The Mentholatum Company, a leading global healthcare brand specialist, identified an organisational need to expand its factory in order to realise its ambitious growth plans. To assist in the expansion, Mentholatum decided to apply for a grant from Scottish Enterprise, a Government body.

Fuel created a Public Affairs programme designed to communicate the benefits of the expansion to the local community and to ensure Mentholatum's intentions where made open and transparent. After conducting a stakeholder mapping exercise, MPs, councillors, journalists, the local mayor, employees, suppliers, and local people where invited to a Community Open Day at Mentholatum's European Headquarters.

At the Community Open Day Mentholatum's Managing Director provided a presentation on the company's plans and outlined how this would benefit local people and businesses. Attendees completed a questionnaire asking for feedback on the initiative and community groups were asked to submit ideas for community projects that Mentholatum could support.

The company used the positive written endorsements from its stakeholders and consequent media coverage around the event to help develop its relationship with Scottish Enterprise and support its grant application. The business result was a successful £1 million grant which is being used to redevelop Mentholatum's manufacturing plant in East Kilbride.