£2.4m Combined Authority investment creates 30 jobs at South Liverpool company

A family owned business is to create 30 new jobs after a £2.4m Liverpool City Region Combined Authority loan allowed it to expand its newly formed logistics company by building a new warehouse.

Kays Medical Limited, an occupational health and medical supplies company, will also safeguard a further 5 jobs following the investment from the combined authority's Urban Development Fund (UDF). Kays Medical is the parent company of the newly formed 3rd party logistics business that developed off the back of nearly 50 years' experience in warehousing and distribution of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals.

The loan will be repaid in full and was not available from commercial lenders. It enabled Kays to build a 33,000 sq ft warehousing facility next to its headquarters on the Estuary Commerce Park in Speke. The construction phase of the project is now complete, and the warehouse is operational.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:- "SMEs are the engine of our economy, they account for 99% of businesses in our area, and contribute millions of pounds of investment and generate thousands of jobs for local people. Every day, I see the value these businesses bring to our area, the opportunities they create for people; and the positive impact they have on the communities they operate in. That's why I want to ensure that we're helping to put them in the best position to succeed; because we know that when local businesses are given the support they need to thrive, the rest of our economy flourishes too. Dozens of SMEs have benefitted from our Urban Development Fund so far and it's because of its high success rate that we can offer even more business owners the helping hand they need to take their company to the next level."

Ben Ludzker, CEO of Kays Medical Limited, said:- "Our move to Speke in 2017 enabled us to significantly grow the business, to the extent that we needed even more space to expand our 3rd party logistics operations. The finance from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has meant that we could create the additional space we needed while remaining on our existing site. Now that construction of the new facility is complete, we can put our ambitious growth plans for the business into action, creating jobs and prosperity for local people at the same time. Having this additional capacity is vitally important as we hope to benefit from increased trade associated with the new Liverpool City Region Freeport."

Councillor Janette Williamson, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Portfolio Holder for Inclusive Economy and Third Sector, said:- "This is a great example of how we can support local businesses to grow and create jobs and prosperity for local people. This loan, not available to Kays Medical from commercial lenders, will enable the company to create 30 new jobs, and will now be repaid to the Combined Authority, with interest, so we can support more City Region businesses in the future."

Founded in 1976, Kays Medical is a Liverpool based SME that supplies industry with occupational health and wellbeing services, pharmaceuticals, first aid supplies, medical equipment and first aid training. Kays Logistics offers full 3rd party logistics solutions including order-fulfilment, inventory management, storage and distribution.

Having outgrown its former premises, the business relocated in 2017 to its current purpose-built office and warehouse facility of 75,000 sq ft in Speke. Following relocation, Kays has continued to grow impressively and now employs nearly 100 permanent staff - a headcount growth of around 50% since they relocated.

To continue with its growth plans, Kays has progressed the next stage of development by expanding its logistics and warehouse capacity through the construction of the new 33,000 sq ft detached warehouse unit adjacent to its existing office and sister warehouse, for which the LCR Urban Development Fund provided a loan of £2.4m.

The LCR Urban Development Fund is a £25m fund managed under the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority's Strategic Investment Fund framework. The Fund is backed by the 2014-2020 ERDF England Operational Programme and aims to foster smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. All its funding is repayable and recycled back into Liverpool City Region projects.

The fund can invest in projects that support:-

►  Research and Innovation.

►  Enhancing SMEs' growth and competitiveness.

►  Helping our companies and organisations transition to a Low Carbon Economy.

A Novel Approach to Supporting Schools this World Book Day

CHILDREN at Homeswood Methodist School, in Holmeswood, are celebrating World Book Day this year thanks to a donation of new books for their library from the Morrisons Foundation.

The Morrisons Foundation has partnered with the National Literacy Trust to donate 5,500 books to help inspire and nurture a love of reading for over 100,000 primary School children.

In addition to helping pupils with their literacy skills, the donated books have been specifically chosen to cover topics that are relevant for the development of a child's mental health, their emotional wellbeing and social inclusion.

Anna Ingram, Community Champion at Southport donated the books to the School saying:- "I'm delighted that through the partnership between the Morrisons Foundation and the National Literacy Trust we're able to provide these wonderful books for pupils at Holmeswood in our community. It's great to be able to help encourage children to read with their friends, families and teachers and I hope that they enjoy reading the books for many years to come."

Jonathan Douglas, Chief Executive of the National Literacy Trust said:- "It's wonderful to be working with the Morrisons Foundation for the 5th year to ensure children in communities all across the country are able to access books and celebrate World Book Day. Through Schools and the inspirational work of the Morrisons Community Champions we're delighted to be delivering books to thousands of children, many of whom may never have owned their own book before. The right book at that right time could be the spark of a child's reading journey, and help to develop crucial literacy skills they need to succeed at School and in adult life."

The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity dedicated to raising literacy levels in the UK, working with Schools, parents and local communities to make reading accessible to children from all backgrounds.

The Morrisons Foundation was set up by Morrisons supermarket in 2015 and awards grants for charity projects which help improve people's lives. Since launching, over £38 million has been donated to charities across:- England, Scotland and Wales.