Member Article

Halifax glass manufacturer secures £250k in new business with trio of finance support

A Halifax manufacturer secured eight contracts within the first four days of trading following support from a trio of business and finance support agencies.

Performance Glass, which specialises in manufacturing fire-resistance rated glass sheets in timber and steel frames, has hired two staff members and secured £250,000 of new business after receiving advice and funding from the regional Business Enterprise Fund.

Steve Wilson, director of Performance Glass went to the BEF after the high street banks turned him down for a loan.

He said: “The banks refused to lend me the start-up funding for Performance Glass but did say that when my business plan was more developed I would be eligible. It was a bit of a chicken and egg situation so I needed support for what to do next.”

Steve attended a business start-up workshop to help his advancement and met independent business adviser Jim Purcell from JP Business Solutions Ltd who helped craft a thorough business plan and referred Steve to the Business Enterprise Fund for funding.

Within days of making contact a £30,000 loan was approved securing a premise in Pellon Lane Halifax, equipment and hiring two employees.

Simon Jackson, Investment Manager at BEF, said: “Performance Glass had the plans in place but just needed extra guidance and financial support to get started. We’re delighted that we could turn the loan around so quickly and that has reflected in the business achieving so much only a few weeks into trading.”

Armed with a concrete business plan, funding and new business contracts Steve contacted Santander for further support and area director of Santander Jonathan Rostron and relationship director, Craig Daniels, helped Performance get the funding.

Craig said: “Steve came to us with a great business plan and a sound operating business. All his jigsaw pieces were in place which has enabled us to support him further through visits and financial support.

“Performance Glass has achieved fantastic things in a matter of weeks so it will be great to see what happens over the next year.”

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