The Crystal Clear Group, based in Letchworth in Hertfordshire, has been manufacturing high-quality PVCu windows and doors for commercial and trade customers since 1988.  In August this year, CEO Martin Randall decided it was time to upgrade his fabrication machinery to improve efficiency and consistency.

Ignition assisted with the purchase of a Supercut 6 Cutting and Machining Centre from Avantek Machinery. Custom built for the UK PVC-U window industry, the technologically-advanced machining centre will serve to increase output, whilst improving workflow and accuracy.   

The new Supercut 6 was financed with a Hire Purchase package as part of the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS), which provides asset backed loans with 12 months interest free. 

Martin Randall comments:

“This purchase demonstrates a significant financial investment in our future. The right equipment will go a long way in helping Crystal to streamline the production process.  We’ve been using separate machines for cutting and machining for decades. With the need to increase production came the need to increase efficiency without sacrificing quality – and the Supercut delivers both.”  

Ignition put the finance in place swiftly, and Avantek was able to deliver the Supercut 6 just two weeks after Martin’s initial enquiry.  The new machine is now set up and ready to go, with staff fully trained to operate it.

Martin Randall continues:

“The fact we could have all this within a few short weeks really swung it for me.  The move to invest in the new machinery will help us manage the increase in demand we’ve been experiencing over the last few months.  We’re excited about the future and ready to rise to the challenge.”

The Gardeners Arms in Alderton near Tewkesbury, is a popular 16^th century freehold pub, offering a range of home-cooked, locally-sourced food.  As for so many in the hospitality industry, lockdown was a very difficult time for the business.  Thankfully, owners Mike and Wendy Wakeman were able to turn to Ignition for help and support when times got tough:

“Over the past few years our business has gone from strength to strength, with the Gardeners Arms gaining a very good reputation for offering visitors an excellent dining experience.  Ignition has helped us along the way providing asset finance on a number of occasions, whether for purchasing new kitchen equipment, or investing in a new till system to support our customer loyalty scheme. We’ve always found their rates reasonable and liked that you could pay off loans early. 

But 2020 has been challenging to say the least!  Lockdown was devastating for us, and even the months leading up to it were bad for business.  February was a particularly wet month with lots of local flooding. Then we experienced our worst takings ever for Cheltenham’s Gold Cup Week in March, with so many people staying away due to the emerging coronavirus threat. Finally, we had to close for lockdown just a few days before Mother’s Day, which is usually our busiest day of the year.

Ignition phoned us straight away to see how we were and to discuss how they could help us with our repayment commitments.  They offered a number of options, which included letting us reduce repayments to half-rate throughout our closure.  This was the best solution for us and made a huge difference to the business, taking away some of the financial pressure.

We furloughed all our staff, other than just four of us, and used the time to undertake refurbishments and painting.  We also started a takeaway service which helped enormously, and since we have a blast chiller, we also came up with the idea of producing and delivering frozen meals that customers could store in their freezers.  This was really popular and provided a welcome service to the local community.

It was certainly an exhausting time, working with very few staff members, handling all the painting, cooking, and deliveries between us, but it kept the business going.

Now we are open again and despite the new social-distancing measures, we are very busy with bookings.  The Eat Out to Help Out scheme has been very beneficial for us, and we have already managed to pay off one of our loans early.

We are so grateful to Ignition. Their help and understanding during this difficult time definitely helped to keep us afloat.  They provide a truly personal service to their customers, building lasting relationships with them, and are always willing to nurture business potential.  It has been reassuring to have their support through good times and bad.”