Testimonials and Case Studies
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.'
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 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'
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'
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.’
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.’
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 issue.
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.