Paul Draper, Founder, draperGROUP: "What we’re doing is creating the optimum environment for the rearing of poultry." Picture: Dorset Biz News.
Published: June 4, 2021 | Updated: 7th February 2022
The figure is pretty staggering.
One billion chickens – known as broilers – bred and raised annually for meat production in the UK.
Many are housed in poultry sheds with approximately 5,000 in the UK.
And about 20 per cent of those sheds rely on a Dorset-based company for their ventilation, feeding and heating.
draperGROUP, and its eight component businesses, most notably draperVENT, has carved out a sizeable chunk of a large, and expanding market.
It was founded in 1995 by Paul Draper to sell and install ventilation systems in poultry broiler and free-range layer houses throughout the country.
The company now designs, develops and installs its own unique de-humidification, heating and ventilation systems for bespoke buildings used in poultry farming.
Annual turnover increased ten-fold – from £1.05m to £10.2m – between 2009 and 2019.
It’s now on course for annual sales of £13m with a five-year growth plan forecast to catapult that figure to £30m by 2024.
The company’s new £1.7m headquarters at Dorset Innovation Park, assisted by a £740,000 Growing Places Fund loan from Dorset LEP, is central to the expansion.
An existing 500 m² building is to be extensively refurbished to include education, training, research and innovation facilities as well as administration offices.
Meanwhile a brand new 1,250 m² building will provide a demonstration showroom and test area for large equipment together with light manufacturing and assembly and storage and distribution.
draperGROUP say that apart from boosting turnover, productivity and profit, its new HQ:
To steer the company’s growth and allow Paul to concentrate on innovation – “what I do best and love” – Matt West joined earlier this year as Managing Director.
Paul, 50, pictured, said: “These are genuinely exciting times for the business.
“Essentially what we’re doing is creating the optimum environment for the rearing of poultry.
“It’s all about efficiency and getting the right balance of heating, lighting, ventilation and feeding.
“There is huge potential for us as a business and these new facilities in Dorset put us in the best possible position to make the most of the opportunities.”
Dorset’s agri-tech sector is worth more than £108m and the county’s Local Industrial Strategy has identified it as a high-growth area.
Apart from draperVENT, other companies forming part of draperGROUP are:
Paul, a self-confessed ‘petrolhead’ and pictured with one of the draperRACING cars, said draperGROUP currently employed 32 staff with more jobs set to be created as the company’s growth plans are rolled out.
He added: “The future looks excellent.
“Our new Dorset site is just perfect for putting our plans into action.”
