Stuart Yuill

Family-run vegan food producer Planet Kuku Ltd has been enabled to relocate to a new premises, allowing them to increase production by 400%. The new facility has provided the additional space they require to meet high demand for their products.

Allergen-free food production company Saltire Coconuts, trading as Calvin’s Free From Foods, was awarded a loan to allow the business to scale up production of its vegan and gluten-free Coconut Flatbread rolls along with other products.

Mateusz Noniewicz, director of Planet Kuku alongside partner Maria Janowczyk, said: “We applied for the loan after we learned that we had outgrown our shared kitchen and would no longer have access to it in 2020. The funding from DSL couldn’t have come at a better time, it created an incredible opportunity for us.

“Our new premises has capacity for us to increase production from 40 Kukus per day to 160 and is also providing us with the opportunity to work towards achieving a SALSA (Safe and Local Supplier Approval) accreditation. Not only will this funding allow us to move into our very own rented space, but we will finally be able to meet demand for our product and accommodate for customers seeking much larger orders.”

Sabine Klaus-Carter, owner of Saltire Coconuts, said: “Our aim was to have a market-ready product by summer 2020. However, Covid-19 has pushed this back until now. It’s thanks to DSL that we’re now able to progress our plans and take our products to market.”

Stuart Yuill, executive director at DSL Business Finance, said: “Both Planet Kuku and Saltire Coconuts are fantastic examples of the progressive, healthy food offerings available in Edinburgh and were excellent candidates to receive our support.”

He added: “Mat and Maria have built up an impressive network of contacts and loyal custom throughout Edinburgh and beyond and they have established an excellent market presence. Their product is in high demand and much loved by customers. It’s clear they have a significant presence and understanding within the vegan market.

“Sabine has demonstrated strong knowledge and hands-on experience of sales, marketing, cost and budget strategy in the success of her video production company. She also has a substantial understanding of the allergen world and impressively, has self-funded Saltire Coconuts over the last two years during its development and testing stages.

“I’m excited to watch each of these businesses grow and follow their journeys as they are led to further success by Mat, Maria and Sabine.”