In 2022, the company took over the former Rosso site on Knowsley Road Industrial Estate in Haslingden, a move that led to a significant increase in staff and turnover.
Doubling the Team, Growing the Business
Marketing Manager Vicki Last said: “In the last five years we have gone from 50 employees to 100 and the turnover has done something similar. We were growing as a business and we needed more employees and we found them in the local area; we now have generations of the same families working for the company.”
The business produces fragrance oils that sell internationally and go into everything from well known cleaning products and candles to soaps and fine perfumes.
Beyond ‘Nice’ Fragrances
Vicki said: “Every single fragrance we produce is bespoke and we have more than 400 UK customers as well as our extensive international operations. We don’t just make ‘nice’ fragrances; we have also been tasked with producing smells for Jorvik in York, scratch-and-sniff scents for a movie launch, fragrances for immersive rooms, and even a fragrance to help wild animals settle into new habitats.”
Large Business Winner at Rossendale Business Awards
At last November’s Rossendale Business Awards, Carvansons was shortlisted in the Large Business category sponsored by Finlay Jude Associates. Representing the company, Vicki was invited to the stage along with We Buy Books and MattressTek, and she said it was a surprise when Carvansons was announced as the winner.
Keeping true to its roots, second generation John Whowell — who at 83 is still a working Director at the business — continues to play an active role. His son Luke is Managing Director and his grandson Ethan is Commercial Analyst.
Giving Back to the Community
The company works with East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce and gives back by providing the Chamber Ball with bespoke scented candles, fragranced to match the theme — bubble gum for the 1980s, cherry red for a red-carpet musical theme.
When Councillor Judith Driver was Mayor of Rossendale, she selected a Lancashire Red Rose-scented candle made by Carvansons for her Rossendale Mayor’s Ball.
Next Markets and New Horizons
Looking to the future, Vicki said the company has just employed a Commercial Manager whose task is to source customers in new markets such as Africa, South East Asia and South America.
Rossendale Business Awards 2025
The 16th annual Rossendale Business Awards will be held on Saturday 29 November with a presentation night at The Ashcroft, Whitworth.
This year will be the first for new Chair of awards organiser Valley at Work, Jess Stanton. She said: “I was delighted to be elected to the position of chair at the AGM in July. Valley at Work is an amazing way to connect and promote local businesses and our monthly meetings keep everyone involved and working together, which can only be to the benefit of all local businesses.”
Nominations open Friday 19 September. For more information, visit r-awards.co.uk or email chair@valleyatwork.co.uk.
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