King’s award for slug pellet manufacturer

The UK’s only manufacturer of slug pellets has received a King’s Award for International Trade –recognising the company’s growth in overseas sales.

Supplying both the farming and the amateur home and garden sectors, Nottinghamshire-based Doff Portland has seen overseas sales growth of 300% over three years. Exports now represent well over 10% of the business.

Doff Portland chief executive Ben Shapiro says: “For our agricultural exports, the award acknowledges Doff’s success in France, which is testament to the market’s acceptance of our latest formulation of ferric phosphate slug pellets.

Weather-proof

“We recently launched the same formulation in the UK under the Firescale brand and look forward to continued growth in both markets,” adds Mr Shapiro, who attributes the company’s success to its expertise in pellet manufacture alongside innovation and investment.

“Our team has designed and registered a high-quality, rain-fast pellet – formulated for British weather using British wheat, which is proving popular with farmers, both at home and in France,” says Mr Shapiro.

“Quick turnaround has been key, to ensure thousands of tonnes of product can reach farmers – whether in the UK, or on the continent, at short notice.  We understand pest pressure is closely linked to weather conditions and a responsive service is critical.”

UK farmers gain from the export success, with slug pellets manufactured using British wheat which is then milled at the Nottingham plant. Doff Portland’s local sourcing and manufacturing methods mean the process has the lowest carbon footprint in the EU.

Mr Shapiro also points to the company’s growth in retail exports to the EU.  Growth has resulted from the company extending its UK authorisations for slug control to over 15 EU countries.  This has facilitated the export of a wider product range spanning biocides, herbicides, and insecticides.

“Navigating the hurdles of Brexit over recent years has been a challenge, but it’s credit to the entire team and our suppliers that we’ve secured a portfolio of key authorisations and established ourselves in important EU markets with both retail and agricultural customers.”