A FAMILY-owned manufacturing business could double in size during the next two years after securing a £250,000 finance package.
Aintree-based Crystal Fires manufactures gas fires and has won a major new contract with a national distributor.
The deal is with F & P Wholesale, one of the UK’s largest distributors of heating and plumbing products, which has 10 depots nationwide.
To help cover the increased production costs resulting from the new contract, Crystal Fires has secured a £250,000 working capital package from NatWest in Liverpool.
The firm was established 19 years ago by brothers Ian & Chris Connelly.
The duo are confident that new orders and future product development will see the company double its 16-strong workforce and break the £2m turnover barrier within the next two years.
The company designs and manufactures more than 30 different varieties of gas fire at its Aintree base.
Each design of fire is unique and is sold via bespoke fire showrooms and home furnishing retailers across the country.
Chris Connelly said: “To secure this agreement with F & P Wholesale is great news for the company as it will provide a boost in sales and ensures that our products are available to a wider range of consumers.
“We are confident this order and the new products we are developing will help significantly grow the company during the next few years.”
The NatWest business & commercial banking team, based at the Plaza in Liverpool, provided Crystal Fires with the working capital package.
Relationship manager John Howell said: “Chris and Lee have developed an excellent range of products over many years.
“We are pleased to have played a small part in helping the firm secure this order and look forward to watching the company’s future development.”
LIVERPOOL restaurateur Joe Farley is opening a new £650,000 Chinese restaurant in Wigan supported by the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS).
The Wigan project involves the conversion of a disused pub to create the Shanghai Palace restaurant. Mr Farley previously owned the popular Shanghai Palace restaurant in Liverpool. The RBS business and commercial team in Liverpool have provided him with a £350,000 funding package.
