Simply Supplies Co. is the latest venture for company KTK within the tattoo industry. In the past, this market had traditionally been covered by ecommerce giants and established companies in the space which lead them to believe they should enter the market in a disruptive manner.

They had the idea to bring tattoo supplies directly to their customers doors in a reliable, convenient service which allows the customer to experience their products in person rather than relying solely on photos. Since opening the business in Northern Ireland, they quickly managed to take over 85% of the business and decided to grow further to bring this service to Mainland UK.

With Credo’s help, they were able to source a suitable low loader van and get passed on finance despite not having the best credit history. Within just a couple of days, they got their finance approval and Credo stayed in constant communication with the dealer to ensure they did not lose out on the vehicle.

Simple Supplies added:

“I have always read these reviews about finance companies and often times thought ‘what can make a finance company good or different’. Well, after dealing with Tony at Credo Asset Finance I can absolutely see why.

We recently travelled from Belfast to Clacton on Sea (approx a 5 hour trip including a flight and long drive) to collect a new van.

We had put in for the finance and despite my initial concerns about having poor credit, Tony was able to get finance passed for us at a good rate within just a few days with one of the main lenders out there.

Once the credit was approved, as we were in a rush to get the vehicle we had mentioned our timeframes and the team worked up until the very last second to get this done and funds transferred to the dealer for us.

At one point, Tony had even volunteered himself to drive 20 minutes with a single piece of paper as the dealer was unable to print it after a mistake had been made and the finance could not be passed until that had been sorted.

Eventually, all paperwork was sorted and the team continued to chase the lenders underwriting team for what felt like every minute of that morning to have it all resolved.

After just a few hours at the dealership, we heard the good news funds were being released and we were free to go with our new van.

To be honest, I don’t think we would be in the position to open our second location without the Credo team and for that all I can say is thank you. As our business continues to grow we will absolutely be coming back and push our other friends their way.

If you need asset finance, just make sure you give these guys a call. You might be surprised at what they can do.

As the business continues to grow, we have already been in touch with Tony at Credo to arrange financing on a second vehicle which I am positive they will be able to assist us through the process of getting it”.

Thank you Simple Supplies for your feedback. We are always here to help businesses wherever we can. You will be given a dedicated Account Manager that will keep you posted the whole way through the process.

Durrant Diving & Engineering Services, based in Great Yarmouth have a highly experienced operational workforce including Diving engineers, Operations staff, Logistics, and Marine engineers who together undertake a vast variety of marine work scopes.

They are currently working on under water wall repairs in Woolwich and have recently completed jobs in Ipswich Marina amongst others, and desperately needed a trailer to undertake some recent works and this is when they called Credo.

Simon Clarke from Durrants said “On dive jobs we need minimum 5 people for H&S reasons and the trailer controls the safety and communications with the underwater team.  We have already converted a van, also financed through Credo, but we needed to add a trailer quickly to ensure we met the demand on our services.

The trailer has now been converted to a dive control centre allowing us to have two teams working at the same time.”

“Credo asset finance have helped us tremendously with vehicle and asset purchases over the years including vans, trailers, equipment and compression chambers. 

Their service has always been professional and efficient allowing us to maximise opportunities and they were instrumental in seeing us through a sticky patch during Covid 19

We rely on being able to contact our client handler Claire at any time for fast efficient quotes and advice for which we are very grateful.” 

We are delighted to help local business Durrant Diving and Engineering Services again to fund their trailer. We work closely with businesses to make sure we can give quick and efficient help when needed the most.

Call us today on 01603 381955 or e-mail [email protected]

It has been a very difficult, and tough, 12 months for many businesses but Credo takes pride in being here to help, support and work flexibly to help you invest and achieve your goals of building for the future.

Lewis Buckley, Business Development Manager, said: “Everything that has been going on in the past 12 months has been a little bit disconcerting for a lot of people and investment in the short term was put on hold.

“What we have been seeing fairly consistently since then is a strong demand for borrowing money and a large number of people looking to invest in their businesses in various elements across the board.”

Credo Asset Finance has been able to help these customers because of the efficient and friendly way we operate, with the quick, decision-making from our own book lending option, and our size and stature in the local market.

“Credo is here to help you, if we can, in your business and we are able to work flexibly. We are having far more conversations with more people over this difficult time and having a better understanding of their business and how best we can help them.

“You have a conversation with us and it is our understanding of your business that can ultimately benefit that business and that remains our key strength.”

One market that is showing encouraging signs is the agricultural sector which is very much business as usual.

“They still have to grow the crops and feed the cattle,” said Lewis.

