Supporting the next generation of a specialist manufacturer

Industry: Manufacturing

Facility size: €600,000

Product: IDeal

The client

The business is a long-established, family-run manufacturing company based in County Meath, with a history spanning more than 50 years. It specialises in the design and manufacture of point-of-sale (POS) stands for the retail sector, operating in a niche it has carefully developed over decades.

By keeping design and production in-house, the business offers a highly bespoke service to its customers. This approach allows the team to respond quickly to changing requirements and deliver on very short lead times, which is a key reason many clients continue to use the firm. As a result, the company has built a reputation for reliability and flexibility.

The challenge

In recent years, the business has focused on stability over pursuing significant growth because the director was approaching retirement.

That is now changing. The third generation of the family is stepping in and the incoming managing director taking over from his uncle. With new leadership comes a renewed enthusiasm for expansion and modernisation.

The firm has already taken its first steps forward, expanding its offering, investing in its premises, and securing new customers. Over the next 18 months, they aim to grow turnover to €3 million.

However, as a manufacturer heavily dependent on steel and other raw materials, growth requires significant working capital. Ordering in advance and fulfilling larger contracts places pressure on cash flow.

As first-time users of invoice finance, the directors were keen to find a solution that was simple to use and would not add unnecessary administration for their team.

The solution

Close Brothers Commercial Finance provided a €600,000 invoice finance facility using IDeal.

Invoice finance allows a business to access funding as soon as an invoice is issued, rather than waiting weeks or months for payment. This provides greater certainty around day‑to‑day cash flow and gives manufacturers the confidence to invest in materials, people and larger contracts as demand increases.

IDeal integrates seamlessly with the company’s existing accounting software, making the facility straightforward to use from day one. Automatic reconciliation reduces administration and provides clear visibility over funding, which was particularly important for a business new to invoice finance.

The result

With the facility in place, the firm is moving into its next phase of growth with confidence. Increased access to working capital has allowed them to order materials in advance, take on larger contracts, and secure improved margins on higher-volume orders.

The ease of implementation and day-to-day use of IDeal has given the management team peace of mind. With cash flow supported and administration kept simple, the company can focus fully on modernising operations, improving efficiency, and building a strong future for the next generation.