South Shields animal feed additive firm looks to international growth

Managing director of Herban UK Ltd. William Stewart.

Herban UK Ltd., one of the leading UK suppliers of essential oil products, provides a high-quality additive, which supports the health status of livestock.

Following its relaunch in July 2014, Herban UK has gone from strength to strength, driving forward expansion plans with the support of the Department for International Trade (DIT).

Managing director William Stewart says he is excited about the future of the South Shields firm, which imports oregano oil from Europe where it’s harvested as a plant, then steam distilled to extract the oil used in Herban Feed Additive.

This creates the unique additive called Herban Premix & Liquid for animal production.

DIT worked closely with Herban UK, offering support to enable the company to travel to Nigeria and Ghana in West Africa to establish professional networks.

William said: “Working with DIT has been very successful. Its support helped our distribution in West Africa, which is somewhere I was keen to expand, having spent a long period of my life in West Africa.

“I am particularly aware of the market conditions and the business opportunities it has to offer.

“We now have 12 international distributors – but our aim is to go further. We are already planning the next phase of our development into Central America and South East Asia.”

Herban Premix and Liquid is a complementary feedstuff containing a sensory additive used as a flavouring compound for animal feeds.

William said: “The active ingredient is an oregano essential oil. The oregano is grown in Europe, before it is harvested, dried, and steamed distilled to remove the oil.

“It produces a natural extract which offers a unique taste and flavour to support water and feed consumption during stress periods.”

William added: “In the UK, we are one of the leading suppliers of oregano essential oils to the agricultural sector.”

The number of people involved in the company are 10, but growth plans are already underway.

International Trade Director, Julie Underwood, said “Herban UK is a wonderful operation, both locally and globally, and it is great to be a part of its expansion.”