It has still been tough for farmers but Credo has been there to help them plan for more investment and buying extra equipment, new and used, as they look to the future.

One positive outcome of the Government Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) and Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) has been that smaller and medium-sized businesses have been able to invest in plant and machinery by putting down a bigger deposit, so reducing the monthly repayments of the remaining finance.

The transport and haulage business had also been able to keep doing business and the construction sector, though impacted in the first lockdown, had been less affected in further restrictions so able to keep investing.

And, along with Government initiatives to keep the economy going, that has led to what Lewis described as a ‘trickle-down effect’ to keep some smaller local companies busy and some money going into the local economy on things such as home improvements or a new car.

“No one has got away on holiday so there is a little bit of extra cash in some people’s pockets to put down as a deposit and finance the rest monthly,” he explained.

The market has also been helped by competitive finance rates and good deals from businesses and manufacturers keen to sell products to meet targets and make up for lost trade due to Covid restrictions.

“We have come out of last year fairly unscathed and we are still in a position where we are able to lend to the right business, on the right terms and in the right scenarios. We are still able to lend money to local businesses to help and support what is needed,” added Lewis.

For more information on how Credo can help your business contact us today on 01603 381955 or e-mail [email protected]

Norfolk’s only working watermill has been given a new lease of life, and is really on a roll, thanks to the specialist help of Credo Asset Finance.

Credo played a major role in making the dream of the current owners come true by helping them finance the restoration and install a roller mill and flour separator. Now, flour production has doubled, the range of flours in the shop has expanded, and the owners are working with local farmers to get Norfolk its own oat de-hulling machine to reduce food miles.

The current Letheringsett Watermill was built in red brick with a black pantile roof in 1802.

There had been other mills, going back at least to the Domesday Book of 1086, on the River Glaven site but all burned down.

Although the mill was part of the Letheringsett estate, its grandeur meant that it was regarded as a separate property.

Richard Rouse built the present mill so large so it could house four sets of mill stones. One day it is hoped the mill will house four sets of stones so that it can run at full capacity again.

Michael Thurlow came across the mill in 1987 when delivering animal feed there as, at the time, it was used to store animal feed.

He had served 20 years in the Royal Navy before being discharged for medical reasons after metal poles fell on his legs while at sea. It had been thought he would never walk again but he was nursed back to health by Marion, who became his wife.

They moved to Winterton in Norfolk and, while driving delivery lorries, Michael came across the mill. He was talking with the then owner, the late Mrs Beryl Cozens-Hardy, who said “I just need someone stupid enough to take this mill on and restore it to its former glory”.

Michael, having travelled the world, had seen many countries restoring and maintaining their heritage but, on returning to England, felt part of his heritage had been left to ruin.

He wanted to help keep his heritage alive and took on the task of lovingly restoring Norfolk’s only working watermill. This labour of love brought Marion and Michael to Thornage, a small village a mile from Letheringsett.

The restoration began in 1987 with the mill undergoing a full refurb and brought back to life producing stoneground flours to be supplied to local bakeries and farm shops.

Marion and Michael adopted their two children, William and Michelle, in 1991 and they grew up learning about the mill and enjoying its beauty.

Unfortunately, Michael passed away unexpectedly six years ago leaving the mill in the capable hands of Marion and Michelle. They ran the business together for two years before Marion lost a four-year battle to cancer.

Michelle still runs the mill which is now expanding, bringing it forward and restoring further machinery to ensure it is self-sustaining. Both sets of mill stones are in regular use and the mill can now make its own traditionally separated white flour and roll its own oats and wheat flakes.

Credo Asset Finance had a key role in the mill’s makeover and modernisation by helping it to finance the restoration and installation of the Bamford roller mill and flour separator.

Due to the nature of the specialist equipment needed, it was very difficult for Michelle to get the finance she required. After searching online she was delighted to hear that Credo was able to help.

“The whole process of setting up the finance was so easy. Donna at Credo, who looked after our bespoke finance needs, was so approachable and friendly. She attended for a site visit to see the machinery in action and the whole process was set up and ready to go within a week – no difficult, lengthy paperwork, straightforward terms and conditions and a friendly face to speak with in person rather than just on the phone”.

Following the installation, the mill’s production of flour has doubled, the range of flours within the shop has expanded and the owners are currently working with local farmers to get Norfolk its own oat de-hulling machine so they can the roll Norfolk oats, making the carbon footprint less than 10 miles.

Find out more about this historic and beautiful Watermill by visiting the website at www.letheringsettwatermill.co.uk