CBILS-backed loan helps Morecambe tyre trader respond to Covid-19

An international tyre wholesaler has responded to the impact Covid-19 has had on the business by expanding its UK operation, following a six-figure Coronavirus Business Interruption Scheme (CBILS) loan from NPIF – FW Capital Debt Finance, which is part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund.

Morecambe-based Wess Tyre Traders Limited source and trade in the major tyre brands worldwide.  The company also represents several manufacturers from South East Asia shipping to tyre suppliers across the globe including the USA, Netherlands, South America, Australia and South Africa.

FW Capital provided a £225,000 NPIF loan backed by CBILS to fund the expansion of Wess Tyre Traders’ UK operation as the travel restrictions imposed at during the Covid-19 outbreak made it difficult for the company to carry out its business abroad.

The company is now back on track and has recently taken on two new staff taking the total to five. Turnover this year is expected to reach £6m and is on target hit £10m during the next three years.

Owner Andy Wess, who has over 40 years’ experience in the tyre trade, set up the company five years ago.   

He said: “After so many years in the business, I have built up a network of contacts all of the world and spend a lot of time travelling abroad to source and sell products also to oversee shipments. 

“Unfortunately, the pandemic made international travel very difficult, so it was really important for us to increase our presence here as there are lots of opportunities for us to expand in the UK. 

“We’ve just taken on another small warehouse in Morecambe and needed working capital to increase stock purchase and hire two new staff. 

“FW Capital were brilliant to deal with, they have a real ‘can do’ attitude and look for all the reasons they should lend rather than reasons they shouldn’t which has been my experience with the high street banks.” 

FW Capital portfolio executive Alistair Igo added “Wess Tyre Traders is an extremely well-run business. Andy has many years in the industry and really knows his trade well. 

“This funding has allowed the business to change how it operates and there is now the opportunity to build on a strong trading history and increase its sales and profitability.”

Steve Fogg, chair of the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership said: “It is wonderful news to see that another Lancashire business has used the CBILS scheme to the best effect and used the loan to develop its operations in the UK. The pandemic has had an adverse effect on both businesses and people's livelihoods, and it will be some time before we understand the full impact.

"The support packages put in place by Government are an attempt to mitigate some of the effects and it is good to see businesses such as Wess Tyre Traders using them to them to expand and create jobs in the county.''

Sue Barnard at British Business Bank, said: “One of the primary goals of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund is to ensure Northern businesses have access to vital investment that can help them push to the next level, allowing them to purchase stock, create jobs and acquire new premises. It’s been a challenging time for most following the pandemic, so it’s great to see businesses such as Wess Tyres taking the initiative, adapting their strategy, utilizing NPIF loans backed by-CBILS loans and continuing on their growth journey.”

FW Capital provides loans in the NPIF region with a focus on the North West, Cumbria and Tees Valley.  NPIF loans backed by CBILS from £100k - £750k are available to SMEs that are looking for financial support as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.  

CBILS, delivered through British Business Bank accredited lenders, is designed to support the continued provision of finance to UK smaller businesses (SMEs) during the Covid-19 outbreak. The scheme enables lenders to provide facilities of up to £5m to smaller businesses across the UK who are experiencing lost or deferred revenues, leading to disruptions to their cashflow.  

The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund project is supported financially by the European Union using funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020 and the European Investment Bank.