Ultimate Finance launches purchase finance support SMEs in food sector

Typically, businesses are not able to secure funding to support the purchase of perishable goods or raw materials without significant collateral for security. This is a challenge that has had particular impact on the food and agriculture sectors, which have already been hit with a range of challenges such as a weak pound, steep competition and increasing costs of distribution.

This new funding product is completely unsecured; Ultimate Finance do not seek any personal guarantees through Purchase Finance, which many similar solutions would demand. Instead, Ultimate Finance consider the ongoing trading performance of that business.  

Anthony Persse, Strategy Director at Ultimate Finance commented:

“It has never made sense to me that small businesses dealing in perishables and raw materials, such as food, haven’t been able to access funding to grow. We all need food, it’s fundamental to life, and yet those producing grocery items are being stifled by old-fashioned finance set-ups offered by traditional lenders and so called ‘alternative finance’ providers.

“In an age of big data and next generation risk software, there is no longer a reason why financiers can’t offer good funding solutions to any thriving business. We have already seen the positive impact that Purchase Finance can have on an operation during our product pilot, and know that there is huge potential for businesses of all shapes and sizes to benefit from fast, flexible and fair access to funding.”

There are many additional issues faced by small food producers such as unpredictable payment terms from debtors and margin pressure from large retailers.

“Supermarkets and large retailers have long held the strings in the food supply chain,” comments Anthony.

“While they benefit from cash and have the power to squeeze supplier prices, small producers and farmers can often operate hand-to-mouth, without access to better terms. Purchase Finance addresses this by enabling businesses to pay their suppliers directly using a funding line from Ultimate Finance who can pay the supplier directly.”