Funding package helps metal cutting firm join virus fightback

A Sheffield-based metal cutting business is meeting the challenge of producing new ventilators with the support of a funding package from HSBC UK.

Charles Day, established in 1977, provides flame, plasma, waterjet, and laser cutting services for a range of sectors, including nuclear, oil and gas, rail and road transportation, and medical. It currently employs 49 people.

With the backing of HSBC UK, the business has strengthened its financial resilience, ensuring it has the capital to meet a surge of new orders for ventilator components from UK-based manufactures and to insulate itself from changes in the market.

The business, which has been able to remain operational throughout lockdown, usually produces an unlimited range of metal products dependant on the customers’ needs.

However, Charles Day is now collaborating with ventilator manufacturers on several working prototypes, producing the intricate baseplates that form the frame of the machines.

In addition, the business has started producing antimicrobial copper door panels for workplaces, using copper’s natural antimicrobial properties that kill viruses in a matter of hours as opposed to days on other materials.

This is intended to help keep premises safe for those returning to work.

Charlie Day, sales and business development director of Charles Day, said: “We’re a third-generation family business.

“With all that experience comes the understanding that resilience, particularly financial, will allow us to react quickly to a fluctuating market. The funding from HSBC UK has given us this ability and the confidence to meet the demand for completely new and constantly changing prototype products in a very short period of time.”

David Leonard, relationship director for corporate banking, South and East Yorkshire, HSBC UK, added: “We’re proud to be supporting such a dynamic Sheffield manufacturer as it joins the national effort in defeating COVID-19.

“Providing Charles Day with this funding will enable the additional capacity needed for the business to meet the complex requirements of its clients and protect jobs.”

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