A prompt response from Skipton Business Finance supports the growth of a leading timber supplier when other finance providers were unwilling to fund their debtor book.
Background
Originally formed in the mid-1970s, Bayram Timber is a market leader in the provision of bespoke timber products, largely supplying Scandinavian softwoods to the UK caravan manufacturing market, as well as to garden building manufacturers and fencing contractors.
The company had always had an Invoice Discounting facility in place. In the midst of the credit crunch in 2007 its incumbent finance provider advised Bayram Timber that it was no longer willing to fund any of the debts it held with its caravan customers. As this represented around three quarters of the company’s debtor book, it left the company with a serious cash flow problem.
The decision was therefore made to begin looking for an alternative provider.
Problem
Unfortunately, due to the economic conditions at the time, none of the main business bank lenders would consider taking on the company’s debt and, of the three or four offers that Bayram Timber did receive, none was considered adequate to meet its needs.
By this point demand from the caravan sector had collapsed and the company was now in danger of running out of funds within a matter of weeks.
In March of 2008, however, one of the company’s accountants mentioned Skipton Business Finance.
Solution
Greg Bell, Skipton Business Finance’s Managing Director and Andrew Hill, its Operations Director, carried out an initial survey. Within a week, confident of the company’s ability to turn around despite its current circumstances, they made a firm offer.
Only two weeks from making initial contact, a £1.5 million facility had been sanctioned and Bayram Timber’s original provider paid in full.
Result
Bayram Timber’s business has gone from strength to strength; its turnover has grown from £12 million to £22 million and the Invoice Discounting facility has grown with it.
According to Ian Jordan, Bayram Timber’s Financial Director, this growth wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Skipton Business Finance.
“Skipton Business Finance took a chance on us when others weren’t willing. We couldn’t operate without them,” he says.
“We considered a number of different providers. Some of them may have offered a cheaper service, but it’s all about the service and the relationship. Ten years on and their support is still invaluable. Skipton is able to recognise a potential problem before we do; they can make decisions themselves and give us the prompt response we need.”
About Skipton Business Finance
Skipton Business Finance provide businesses with working capital through flexible Invoice Finance solutions, including Invoice Factoring, Invoice Discounting, My White Label and our interest-free Skipton Select solution. We can provide working capital to a business by advancing funds varying from £25,000 up to £5m.