Testimonials
Peoplemovers (East Anglia) Ltd
Mark Harvey, Managing Director
Peoplemovers is a Norwich and Norfolk based family run coach and minibus business with over 30 years industry experience.
For the last 3 years we have worked with Tim Burrell of B2B Cashflow Solutions to meet our funding requirements.
Having recently tendered and won several Norfolk County Council school transport contracts we needed to expand our fleet over the summer.
Tim has always managed to find the right funding solutions for our company, and B2B had the finance in place within days for all of our purchases, including vehicles of all ages!
Timing was critical as I was about to go on holiday and needed to collect the coaches on my return for my new contracts.
Documentation was quickly and efficiently completed so I could enjoy my holiday knowing that the dealers would be paid out the day of my return.
I have no hesitation in recommending B2B and look forward to working with them in the future.
For all your transport requirement please visit Mark on www.peoplemovers.tv
Diana Collins
Consumer
“I am a delighted customer, for the 2nd time.
B2B have again come up with a cracking deal, arranging the collection of my old vehicle and delivery of the new one to my door.
They are refreshingly friendly to deal with, they took care of all the paperwork and hassle of buying a car leaving me to simply enjoy the driving experience.
And all on very competitive terms.
I would fully recommend their services.
ILPRA Systems UK Ltd
Brian Donoghue, Director
“Established in 1955, ILPRA are Manufactures of an extensive range of Food Packaging Machines.
As manufactures, our machines can be tailored in-house to meet not only the wide range of food packaging machines requirements of our diverse client base, but also to satisfy a number of non-food packaging machine requirements including those of the cosmetics and pharmaceutical medical industries.
ILPRA UK focuses 100% on ILPRA products and is able to offer advice and suggestions gained as a result of many years of experience. We are also able to offer a very wide range of consumables such as trays and films to suit numerous applications.
Many of our customers require finance at point of sale to assist with their equipment acquisitions, and to meet these tailored financial needs for individual customers we need a flexible and effective financial partner.
B2B Cashflow Solutions are simply that. Independent and privately owned the ‘B2B’ team offer a skilled and efficient sales finance support process delivering high levels of resource, feedback, and ultimate conversion of financial solutions to our business customers, which in turn enables us to focus on what we do best.
Our relationship with B2B Cashflow Solutions has developed into one of mutual trust and co-operation, and we would not hesitate to recommend them to other UK manufacturers and suppliers of plant and machinery who may be seeking to enhance sales with well packaged tailored financial solutions, delivered by a friendly and committed finance partner.”
Visit our website at www.ilpra.co.uk
J & R Builders (Norwich) Ltd
Bob Kean, Managing Director
“With 30 years experience in commercial and residential property development I was becoming frustrated at the lack of available funding for my ongoing commercial development at Risby Business Park.
I have enjoyed an extensive track record for borrowing and repaying development finance with several banks and mortgage lenders over many years which recently included the purchase of the land, and completion of the first of eight phase builds at Risby Business Park.
Despite this track record the second phase build was unable to progress due to the ‘restrictive lending policy’ recently employed by the banks. My own efforts to attract funding had repeatedly failed.
B2B Cashflow Solutions were recommended to me and worked as my Management Consultants for 9 months to develop a strategy, package the credit application, negotiate with the banks and other specialised lenders, and ultimately deliver the required funding.
B2B guided me through every stage to ensure my project was structured to meet the challenging criteria and while we had several setbacks within the process, B2B were able to adapt and evolve my proposition to attract a new banking partner committed to working with me in delivering the project funding and beyond.
Even after the paperwork had been completed and contracts signed B2B continued to liaise between me and my bank to deliver funding on time.
The first tranche of funding under QS certification was delivered on 20th May with a further three tranches scheduled to complete the project by the end of July
I am already discussing my next building project with B2B and look forward to continuing my relationship in the future.”
Interested in commercial property at Risby Business Park? Visit http://www.risbybusinesspark.biz
Impression Coach Travel Ltd
Aled Evans, Managing Director
“Having spent the most of my working career as a Holidays and Tours Manager for a large UK Coach Tour Operator I identified an opportunity to establish my own business through the purchase of a smaller, independent tour operator whose owners had decided to retire from the industry.
