Innovative car refurbishment specialist doubles in size with support of Rosebud loan

By Rosebud

16 Mar 2022

jonathan-nelson-phil-barnard-jamie-baxter.jpg

An innovative Lancashire car body refurbishment company has doubled in size over the past two and a half years and is targeting further national expansion with the support of a business loan from Rosebud.

DA Techs specialises in diamond cut alloy wheel refurbishment as well as body and tyre repair and had grown steadily since it was established in 2016 until late 2019.

The company initially offered a mobile service to car dealerships to help them avoid the delays of sending alloy wheels off for repairs before founders Phil Barnard and Jamie Baxter opened a physical base for the company in Adlington, near Chorley.

Phil and Jamie were looking for ways to further expand and capitalise on growing opportunities to offer the firm’s technology around the UK. They were referred to Rosebud by Lancashire’s Access to Finance service.

DA Techs secured an £80,000 loan from Rosebud which allowed it to deliver a major contract by developing a repair pod at a national vehicle reconditioning business, as well as investing in the company’s Adlington base.

Director Phil Barnard said: “The initial loan from Rosebud allowed us to build a semi-permanent repair facility for one of our blue-chip customers in Colchester. We are based on their main site and have two staff operating the pod.”

Rosebud is owned by Lancashire County Developments Ltd (LCDL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Lancashire County Council. It aims to support the growth of Lancashire businesses and the local economy, offering loans between £10,000 and £300,000 as well as high-quality business support.

After opening its Colchester facility, DA Techs has opened several new similar facilities around the UK as well as working with a growing number of customers at its Adlington facility on wheel and body refurbishments.

The business has grown from 16 to 30 staff in total with turnover increasing from around £500,000 to £1m. Its success has meant that Phil and Jamie have created a separate business, Smart-techs which covers the company’s bodywork operations. They are also in the process of creating a third company, Wheelpods.

Wheelpods will allow the company to rent out its pods to a range of organisations including car showrooms who will use their own staff rather than DA Techs employees, with an option to purchase the pod after a fixed term.

Reflecting on the group’s growth to date and support from Rosebud, Phil added: “As the owner of a small business, it’s really difficult to find funding to grow. It’s hard to find people who will listen to your story, understand your business and what you want to achieve. Rosebud wanted to help us when others did not want to.”

County councillor Aidy Riggott, cabinet member for economic development and growth, Lancashire County Council, said: “DA Techs’ growth journey and the support the company has received is a prime example of how Rosebud’s business loans can support businesses in Lancashire.

“The funding will help to support jobs and prosperity both within Lancashire and across the UK, and the income received by Rosebud will in turn help other Lancashire companies in similar positions and support the development of our county’s economy.”

Jonathan Nelson, senior loan manager, Rosebud, said: “Phil and Jamie are true innovators in their field but, like so many innovative businesses, needed funding to capitalise on new opportunities. It is a pleasure to support DA Techs and be a part of their continued growth.”

Rosebud is delivered by GC Business Finance. Businesses in Lancashire’s 12 local authority areas are eligible for the funding: Burnley; Chorley; Fylde; Hyndburn; Lancaster; Pendle; Preston; Ribble Valley; Rossendale; South Ribble; West Lancashire; Wyre.

Latest news

1

Chiptech announces major innovation initiative at high-profile reception with the New Zealand Prime Minister in London. The Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds, the Rt Hon Christopher Luxon and the Rt Hon Steve Reed (L-R Front Row) David Hammond, and Daniel Knowles

Chiptech announces major innovation initiative at high-profile reception with the New Zealand Prime Minister in London.

30 Apr 2025

2

Northstone secures full planning permission for 50 new homes in Edenfield Edenfield housing development

Northstone secures full planning permission for 50 new homes in Edenfield

29 Apr 2025

3

Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction celebrates completion of Dovestone Gardens Dovestone Gardens launch

Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction celebrates completion of Dovestone Gardens

29 Apr 2025

4

PHX Training welcomes new business leader to drive learner success Louise Kirby

PHX Training welcomes new business leader to drive learner success

29 Apr 2025

5

Lidl to invest half a billion pounds in its expansion as it eyes sites in Lancashire Lidl

Lidl to invest half a billion pounds in its expansion as it eyes sites in Lancashire

29 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2
EV-land-2025-05B.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

A night at the races
1.png.png
LBV Hub Dinners / Balls
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

A night at the races

Morecambe FC, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 23:59

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships
30478 Skills Bootcamp open day setting.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships

University of Central Lancashire, Preston , PR1 2HE

14:30 - 15:30

Celebrating 50 years of KTP
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Celebrating 50 years of KTP

University of Central Lancashire , Preston, PR1 2HE

16:00 - 18:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin