An ethically-sourced vegan healthy living company is creating a new headquarters in Mid Wales.
Naissance, which employs more than 100 people at their manufacturing and warehouse space in Neath, has purchased a new corporate building in Powys after expanding into the European and US markets.
The marketing, strategy and other management functions will be based at their new corporate offices at Glansevern Hall in Montgomeryshire. There will be no job losses in Neath, which will remain the company’s main manufacturing base, and has Naissance has experienced strong growth it is looking to create more jobs in the town soon, as well as at the new Powys HQ.
The expansion was possible after the business received a seven-figure loan from the Development Bank of Wales. As an existing customer of the bank, Naissance had been working with the portfolio team on expansion opportunities within Wales.
Glansevern, which had been listed on the market for £2,650,000, is a Grade II Regency Greek Revival style house that was built between 1801 and 1806. The property was listed as having 25 acresof gardens, with a mixture of formal planting, lawns, a 5 acre lake and many unusual and ancient specimen trees.
Customers will be able to visit Glansevern to experience Naissance and learn about the sustainable sourcing and manufacturing process of its products and ingredients. With sustainability being a priority for Naissance, the new HQ will see goods grown on-site used in their café and the creation of products, as well as establishing sustainable energy sources.
Managing director and founder of Naissance Jem Skelding said: “Plants and people are at the heart of everything we do. This fantastic location will not only be a source of some of our natural ingredients but also a place for you to get hands-on and experience what makes Naissance different.”
The business was founded in 2005 by Mr Skelding at his kitchen table mixing raw ingredients in an effort to develop a serum for damaged skin. He has been put off by the increasing amount of products with confusing labels on shelves and wanted to create something that was completely natural and ethically sound.
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The inspiration behind Naissance and Mr Skelding’s passion for natural materials and products stems from a childhood spent in Africa with his family. He had also studied sciences at university and completed a degree in biomedicine.
By trying his hand at numerous small ventures over the years Mr Skelding built up a lot of experience in the basics of running a business. When ecommerce began to take off, he spotted an opportunity to start an online retail business selling natural and organic plant based products with health and nutritional benefits.
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Naissance creates cruelty-free and fair trade essential oils, carrier oils, soaps, salts and clays, as well as massage products. Underpinning their do-good, feel-good values, Naissance uses only natural ingredients and concentrate on sourcing responsibly with Fairtrade and other cooperatives across the globe.
Senior portfolio executive Dave Perez worked with Mr Skelding and the Naissance team on the deal on behalf of the Development Bank of Wales. He said: “This is a great next step for Naissance, who has successfully opened operations in New York and Berlin in recent years.
"Their new headquarters allows them to put their sustainable values into practice with a range of positive environmental policies, from biofuel heating to growing some of their source materials used in their products onsite – reducing their carbon footprint.
"We’re delighted to be able to work with Jem and the team to further grow this great Welsh business and look forward to seeing the next stage of their expansion.”