A Lancashire car body refurbishment company is targeting further expansion with the support of a business loan from Rosebud. DA Techs has doubled in size over the past two and a half years and specialises in diamond cut alloy wheel refurbishment as well as body and tyre repair.
It 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. Founders Phil Barnard and Jamie Baxter then opened a physical base for the company in Adlington, near Chorley. The pair were looking for ways to further expand and capitalise on growing opportunities to offer the company'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 bring forward a major contract by developing a repair pod at a national vehicle reconditioning business. They also invested 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. They also work 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 about £500,000 to £1m. Its success has meant that Barnard and Baxter 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. Jonathan Nelson, senior loan manager at Rosebud, added: "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 implemented 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.
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