B2B Cashflow Solutions were recommended to me by my insurance brokers, Alan Boswell Group, and I engaged their services to raise funding to compliment my own capital investment in acquiring the assets and goodwill from the vendors.
As a ‘new-start’ business requiring significant investment capital the process was not without its challenges, however the B2B team worked with to help me prepare my case before they secured the required funding.
Once the finance had been secured ‘B2B’ arranged for my business bank account to be opened without a hitch, and continued to manage the various complications associated with the acquisition which included assisting the vendors to meet their responsibilities within the process, liaising with my insurers and the solicitors of both parties, and managing the outstanding finance settlements on the subject coaches.
The entire process took over 5 months and ‘B2B’ supported me throughout to help me achieve my acquisition objectives. I am now fully operational and looking forward to developing my own business in my own way.”
Why not book a trip at www.impressionholidays.com
Clive Maskell (FD)
Watton Produce Company Ltd
Clive Maskell (ACMA), Finance Director
“In order to keep our site costs down and remain competitive in a very challenging environment we indentified a solution to reduce our high water usage in our primary wash on site by recycling, the system would also guarantee that we wouldn’t fail on any consent levels in respect of BOD or COD’s. The system we indentified was a £229,000 Mitsubishi membrane bioreactor system which was state of the art provided by a sole UK agent who managed the project from procurement, manufacturer, import, installation and commissioning.”
However, we were immediately confronted with issues of funding due to the combination of high uncertainty within our business sector, a reluctance of banks to provide funding to support investment and also issues that arose due to the nature of the system we required being in its infancy.
After exhausting our normal channels of funding from our bankers we turned to Nick Flower at B2B Cashflow solutions, Nick had successfully sourced and provided funding for our business previously. Nick worked extremely hard to overcome a number of hurdles thrown at him and holding a series of meetings with finance houses to secure the funding we required”
The service provided by Nick didn’t stop there – he liaised between the lease company, Watton Produce and the manufacturer to ensure that the transaction and paperwork went through smoothly without hitch.”
The directors of Watton Produce will not hesitate to use B2B in the future or recommend them to any of our contacts”
Visit Watton Produce at www.wattonproduce.co.uk
Adrian & Sally Phillips are congratulated by Simon on the opening of their new business
Aleks Jewellers
Adrian & Sally Phillip, Owners
After many years in varied and successful careers, including the development of a retail jewellery business in Essex, we sold our former jewellery business and our Essex home to enjoy the ‘way of life’ which Norfolk has to offer.
Over the subsequent four years we have never discounted the opportunity to acquire an appropriate ‘life-style’ business, and when ‘Aleks Jewellers’ became available we duly declared our interest.
During early discussions it became clear that the negotiation and acquisition timescales required by the vendor would be challenging, and for these reasons we decided we needed professional support for the project.
Julian Barnwell, Director, Barnwell Print Ltd, a friend of ours with a long-term working knowledge of Simon Reynolds at B2B Cashflow Solutions, recommended we use ‘B2B’ as our project consultants.
After the initial information gathering meeting, ‘B2B’ advised they could deliver the appropriate funding solutions on time.
‘B2B’s’ undertaking complimented by Julian’s referral convinced us to appoint ‘B2B’ as our consultants to project-manage the financial process.
Alternative ‘acquisition finance’ and ‘core business-banking’ packages from two commercial banks were duly delivered within days and after ‘B2B’ subsequently challenged the ability of both banks to deliver ‘on-time’ we opted to progress with RBS/NatWest as our banking partners.
‘B2B’ continued to work with our appointed bank on our behalf to deliver the funds and complete the acquisition within the required deadline.
I am a great believer in the term “horses for courses” and having Simon’s professional team behind us took away the pain of having to find business finance in a particularly tough economic climate. Simon’s attitude was positive and honest throughout, obstacles were identified and addressed at an early stage leaving no nasty surprises. We will always be grateful to Simon and his team for their help and support.
Visit Aleks Jewellers at 50 London Street, Norwich.
Terry with his pride and joy!
