By Ian McConnell
A KIRKCALDY manufacturer of granite, stone and marble kitchen worktops has secured a six-figure funding package as it navigates the coronavirus crisis.
Granite Systems, which designs, manufactures and installs worktops and sells directly to consumers as well as supplying wholesalers and housebuilders across the UK, has secured the coronavirus business interruption loan scheme funding from Bank of Scotland.
The bank noted many housebuilders supplied by the company, and kitchen studios from which wholesalers trade, had stopped operations as a result of the lockdown announced by the UK Government on March 23.
Bank of Scotland said that, as a result, Granite Systems’ order income “came to an immediate halt” and the firm’s two factories were forced to close temporarily, with the Fife company’s team of 34 staff subsequently put on furlough.
Peter Brown, managing director of Granite Systems, said: “We felt very strongly about paying any outstanding invoices to support our suppliers, allowing us to maintain our relationships with them and be in a strong position for when we return to normal trading. Bank of Scotland provided us with support in just a week.”
Mr Brown added that, without this funding, it would have been likely that the business would have struggled to operate as usual when the lockdown was lifted.
He highlighted hopes of a boost to activity when the lockdown is lifted from a focus on home improvements.
Mr Brown said: “We anticipate a positive increase in activity when we reopen. People are spending a lot of time in the house and are looking at making home improvements. Hopefully this is the silver lining during these challenging times, and we can move forward successfully in the coming months.”
Bank of Scotland noted it had a longstanding relationship with Granite Systems, and added that the funding enabled the manufacturer to “maintain its working capital during lockdown”.
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