Funding deal helps Reliance target overseas sales

RELIANCE Medical, a trade distributor of medical dressings, pharmaceuticals and first aid supplies, has secured bank finance £1.4m to grow overseas trade.

The Congleton-based firm, which last year opened a manufacturing facility in Shanghai, has agreed the facility with HSBC.

It supplies first aid kits to Bunzl Retail which has distribution deals with the major UK supermarkets and supplies clients such as the London Ambulance Service. It is now looking at supplying own-brand products to retail chains in the UK and overseas.

Managing director Andy Pear said: “Building our own facility has given us greater control over the quality and cost of our products in China and the UK. Following this, we needed a bank with international expertise which could align our banking needs in both countries.

“Thanks to HSBC we are now in a position where we are appropriately funded for growth, and we are looking forward to taking advantage of further exporting opportunities in Asia.”

Lee McCracken, HSBC’s area commercial director for Cheshire, said: “Reliance Medical’s expansion plans are targeted and ambitious and we have been continually impressed with the company’s strong management team and forward-thinking business strategy.”