Terry Seaman Transport
Terry Seaman, Owner
'I established my business in 1978 and over the past 30 years I have been a regular user of third party funding to acquire commercial vehicles and trailers within my ongoing growth and replacement programme.
During this time I have enjoyed working relationships with a number of commercial finance companies, intermediaries and individuals.
My relationship with Simon Reynolds of B2B Cashflow Solutions has out-lasted many of these, and I have worked with him within his various financial roles for over 20 years. His understanding of my operation within the ‘seasonal’ agricultural haulage industry has enabled me to structure the finance to optimise ‘cash-flow’ benefits when acquiring ‘capital-intensive’ assets from time to time.
I am well-known in the commercial vehicle industry regarding my ‘passion’ for the ‘FODEN’ brand, and until production of this famous marque ended in 2006 I took a great deal of pride in my Foden fleet.
Indeed I secured the last official Foden unit to leave the production line in 2006 through finance delivered by Rachel Gee.
I am pleased to note that Rachel joined the ‘B2B’ team at the beginning of 2010.
Subsequently, (and not to be undermined), Simon delivered the finance for the last Foden ever sold by Paccar UK Ltd.
Built in 2002, this unit was retained by Paccar as an ‘exhibit’ for around eight years until early 2010 before I finally persuaded them to part with it.
‘B2B’ placed the finance, however as Simon pointed out, the age of the vehicle in relation to Paccar’s asking price for its ‘prized’ possession made appropriate funding more challenging!
Aside from ‘core’ asset finance, I often contact ‘B2B’ whenever I need independent guidance or advice. They are always straightforward, and occasionally humorous!’
Visit Terry Seaman transport at: www.terryseamantransport.co.uk
Portia Howard in competition
Equestro Bed Ltd
Tim Howard, Managing Director
'I have owned and run my own businesses for many years however my spare time is spent managing horses and supporting my daughter within equestrian competition at a high level all over Europe.
In working with horses I have developed a long-term knowledge of the industry which helped me to identify a significant shortfall between supply and demand for premium quality equestrian bedding derived from ‘clean’ wood shavings specifically manufactured to meet existing and forthcoming legislation.
Having approached my bankers they recommended I employ Larking Gowen Chartered Accountants to help write my business plan on the completion of which I again approached my bank, and two others.
However my ‘start-up’ status combined with the substantial level of commercial investment required (around £500,000), to compliment my own significant investment continued to prove challenging.
After several weeks of difficult negotiation I was introduced to B2B Cashflow Solutions Ltd, and within a week they had secured the full funding needed through an alternative banking partner.
‘B2B’ partnered me at every step of the process, also meeting with my existing bank, and another I was already in negotiation with to ensure that all existing avenues had been exhausted before we finally appointed the bank they had introduced.
With key funding in place ‘B2B’ set about seeking grant funding facilities, introduced me to an independent ‘point of sale’ credit card services company which I have appointed, and supplied my new business car on Contract Hire.
I am now looking forward to developing my new manufacturing business and I am confident that it will be a great success!
B2B Cashflow Solutions proved to be instrumental in delivering this opportunity.'
Visit Equestro Bed at: www.equestrobed.co.uk
Linkx Systems Ltd
David Hayward, Director
“Our business met the team from B2B Cashflow Solutions at a local business event and we realised during our discussions that they may be the perfect partner to review our funding structure.
As a young engineering business spending significant resource on R&D to develop and manufacture our range of packaging machines for the UK and world markets we had reached a stage where our existing funding support and cash cycle were insufficient to meet the supply terms imposed on us by our key, multinational customers.
B2B Cashflow Solutions worked with us to understand where additional funding was appropriate and secured re-banking offers from two banks, one of which is now fully implemented with significant additional funding delivered through a ‘hands-on’ proactive banking relationship.
B2B Cashflow Solutions also secured unsecured loans to our business and identified potential grant funding.
They have continued to support us with work on a bespoke Invoice Finance package, and we have also used their services to ‘sanity check’ other third party specialist financial services.
