Pictured above: Green Mile owner Joe Kinnersley lying down
on the job
The downturn in the housing market is providing a Staffordshire
firm with an innovative solution to creature comforts.
The Green Mile Company, based at Seighford saw a gap in the
market to develop a unique and environmentally-friendly product
that can be used for equine and animal bedding.
Traditionally this bedding has been made from wood shavings, but
the crunch has made the material more expensive as it is in short
supply, so The Green Mile Company shreds corrugated cardboard made
from uncontaminated waste board from box and cardboard sheet
manufacturers for its bedding.
The bedding has a unique appearance giving it better absorbency
and is much easier to handle when mucking out or removing from
contaminated areas. The bedding is also 100 per cent biodegradable
and will break down within eight - 12 weeks. It is even safe enough
to spread on the fields or can be used as a weed repelling compost
in the garden.
Green Mile owner Joe Kinnersley began operating from a small
unit in May last year, but quickly came to recognise that he needed
to expand operations.
He decided to invest in new machinery that would be able to
shred and bale the cardboard in the quantities his customers needed
and approached Business Link West Midlands (BLWM) for help
accessing the finance.
The company has recently expanded into the horse racing industry
with high profile clients that include Mr Nicky Vaughan and
well-known Uttoxeter trainer, John Mackie.
29-year-old Joe commented: "We had to look to diversify when the
domestic market turned their horses out in the nicer weather and we
have had great success branching out into the racing industry and
the professional market is fast becoming our main
clientele.
"In addition, the British Horse Society has been impressed
enough by our product to put us on its list of approved suppliers
and in the next three-four weeks we will start distribution into
Ireland."
Joe had initially contacted BLWM when he was setting up his
company and was pleased with the help he received from the
organisation.
"I was like many people starting their own business and they
made me realise that I had to invest more if I was to make the
company successful.
"They put me in touch with Advantage West Midlands, who in turn
arranged for me to get financial help and now the business is on a
much firmer footing."
However, he still uses the Business Link support system whenever
he needs additional help.
"If I've got any legal queries or I need to check a health and
safety issue then I will use Business Link because they have always
been very helpful and I have been very satisfied with the service I
have received," said Joe.
As well as branching out further with distribution, The Green
Mile Company is also about to launch a new budget version of their
product which they believe will fill a huge gap in the domestic
market as an extremely affordable option.
David Terry, Head of Environment for BLWM, said: "Green Mile has
come up with an innovative and environmentally-friendly product
that will be of benefit to the whole equine sector.
"We felt the company was worthy of investment and directed it
towards the appropriate channels. We are delighted that our faith
is being repaid and we wish the company every success in the
future."
The company which employs five people incurred major costs in
setting up but is hopeful of generating turnover of around
£213,000 in its first year.
In addition to help accessing finance, Business Link West
Midlands has introduced a new support package especially designed
for 'land-based' companies. The package includes a dedicated
information website and a team of industry specialists.
The move, which is being supported by a host of key partners
like the Rural Hubs, Natural England and local authorities, is
designed to provide firms with the expertise and knowledge they
need to make the most of a changing industry and more immediate
concerns, such as flooding, the credit crunch and climate
change.
For further information on the support package firms should
contact Business Link West Midlands on 0845 113 1234 or visit www.rurallink.co.uk