Stockton-based Cleveland Biotech grows its workforce after securing contracts

CBio, which has a turnover of around £2m, creates bacterial-busting products which can break down organic pollutants

Stockton-based Cleveland Biotech is growing its workforce by 35% after securing five contract extensions worth £2.25m.

The firm announced ambitious expansion plans last July following a successful £4.4m management buyout backed by Newcastle-based NVM Private Equity and led by managing director Ben Hoskyns, a move which ploughed around £3m into the business.

Those plans are coming to fruition now as the firm invests in staff, adding five new employees to the 14-strong workforce, including a new commercial manager who aims to double sales by 2017, two new engineers with another on the way and a marketing assistant.

CBio, which has a turnover of around £2m, creates bacterial-busting products which can break down organic pollutants including oil, grease and limescale, which are found on supermarket shelves in the UK and Europe.

Exports have also been made to Poland, Australia, New Zealand and the Baltic States, but Mr Hoskyns’ focus is firmly fixed on the UK where gains are to be made from tightening UK hygiene and health legislation.

Now the company has announced lucrative repeat business with five of its biggest clients, all UK retail giants.

It has agreed contracts with supermarket stalwart Morrisons, the hugely successful pub chain Marstons and retail and fashion department store House of Fraser, clients it aids by installing and maintaining grease management equipment in their commercial kitchens and catering areas which can prevent the growth of ‘fatbergs’ like the 15tonne one discovered in a London sewer last summer.

The firm also met with the Mayor of London Boris Johnson’s team as well, to discuss ways the two could work together to maintain and protect London’s resources.

Mr Hoskyns said: “We’ve had a fantastic start to 2014 – over £2m in repeat business, five new employees, industry accolades and even a meeting with The Mayor of London’s office.

“We plan to take this success, build on it, and really cement our position as the UK’s best grease management company. Now we have the right mix of people coupled with high respect from our satisfied clients, who remain our best form of marketing, I see this as a highly achievable aim.”

New recruit Sarah McKenzie, CBio commercial manager, added: “As CBio start on their next chapter of growth, the management team have recognised the opportunity in investing in their sales team.

“It is my objective to support our ambitious business plan, doubling our sales over the next three years.

“I aim to do this by supporting the sales and marketing functions, growing existing business and the on-boarding of new customers.”