Rawdon supplement entrepreneur doubles sales during lockdown boom across globe

Ben Bunting, 36, set up his company Mil-tech Pharma Ltd from a Rawdon base in April 2019.

The company has two supplement brands - Military Muscle and Fertiligy.

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Military Muscle is a natural vegan-friendly muscle and fitness supplement, while Fertiligy - released during the pandemic - is described by Ben as a natural, vegan-friendly male fertility, and enhancement product.

Remarkably, Ben has grown the business alongside his career in the Army - including recently becoming a Lance Corporal.

The business has become the official nutrition partner for Chesterfield Panthers rugby club and is going from strength to strength.

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Speaking to the YEP, Ben said sales have increased by 95% in the last 12 months.

He said: "I started the main supplement brand in August 2019 called Military Muscle.

"It's a natural, vegan-friendly muscle and fitness supplement.

"It's produced in Yorkshire and shipped from the UK while 97% of my sales are exported mainly to the USA.

"Over the last 12 months, I have seen a 95% increase in sales, this has now led the company to produce the supplement over in the US with a US distribution hub to serve North America."

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Ben said he has overseen the expansion while being deployed by the Army.

He explained: "While we saw this expansion I was deployed with the Army.

"I served as a reservist with 217 Transport Squadron, part of 150 Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps on Operation RESCRIPT based in Leicestershire for 6 months from April to Sept 2020 conducting the MOD's mobile testing units for the track and trace

"I have since been promoted to Lance Corporal."

Ben said he was "really proud" to be involved in the Ministry of Defece response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

He added: "Being part of the Army Reserves offers unique and various experiences that help towards keeping the UK safe.

"Our squadron's deployment of soldiers allowed us to respond to the ongoing threat of the virus and ultimately serve the community, which is what we sign up for.

"The deployment of the mobile testing units allowed the general public to be quickly and efficiently tested within 24 hours."

Ben's squadron is based at Harewood Barracks on Skinner Lane, Leeds.

Upon demobilization, Ben went back to university to study for a postgraduate in Exercise Sport & Nutrition at Leeds Beckett and is hoping to graduate in June 2021.