I would recommend B2B Cashflow Solutions as a professional and experienced team who understand the financial challenges a business faces, and deliver effective solutions&lquo;
Visit Linkx Systems at www.linkx.co.uk
Norfolk Capacitors Ltd
John Murfitt, Managing Director
'Re-location to larger, purpose built business premises is paramount to our continued global business development.
In seeking a funding partner to facilitate a fairly complex, stage payment development mortgage to fund the multiple-phased build of our new factory and offices we appointed ‘B2B Cashflow Solutions’ as our finance consultants for this project.
B2B worked with us and our accountants over several months to gather and prepare the information before presenting this to a selection of their commercial mortgage partners.
Despite the challenge of finding a commercial lender with an appetite for development mortgages in the existing financial climate, B2B’s efforts have introduced our team to a bank relationship which offers a meaningful potential alternative to our existing bank.
The benefit of ‘choice’ to our business derives from the ability to compare service and pricing.
Incidentally I also funded my new car through B2B who managed the paperwork, insurance and payment to the supplier while I was in India on business'
Visit Norfolk Capacitors at: www.norfolk-capacitors.com
Jazza Gifts Ltd
Jill Rackham, Director
'In the current climate it is tough to get a new business off the ground, particularly one in retail, I was delighted that Ian Hart of B2B Cashflow Solutions was so positive and helpful in arranging finance for the shop fit-out of our new store on the Lower Ground floor in The Chapelfield Shopping Centre, Norwich.
Ian came out to see us, taking the time and trouble to really understand our plans and needs and rapidly set about finding us the right finance that enabled us to launch the new store and open on time.
We would have no hesitation in recommending Ian and B2B Cashflow Solutions; they really do 'work with you, for you'
Jazza Gifts closed its retail outlet towards the end of 2009 to focus on web-based sales at: www.jazzagifts.co.uk
Aquanos Ltd
(formerly Oceanteam 2000 Ltd) - Isabel Day, Managing Director
‘With previous experience of Simon’s track record in facilitating finance within our offshore sector, we appointed ‘B2B Cashflow Solutions’ as our consultants to identify lending partners which would compliment the ongoing support from our bank in funding the acquisition of sub-sea Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV’s).
The key challenges in attracting funders included the working locations of the units (including the Gulf of Mexico), the emerging international structure of the group (Norwegian parent), and the significant cost of each unit (around £500k).
‘B2B’ delivered funding through a choice of ‘prime’ lenders, on time, on each occasion.’
Barnwells Print Ltd
Julian Barnwell and Lincoln Barnwell, Directors
‘Within our continuing expansion plans we identified an opportunity to purchase freehold commercial premises from another printer costing well over £500,000. We also needed to retain our existing freehold premises with projected rental income from these a key factor in our debt servicing model.
‘Having dealt with the directors of ‘B2B Cashflow Solutions’ over many years we had no hesitation in appointing them to act on our behalf in attracting three business banks to compete with our existing bankers. ‘B2B’ worked hard behind the scenes negotiating with all the banks to ensure we received the full benefits of healthy competition.
One of ‘’B2B’s’’ banks proved to add the greatest value in financial and relationship terms, and we subsequently accepted the mortgage offer and also transferred our business banking facilities over.’
Visit Barnwell Print at: www.barnwellprint.co.uk
Seriously Responsible Print Ltd
Paul & Christina Youngs, Directors
‘In setting up our new business we ordered a new digital press and ancillary equipment. Our suppliers were unable to secure funding on our behalf due to our ‘new-start’ status and the relatively poor asset security, so we approached ‘B2B’ who prepared and presented a comprehensive finance proposal to market.
As a result we were able to finance the equipment using several funders and now enjoy a developing credit status with each.’
Paul subsequently set up Eco Digital Print during early 2010 at: www.ecodigitalprint.co.uk
Case Studies
Case Study One - vulnerable sector
UK Nationwide Furniture Retailer
Our client’s incumbent bank had previously supported in all aspects of the business, including merchant services and asset finance for new store refits.
Bank announces it is "uncomfortable" with this retail sector at present and declines to fund the new Bristol store refit totalling £330k.
Working with our partner Retail Merchant Services (UK's largest independent credit/debit card service provider) we released £300k of cash deposit provision required for this type of facility back into the business.
