by business editor Trevor Sturgess

A growing ice cream and sorbet maker that counts dogs among its customers has invested £200,000 in new facilities to meet rising demand.

Sales at Taywell, based in Paddock Wood, have soared by 70% and are likely to grow steeply with a new deal with wholesaler Costco.

It has also won manufacturing and distribution rights for the popular ice cream for dogs Billy + Margot.

It is on sale at garden centre chain Dobbies and comes in two flavours; strawberry and apple, or apple, banana and carrot.

Nutritionist and dog lover Marie Sawle, from Hampshire, created the concept with Taywell and named it after her own dogs.

Taywell has kitted out its factory with new machinery and storage capacity. It's the second major expansion for Taywell in the past two years, coming after the completion of a new £100,000 kitchen in November 2010.

The latest re-fit includes the installation of a new 600-litre mixing plant, a rotary filling machine, a continuous freezer and fruit feeder, and increased pallet freezer space. Further investment to the tune of £20,000 is planned soon.

Managing director Alastair Jessel said: "In spite of the continuing economic downturn we continue to see incredible growth in sales of our premium ice creams and sorbets, particularly in the out-of-home and restaurant sector.

It demonstrates that, even when finances are stretched, demand for high quality and affordable treats - such as our products - remains robust.

Our £200,000 investment in new machinery and storage will ensure we can keep providing a high level of service to our existing customers - and new ones, too."