MIDAS SHARING TIPS: Fitness food company Applied Nutrition has the power to boost your budget

Thomas Ryder left school at the age of 16 and went to work on a construction site. Yesterday he turned 41 and is about to launch his sports nutrition business, Applied Nutritionfor up to £400m, pocketing between £80m and £90m.

So how did he do it? Should individual investors subscribe to shares?

Raised on a council estate in Kirkby, near Liverpool, Ryder was ambitious from an early age, working day and night to earn extra money and build a better life. He was also a gym devotee and decided to cash in on his passion by selling protein powders and sports supplements in his area.

Applied Nutrition was founded in 2014. Initially selling supplements created by third parties, production was soon brought in-house and today 90 per cent of its products are designed and manufactured at the group’s facility in Knowsley, Merseyside.

This gives the company an advantage, allowing it to bring new products to market quickly, keep prices competitive, and ensure quality is consistent.

Merchandise ranges from hydration drinks and dietary supplements for everyday consumers to specialist compounds for professional athletes, such as martial arts darlings Molly ‘Meatball’ McCann and Paddy ‘the Baddy’ Pimblett.

The company, which has Coleen Rooney as its brand ambassador, has hundreds of products under four different brands: Applied Nutrition itself, BodyFuel, Endurance and ABE, short for All Black Everything.

Each has its own niche, but the emphasis on quality prevails in the group: products conform to specific standards, use premium ingredients, have an appetizing taste and attractive appearance.

Driven by a tireless work ethic, fierce energy and a determination to build Applied Nutrition into a leading global brand, Ryder has expanded the business at pace, with a turnover of £86m in the year to July and profits before of taxes of more than £. 24 million.

The UK accounts for almost 40 per cent of sales, but Applied Nutrition products are available in 80 countries, including the US, where they are stocked by retail giant Walmart.

Despite recent progress, Ryder believes his business is just beginning to reach its potential. Determined to create the world’s most trusted and innovative company in its field, its team has extensive plans for growth, creating new products, entering new markets and selling more in existing locations.

Going public is a key part of the plan, giving Applied Nutrition greater credibility with large customers, suppliers, employees and financiers of large companies. The shares are on sale through AJ Bell, Hargreaves Lansdown and Interactive Investor, priced between £1.36 and £1.60. Applications must be received by 10am on Wednesday, there is a minimum subscription of £250 and the final price will be revealed on Thursday.

Ryder owns 52 per cent of the business and is selling up to 59 million shares, making a few shillings in the process. But he will remain a 30 percent shareholder and exudes commitment to the business.

JD Sports, an early investor, is reducing its stake from 31 per cent to 5 per cent, but Ryder has secured the support of four of the North West’s richest businessmen: Mohsin Issa, former Asda boss Tom Morris , founder of Discount the Home Bargains chain and real estate magnates William Ainscough and George Dawson.

With a combined fortune that far exceeds £10bn, the quartet are banking on Ryder by subscribing to millions of shares.

Newly appointed Chairman Andy Bell provides another vote of confidence in the business, having successfully created and floated the popular AJ Bell investment platform.

Ryder is an enthusiastic advocate for his own products, exercising vigorously seven days a week and taking supplements, powders and shakes before and after training and throughout the day.

Products are sold through specialist retailers, gyms and supermarkets, as well as online, direct and through sites such as Amazon and eBay.

The sports nutrition, health and wellness market is huge, valued at almost £190bn a year, and forecast to reach £280bn a year by 2028.

It’s also very competitive, but Applied Nutrition tries to maintain an advantage by focusing on quality, the best ingredients, and many new products.

Midas Verdict: IPOs on the London market have been a rarity this year, but Applied Nutrition is worth a closer look. Health, fitness and wellness are hot, and Applied Nutrition products are highly regarded among business clients, consumers and professional athletes. At a price range of £1.36 to £1.60, the stock should offer long-term rewards.

To negotiate at: Main market Contact: appliednutrition.es