Pets Choice has signed a five-year lease and shipping agreement with ABP at the port of Cardiff, securing the location of its cat litter manufacturing site. 

The company has been managing the cat litter manufacturing facility since the acquisition of long-standing pet healthcare brand, Bob Martin UK in 2019. It has successfully grown its cat litter manufacturing for private label as well as its own brand, Felight.

Previously, short-term leasing of the facility has meant that jobs at the Cardiff factory have been on a contract basis. However, the longer-term lease agreement has allowed for permanent positions to be secured. 

Phil Knowles, CFO and COO of Pets Choice, said: “This is an exciting new agreement with ABP that secures the future of our cat litter manufacturing base in Cardiff. 

“The long-term nature of this agreement has allowed us to secure 18 permanent staff contracts and we hope that this number will increase with the growth of the business.

 “A port-side location is vital for the delivery of a key component of our products, and we’re delighted to strengthen our commitment to Cardiff as the home of our cat litter operation and the Felight brand.”

Andrew Harston, director of Wales & Short Sea Ports, said: “We are delighted to have signed these new agreements with Pets Choice, and that they have chosen to retain the cat litter operation at Cardiff. 

“Cardiff is already able to support a diverse range of cargoes, including dry bulks, but it is great we have been able to secure such a strong port-centric manufacturing customer here at the port.”