A WHOLEFOODS supplier on the outskirts of York is continuing to recruit alongside plans for another production line following more than 30 years of growth.

Country Products, based in Tockwith, has seen turnover increase by 14 per cent, and staff numbers grow by five after completing an invoice finance deal.

The business is now preparing to launch an additional production line later this year, alongside a new website, and further recruitment investment.

Trading for 32 years, Country Products was founded by managing director Mark Leather, who recognised a gap in the market for health snacks after returning to the UK from living overseas.

The business now purchases imports including nuts and dried fruits in bulk and creates and packs snack mixes to be sold by retailers.

It predominantly supplies independent traders but its customer base includes delicatessens, supermarkets, farm shops, student unions, workplace vending machines, petrol stations and cinemas.

The invoice financing was arranged by Simon Kitchingman, business development manager, and Sarah Clark, relationship manager, both based at Yorkshire Bank’s Business and Private Banking Centre in Harrogate.

Since starting the business, Mr Leather has moved to larger premises five times and has installed four automated production lines.

After securing the invoice financing, Country Products’ turnover has increased by 14 percent, with Mr Leather already recruited three new team members in 2015 and hiring five overall since the deal began.

According to Mr Leather, the invoice financing has been instrumental in accelerating the business’ growth over the last year.

He said: "I’m fortunate in that during the 32 years Country Products has been up and running, 31 of those have seen growth but it has always been very steady.

"The invoice financing has taken a lot of worry out of the logistics and supply chain side of the business. I no longer have to worry about outstanding invoices and inventory build-up, my business and turnover are now growing a lot more rapidly and far more organically.”

Rick Warburton, head of Yorkshire Bank’s Business and Private Banking Centre in York, added: "Country Products is a prime example of an organisation freeing itself up from financial and operational constraints so that it can operate at optimum capacity and unleash its full potential."