Swindon-based safety footwear manufacturer Tuffking has received a six-figure investment from the British Business Bank's South West Investment Fund, via appointed fund manager, Newcastle-based FW Capital.
Tuffking will create nine jobs, expand its client base and invest more into its new UK manufacturing facilities, enabling the company to produce more British-made boots.
The business recently relocated its HQ to Swindon and has a long history of providing hard-wearing protective boots since it was founded as Giffard Newton & Sons in 1854.
Managing director Ryan Dhindsa said: "We’ve a very well-established business that is growing at pace and the investment received from the South West Investment Fund via FW Capital is a great boost. The nature of our business and clients’ needs means we are a specialist manufacturer with a reputation for delivering quality and trusted products.
"Leveraging over 170 years of technical knowledge and experience we have evolved our business to meet increased demands across a wide variety of sectors. The funding will help us to innovate and invest further in our product range."
The team at FW Capital was led by David Goodall fund manager, supported by Kevin Goodall and Ben Donati.
Ben Donati, investment executive at FW Capital, added: "Tuffking is on an exciting journey of growth as it reacts to changing demands which has seen them diversify and expand their product range.
"They are also creating new jobs as they continue to strengthen their position as a leading UK manufacturer in their field.
"The business has a strong heritage and reputation for excellence, and we’re thrilled to help them with this next stage of their development.
"This is a great example of how the funding from the South West Investment Fund can help to achieve their growth ambitions and better serve their customers thanks to the necessary working capital behind them."
The South West Investment Fund covers the entire South West region and provides loans from £25,000 to £2m and equity investment up to £5m to help small and medium sized businesses to start up, scale up or stay ahead.
Fund manager FW Capital provides debt finance using the South West Investment Fund to businesses in Bristol, Gloucestershire, North and North East Somerset and Wiltshire.
