By Kloe Palmer
A Christchurch dog food manufacturer is looking to raise nearly $3 million from new investors.
Since starting out three years ago K9 Natural has grown 800 percent, and this year was listed by Deloitte as the fastest growing manufacturer in the country.
K9 Natural started as a small boutique pet food company, and chief executive Calvin Smith says its success is “staggering”.
All we have done is followed Mother Nature, but everyone else has gone down a different path,” he says.
The company is seeking new investors to raise money and help to grow the brand internationally.
Most of the money will be put towards sales in North America, Canada and Japan, Mr Smith says.
“Even though it is quite a difficult environment at the moment investors are always looking for companies that are going to grow,” he says.
The manufacturing of pet food is one of only five industries globally to have grown since the financial crisis started.
After doubling its exports over the last three years, the company is now struggling to keep up with demand.
3 News