Working capital aids Jaguar Land Rover supplier fulfil orders

Warwickshire-based iRob specialises in robotics and automation, providing a range of manufacturing services to large scale exporters in the automotive industry.

The company turned to UKEF after securing a high value contract with Jaguar Land Rover to deliver new automated facilities for a range of new models.

UKEF’s local export finance manager Jane Cooper worked with Barclays to put a working capital facility in place that would allow the company to buy materials and pay staff while retaining cash in the business.

UKEF were even able to help extend the payment deadline after COVID-19 led to factory shutdowns and inevitable changes to the project timelines.

Managing director, Giles Oberheim says the impact of the support has been transformational. He said: “This support has been the difference in being able to deliver this project and not. We wouldn’t have been able to do this alone without the support of both UKEF and Barclays. Barclays and UKEF worked tirelessly to get us going. We fully intend to carry on expanding as a business and see UKEF as a key part of our future.”

Jane Cooper, UKEF’s export finance manager, added: “UKEF’s mission is to ensure no viable UK export fails for lack of finance from the private sector. That mission remains the same in all economic climates. I urge every UK exporter who is concerned about their ability to continue trading overseas to look at how UKEF can support them through the pandemic.

UKEF www.gov.uk/uk-export-finance