Cash flow sparkles with Ashley
London based Sparkles Cleaning Specialists Ltd started trading in December 2003. After two years in business and more than £20,000 outstanding in unpaid invoices, Sparkles turned to small business invoice finance specialists Ashley Commercial Finance to speed up payment.
Three months ago Sparkles received a marketing fax from Ashley and the cleaning company enquired about the advantages of invoice finance. A sales manager from Ashley went to the Sparkles office to explain and very quickly the cleaning business handed over unpaid invoices totalling more than £20,000 plus VAT. With Ashley’s involvement the invoices were cleared very quickly.
Sparkles started its cleaning business with four staff and now employ 13, with three more to be taken on soon, after the company landed a prestigious cleaning contract with a nationwide chain of estate-agents. Sparkles turnover has more than quadrupled from £18,500 at the end of 2004 to £85,000 by the end of last year.
Josiah Langley, Managing Director of Sparkles Cleaning Specialists Ltd, said:
“Ashley are very efficient. I was discussing with my accountant that the work Ashley is doing for us would cost a lot if we were to pay our own staff to do the job. Ashley’s involvement allows me to concentrate on other sides of the business. Soon, we will be taking on three more staff and we will be moving to a bigger office.
I have been thinking about factoring for a while. I had heard that companies needed to earn a lot more per month than we did to use factoring, but it was not the case. Ashley do their work and the clients pay quicker. Ashley are understanding and their price is so reasonable I would recommend them to everyone. I thought invoice finance was going to be complicated but everything was explained to me and it was quite straightforward and easy to set up.
How the relationship with Ashley works is that we send an invoice and Ashley collects the money. I have a client who uses an invoice finance company and my client tells me that sometimes the invoice finance company fails to collect the money. Ashley has never failed to collect. Sparkles looks forward to a prosperous future with Ashley.”
Managing Director of Ashley Commercial Finance, Jonathan Cranston, said:
“Many companies are strangled by a lack of cash and need someone like ourselves to get things moving. Our services are well suited to small and growing businesses like Sparkles Cleaning Specialists Ltd. They often have to wait many weeks to be paid by the customer, but have to pay wages and suppliers promptly. We can help with cash flow and fund a growing order book more effectively than an overdraft can. We offer the personal touch small businesses need in contrast to high street banks and offer a far more efficient and effective credit control service.”
Ends: 474 words
Sparkles Cleaning Specialists Ltd has more than 20 years cleaning experience specialising in office cleaning and domestic cleaning after events, especially end of tenancy cleans. Sparkles is based in Lewisham in South East London and work across the capital. Sparkles is looking to increase its market throughout the UK. Sparkles offers specialist cleaning services which include carpet, curtain and upholstery cleaning and a cleaning consultation. For more information visit: www.sparklescleaningltd.co.uk
Ashley Commercial Finance is a truly independent invoice finance company, with no ties to banks or other financial institutions. Ashley provides invoice finance for the smaller business (including start ups and turnarounds) across England and Wales. Ashley has offices in Manchester, London, Leeds and Bristol. The company has almost 200 clients with turnovers between £50,000 and £1.5 million. They range from printers to road haulage companies, recruitment agencies to taxi firms, recycling companies to IT organisations.
Ashley provides ongoing finance for a business at up to 90% of the value of a client’s sales ledger, which, coupled with professional credit control makes invoice finance an attractive option for a growing business and a smarter alternative to an overdraft. As the facility is based on a percentage of turnover, the funding available grows with the business. Ashley’s independence and lack of bureaucracy means that funding can be in place for new clients to draw down within 24 hours of receiving sales invoices and at the lowest minimum fee. Full Online Account Access enables clients to obtain account information 24 hours a day.
Unlike many other invoice finance companies, Ashley allows clients to choose which accounts they factor, thus avoiding paying unnecessary fees.
In response to client demand, Ashley launched an asset finance facility in June 2005. This is available for anything from computers, telephone systems and office equipment, through to company vehicles, yellow plant and machinery.
There is a great ‘step by step guide’ to invoice finance and more information about the company at www.ashleyfinance.co.uk
Ashley Commercial Finance is a patron of the National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers (NACFB).
Photos (300dpi plus) and further press information available (including press packs) at Marketing Projects’ web site in the press office for Ashley Commercial Finance at http://www.marketingprojects.co.uk/admin/clients/ashley-commercial-finance/articles/how-to-save-money-and-get-paid-wind-rain-or-shine-2/edit
Press Contact: Jane Harrad-Roberts, Consultant Director, Marketing Projects Email: jane@marketingprojects.co.uk Mobile: +44 7785 395705 Tel: +44 1244 330000 Press hotline: +44 1244 330101
Company Contact: Jonathan Cranston, Managing Director, Ashley Commercial Finance Email: jonathan.cranston@ashleyfinance.co.uk Tel: 0161 741 7407 Direct.
Sparkles Contact: Josiah Langley, Managing Director, Sparkles Cleaning Specialists Ltd Email: josiah@sparklescleaningltd.co.uk Tel: 0800 7837105
Return to Ashley Commercial Finance listings
> Return to Client Press Office
