Three people inside a pork pie factory

Source: UKSE / Richard Harris

L-R: UKSE regional executive Mike Lowe, T.C. Morris chief executive Charlotte Tennant, and UKSE area manager Steve Grice

Family-run pork pie business T.C. Morris has secured a five-figure funding boost to help it expand and meet rising demand for its products.

The funding helped the business, which was established in 1939, move from its site in Walsall Street in Willenhall to a purpose-built facility on Blackbrook Industrial Estate in Dudley.

It has also invested in a new four-rack capacity oven which, along with its existing equipment, will help it meet rising demand for its 40-strong range of pork pies, sausage rolls, and scotch eggs for foodservice and catering sectors.

Chief executive and fourth generation family member Charlotte Tennant is driving the growth with an ambitious plan for the business. Tennant came on board in 2010 as she wanted to follow in her father and grandfather’s footsteps.

“With the support of managing director, Allan Jones, together we have worked hard to increase our customer base, expand our product range and we are now exploring export opportunities,” she said, highlighting that the new premises will help the firm to meet this demand.

“We are proud that all our existing employees stayed with us as part of the move; some of whom have been with us for more than 40 years.”

The growth has also helped the business to recruit an additional five members of staff with plans to offer apprenticeship opportunities in the future, bringing the total to just over 50.

Rather than obtain funding from mainstream lenders, T.C. Morris was introduced to UKSE by Birmingham-based Central Business Finance.

Providing strategic loan and equity packages of up to £1m to generate growth, UKSE’s West Midlands team create local job opportunities and bolster the economy by supporting SMEs across Birmingham, the Black Country, Coventry, Staffordshire, and Shropshire. To date, it has invested over £115m, supporting 8,000 businesses, stimulating the creation of an estimated 83,000 new jobs.

UKSE regional executive Mike Lowe added: “At UKSE our aim is to support businesses to grow, innovate and create job opportunities. Charlotte and the team at T.C. Morris are a great Black Country success story and we were delighted to be able to support their growth plans.”