Wilkinson Star secures loan fund capital

WELDING equipment firm Wilkinson Star has secured a £200,000 working capital loan through the North West Fund.

The business, controlled by Salford City Reds owner John Wlkinson, plans to use the cash to expand its product range and improve stock levels.

It supplies more than 2,500 distributors from a 55,000 sq ft sales and distribution facility in Worsley.

Mr Wilkinson, the firm’s chairman, said: “We have a well-established distributor network and demand for the products we wholesale is strong. Added to this, we’re always expanding our product range to maintain our competitive edge.

“This investment will enable us to ensure we have the right product range and stock levels in place to meet customer demand.”

The loan was arranged through Liverpool and Manchester-based FW Capital which is handling £35m of the European Union-backed North West Fund which has a total pot of £185m.

Simon Berry, senior investment executive at FW Capital said: “Wilkinson Star is a well-established North West-based brand. It has built a large and loyal customer base and its domestic and foreign sales are increasing. FW Capital’s loan will enable its management team to continue growing the business in a sustainable way.”