre, founder and CEO of Mersey Raw, said: “Taking on a facility of this size is a huge milestone for the business and a reflection of how far we’ve come in a relatively short space of time.

“When we started Mersey Raw, we were operating on a much smaller scale with a simple goal of producing the best possible food for dogs. Demand has continued to grow year after year, and we reached the point where we needed a facility capable of supporting our ambitions for the future.

“We’ve invested heavily in the site because we believe in what we’re building and in the opportunities this move creates for the business.

“The increase in capacity has been immediate. We’ve gone from producing around 2,400 meals a day to approximately 5,000 meals a day on average, and we’ve already had days where we’ve produced more than 6,000 meals.

“But for us, this move is about much more than output. It’s about creating the foundations for the next phase of growth, developing new products, entering new markets and continuing to grow the business here in Bootle.

“We’ve made a long-term commitment to this site and we’re excited about what the future holds.”

Mersey Raw has approximately 40 years remaining on its lease, underlining the company’s long-term commitment to the area and confidence in its future growth plans.