HRH The Princess Royal dropped in to Monmouth last Friday to officially open the new state of the art factory premises of leading equine health supplement company, NAF.

Presented by Mr Simon Boyle, the Lord Lieutenant of Gwent, The Princess Royal arrived at the company's premises on Wonastow Road Industrial Estate West, Monmouth, to be introduced to key local dignitaries including Mrs Judith Child JP, The High Sheriff of Gwent ; Councillor Sue White, Chairman Monmouth Country Council; Mr Terry Christopher – Mayor of Monmouth; David Davies – MP for Monmouth and Nick Ramsay – Welsh Assembly Member.

Mr Richard Cleeve, Managing Director of NAF, then hosted a guided tour for the Royal party around the premises, explaining the various stages of production and introducing The Princess Royal to members of staff along the way.

Being a horsewoman herself the Princess took a keen interest in the products, how they are formulated and their use.

NAF, who produce natural dietary supplements for horses, dogs, poultry and game birds, moved to their Monmouth premises in August 2004 after relocating from their original base of twenty five years in Penrhos, near Raglan.

Since, they have doubled the size of their factory building which now boasts the latest in production line technology, research and quality control laboratories and smart office accommodation.

The company continues to go from strength to strength and now employs more than seventy staff, of which fifty five are local employees, from in and around Monmouth and Abergavenny, who work in administration and production supporting a national network of ten sales managers.

Said Nigel Oswell, Financial Director of NAF, "We are very proud of how the company has grown and of our position within the equestrian industry. We are not only the market leaders in our field we are the Official Suppliers of equine health supplements to horses on the British Equestrian Teams.

"Since relocating to Monmouth turnover has increased by over 50%. Our products are currently sold through approximately one thousand equine and country retail outlets nationwide, whilst a significant part of our growth is down to export sales – we currently distribute to twenty different countries.

"It was wonderful to have the opportunity to highlight our growth and success to key members of our community during the Royal Visit. I believe they were all suitably impressed and pleased to know that a company of our status was located here in their midst."

Following the Royal Visit Managing Director, Mr Cleeve commented, "We were very fortunate to welcome the Princess to our premises four years ago when we were still based in Penrhos. We felt very honoured for her to return to see us again after such a short time and, I have to say, we were extremely proud to show her how we had developed the company since her last visit.

"As before Her Royal Highness was particularly interested in the raw ingredients we use, our formulations and showed great interest in our new on site laboratories, where she spoke at length to our chemist Dr Sara Matthews Ph. D. BSc and British Team Veterinary Surgeon John McEwen.

"After congratulating us on our growth and success, we were thrilled to have the factory officially opened by The Princess Royal."