However mindful of their cash-flow in the current climate the customer wanted to retain this in the business so we also assisted by arranging £220k of asset finance with a non UK high street funder who was willing to take a more pragmatic approach.
Our client was delighted because having always used his Bank for all funding propositions he was unaware of the alternatives. We were able to re-negotiate his merchant services facility through our partner RMS and release valuable cash-flow back into the business, (additionally reducing ongoing charges), while securing funding of £220k via fixed rate structured debt towards the new shop re-fit.
Case Study Two - change of legal entity and negative equity in assets
Plant Hire Business
A well established small business that had recently changed from a Partnership into a Limited Company, looking for a new ‘yellow plant’ asset and wishing to part-exchange two smaller assets.
The problems faced by the business were their recent change in trading status, and the fact that the part-exchanges had finance settlement figures on them that were greater than the values placed on the assets themselves; negative equity that needed to be addressed for the new purchase to proceed.
B2B Cashflow Solutions recommended taking an unencumbered existing ‘yellow plant’ asset, raising sufficient funding against it to clear the negative equity and thereby offering the client a way forward with their new purchase.
The facility was agreed in 24 hours and B2B Cashflow Solutions managed all the paperwork, dealing with the supplier of the new asset and making sure that the existing assets were settled-off with their finance companies.
This potentially difficult situation was easily overcome and was quick and easy to arrange, leaving the client to focus on maximising their revenues from the new asset.
Case Study Three - historic performance issues and adverse search information
Manufacturer
This client was introduced to us by one of our commercial vehicle dealer partners after their proposals failed to secure funding support from Mercedes-Benz Finance and others.
We visited the client to fully understand the issues which were preventing ‘credit-score’ lenders from offering finance, at which time we identified 5 x CCJ’s in excess of £30,000 lodged in 2005/2006 coupled with an historic loss-making business performance.
While achieving financial support within this scenario is not common, we sought to understand the rationale and to mitigate the various issues.
Subsequently believing this business to be fundamentally sound with an improving performance we worked with our client and their accountants over a 6-month period to secure ‘satisfaction’ of all CCJ’s and to collate background and financial information in support of a viable credit proposal.
Our protracted efforts and open dialogue between client and prospective funders eventually secured the support of a single lender and the vehicle was ordered.
Our client was happy to pay the inevitable higher monthly premium as the value to his business in securing the much needed vehicle, and re-attaining a credit status was paramount.
Case Study Four - multi layered finance
Coach Operator
Traditionally this client had not found difficulty in obtaining funding because they were buying new or nearly new coaches which are considered good security by asset lenders.
When they wanted to buy older vehicles for local council school contracts, and install on-board CCTV cameras they encountered funding difficulties.
We were able to assist by offering a "multi layered/tiered funder approach". Because we work with a carefully chosen panel of lenders which can facilitate a wide range of funding requirements we were able to:
1) Arrange funding for the CCTV cameras with a "niche" funder that understands the true underlying value of these assets
2) Arrange funding for several of vehicles via a lender comfortable with older vehicles
3) Arrange a "re-finance" package on some of the existing unencumbered vehicles sufficient to allow the purchase of the remaining older coaches.
Whilst we had to go to three funders the client was pleased to deal with us as "one stop shop" solution provider.
Case Study Five - fundraising against existing assets
Groundworks Contractor
A medium sized, well established business needed to raise working capital to be able to fund two large recently-won contracts.
Their incumbent Bankers were at the top of their comfort levels on ‘bricks & mortar’ and debenture security, and were not able to assist.
B2B Cashflow Solutions were called-in to provide a solution, and project managed the re-finance of both encumbered and unencumbered ‘yellow plant’ to generate £350,000 of funding to meet the needs of the two contracts.
No additional security was required for the transaction, which was agreed within 2 days of the initial B2B Cashflow Solutions site visit. The facility utilised was a Sale and Hire Purchase-Back over a 3-year period, matching the revenue stream from the new contracts.
B2B Cashflow Solutions dealt with all the paperwork, even making sure that existing finance was cleared and verified, leaving the client to concentrate on making their new business opportunities a success.
