A food manufacturer that specialises in making celebration cakes that are suitable for people with nut allergies is expanding with the creation of 18 new jobs with support from the Welsh Government’s Economic Growth Fund.
The Just Love Food Company was set up by Mike Woods after he discovered two of his three children suffered from severe nut allergies.
It was the first – and remains the only company in the UK – to supply the major supermarkets with celebration cakes suitable for people with nut allergies.
The £60,000 Welsh Government grant will enable the business – which began trading from the Oakdale Business Park, Blackwood in 2010 – to buy additional equipment to increase its capacity and capability. As well as creating new jobs it will also safeguard 48 existing jobs.
Economy Minister Edwina Hart visited the firm last month.
Following a tour of the Just Love Food Company the Minister said: “I’m delighted to hear of its success and how Welsh Government support is enabling the company to invest in new equipment and win new business.
“It’s also good to hear that an innovative Welsh company has stepped in to fill a gap in the market and is now selling its products throughout the UK, creating jobs and supporting the local economy.
“The Economic Growth Fund is playing a key role in helping companies throughout Wales to expand, take advantage of new business opportunities and create new jobs.”
The £120,000 investment in new equipment will also ensure continuity of production should there be any potential breakdown or failure of equipment – which is a requirement of major supermarkets before awarding significant contracts.
Mike Woods said: “This is a very important investment for us and will help take the business to the next level. We will shortly be supplying all four of the major supermarkets with our celebration cakes and had to ensure security of supply which we could not have done without support from the Economic Growth Fund.”
Mike, who has 20 years experience in food manufacturing, also supplies nut free birthday cakes to Pizza Hut for children’s parties and hopes to expand in the future to include nut free party foods.