IN less than two years since it was formed a Selby business has earned its place as one of the UK’s fastest growing independent wood pellet suppliers.

Y Pellets now delivers bulk-blown pellets to homes and businesses across the country including hotel venues, residential care homes, manufacturers, agricultural producers, local authorities and public sector organisations.

Directors are hoping the growth of the business, which now employs a team of seven, will impress judges in the New Business of the Year category.

Formed in Q4 2016 and established in 2017, the Brackenholme Business Park-based company is part of a larger international organisation which operates an advanced European wood processing and pellet manufacturing plant in Austria and transports sustainably-sourced wood pellets direct to its dedicated 5,000 tonnes storage facility at the Port of Goole.

As part of ambitious and long-term growth plans, the company, which is a member of the Renewable Energy Association, is currently constructing a major new, advanced manufacturing wood refinery on 5.9 acres of development land at Goole.

The state-of-the-art plant, which is the first of its kind in the UK and only the second of its kind to be built in the world due to new technologies and patented processes, will revolutionise supply to the UK’s biomass energy market and provide a boost to the region’s economy with £10 million being invested over the next year alone.

The multi-million pound plant is anticipated to become one of the largest, private sector, renewable energy investment projects in the UK over the forthcoming months and will see Y Pellets significantly strengthening its brand by becoming a key player within the industry.

Managing director Neil Holland, who is also an active, elected member of the UK Pellet Council, said “Further investments are in the pipeline for 2018 and beyond which will significantly benefit the local community, its businesses, supply chain networks and the wider, regional and Northern Powerhouse economies.

“The company has a real commitment to the area and the people it serves, and a key consideration during the planning process of the new refinery was to use as many local companies, experienced enough to deliver, at key stages of the project.

“As a recently-established company, Y Pellets has, from the start, set out a clear strategic vision in terms of business development, sales growth, market position, employment opportunities and customer service in order to create strong USP’s and differentiate it from other, well known brands and suppliers.”