Member Article

BEF opens doors for Bradford manufacturing firm

A Yorkshire based designer and manufacturer of commercial aluminium manual and automotive doors is creating new jobs after receiving support from a regional Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI).

Commercial Door Tech Ltd, based in Allerton in Bradford, initially approached CDFI the Business Enterprise Fund (BEF) for funding support to buy transport in March 2011, but after further growth has taken on another loan for moving to bigger premises and recruiting.

Supplying commercial property, schools and hospitals across Yorkshire and Lancashire with alumni external and fire doors, managing director Paul Ellis has grown the operation since starting out freelance in 2010.

BEF offered Commercial Door Tech Ltd a loan to allow the business to grow after Paul was turned down by a High Street bank.

The business is currently in the process of manufacturing for Northern Gas Networks, Accent Housing and Grove House Primary School.

While orders had been incoming steadily since launching in 2010, challenges around cash flow encouraged Paul to approach the Business Enterprise Fund.

Paul said: “The funding we have received from the team at the Business Enterprise Fund has allowed us to take on a new member of staff full time instead of relying on contractors.

“Being turned down by the bank hasn’t prevented us from growing; we have built a strong working relationship with BEF that has been crucial to our success.”

Deputy fund director, Meg Heath, said: “Commercial Door Tech is a great business and we were delighted to support Paul with a further loan to continue his growth.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .