A milestone year for Westgate Labs!
30 December 2024
Our 2024 in Review
As we near the end of a bumper 2024 and our 25th year of business, we want to take a moment to send our sincere thanks to you all for trusting us with your animal’s parasite control this year. Whether you’ve sent samples, shared appreciation for our news and updates, or simply followed along, your connection with us is the heart of our success.
As a small, family business your support means so much. Together we really are making a difference to slowing wormer resistance and safeguarding the health of the beloved animals in our care. This year has been one of celebration, growth, and unforgettable moments, and we couldn’t have done it without you!
Here are just a few of the highlights:
- We celebrated our 25th Birthday and looked back over the difference our contributions have made to improving parasite control for horses. The adage 'Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world' seems very fitting!
- 25 miles for 25 years? In June this year, the Westgate team walked the coastal path of Northumberland from Bamburgh to Warkworth Castles, raising over £3000 for World Horse Welfare.
- Co-Founder and Director of Westgate Labs, David Booth, was honoured with a lifetime achievement award from the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA), the highest industry accolade!
- It was a big year for getting out an about. Westgate Labs hit the road with our new trade stand and attended three of the big equine events to talk to people about best practice parasite control for their horses. Maybe you stopped to say hello at The National Equine Show, Horse of the Year Show or Your Horse Live? We also attended BETA International where Claire presented a seminar on wormer resistance.
- In September of 2024 we launched our new eco sample pot to take our test kits 100% plastic free! Made from a cutting-edge biomaterial, they look and behave like plastic, but once used, can be composted on our farm muck heap. It’s estimated that this new development, combined with the rest of our recycling avctivity, reduces our waste to landfill by a total of 90%!
- Marketing Director Claire continued her contributions to CANTER this year, the pan industry group formed to tackle wormer resistance in equines. As a member of the Core Steering Group and leading the Communications Subgroup, she was instrumental in the launch of the CANTER Guidelines published September 2024.
- Many other smaller wins went on behind the scenes in our continual quest to educate, inform and improve our systems and processes to enable us to deliver the levels of customer service you know and love from our team.
2024 has been our busiest ever with more people getting on board with evidence based, targeted parasite control for their horses, poultry, and farm animals. On each day the post bag is our first priority; all samples tested to our exacting standards, results reported, orders sent, advice given and queries answered!
We wish you all a happy, healthy new year and look forward to being of service to you and your animals in 2025.
With all our best wishes from the Westgate Team!