Member Article

West Yorkshire cosmetics firm Badgequo receives £600k Finance Yorkshire investment

A West Yorkshire cosmetics firm which trades throughout Europe has secured a second major funding package from Finance Yorkshire.

The deal has seen Silsden based Badgequo receive an Equity Linked investment totalling £600k, which it will use to fund continued growth throughout the UK and abroad.

An initial funding package made in 2011 comprised a £800k Equity Linked investment and a £100k Business Loan.

The company produces both own-brand products for major High Street retailers and its own branded ranges including Technic and Body Collection.

Badgequo was bought out by managing director Kai Arter and his wife Linda in 2006, and has since grown from seven employees, 70 customers and a turnover of just under £5 million, to 35 staff, 275 customers and a turnover of £10.9 million.

Kai Arter said: “The business has grown impressively since the original investment, to the point where exports now account for around 50% of our total turnover, compared to around 15% in 2011.

“We’re enjoying phenomenal growth both in the UK and abroad, and this latest investment will be vital in building further on that.”

Finance Yorkshire portfolio manager Ian Brown said: “The fact that Badgequo has secured a second investment is testament to how successful the business has become, and the strength of its future prospects.

“Kai and Linda Arter have consistently demonstrated strong business and commercial acumen, and we are confident Badgequo will continue to go from strength to strength.”

Armstrong Watson’s Corporate Finance team and Gordons Solicitors advised Badgequo on the deal, while Walker Morris supported Finance Yorkshire.

Armstrong Watson Partner Phil Bailey said: “We’ve been delighted to work with Kai and Linda since they acquired the business in 2006 and are pleased to continue providing strategic advice to help them achieve their objectives.”

Finance Yorkshire provides seedcorn, loan and equity linked investments, ranging from £15,000 to £2m to help a range of small and medium sized businesses to meet their funding requirements for growth and development.

The project is supported financially by the European Union. It has attracted £30 million investment from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of Europe’s support for the region’s economic development through the Yorkshire and Humber ERDF Programme, £15 million from UK Government and £45 million match funding from the European Investment Bank.

For more information about Finance Yorkshire, please visit www.finance-yorkshire.com or call 0845 649 0000.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .