Growing roofing manufacturer thanks Rosebud Finance for 'unwavering' support
Specialist roofing manufacturer, Centaur, has expanded its operations and manufacturing capabilities.
A long-standing customer of Lancashire County Council’s business loans provider, Rosebud Finance, Centaur originally secured a £250k loan in 2013 to help establish the company.
Launched in 2012 after two years of extensive research and development, Centaur manufactures cutting-edge liquid roofing systems. Committed to futureproofing, the resulting product is non-flammable, non-toxic to the environment and ultra-low odour.
When initially starting up the business, Jeremy Gorick and Phil Richardson sought financial support to help fund the growth of the company and development of the technology. After assessing the options available, they were drawn to Rosebud as a local lender, and secured a £250k loan. Since then, the teams have worked together to advise on and support business expansion.
Since the initial support, Centaur has grown from a team of three, based in a small unit in Leyland, to a 26-strong and growing team of experts in a purpose-built new factory in Preston. The move to manufacturing enabled them to benefit from the economics of scale that ‘own manufacturing’ brings.
With intensive investment in the new unit, including the machinery, Centaur is now one of the most automated polyurethane production plants in the world, with its products sold nationwide and across Europe.
Phil Richardson, co-founder and managing director at Centaur, said: “Our aim has always been to be the safest roofing waterproofing system of choice for architects, surveyors and contractors alike. With the innovations in technology that we have developed and launched we are within touching distance of achieving our long-term goal.
“The funding we received from Rosebud early on, and the team’s ongoing, unwavering support has been pivotal to helping us on this journey. We look forward to continuing to work with the team in years to come.”
Jonathan Nelson, fund manager for Rosebud Finance at GC Business Finance, said: “This is a real Lancashire success story, and testament to what businesses can achieve with support early on in their journey.
"Having secured initial funding during the R&D phase, it has been great to see Centaur grow over the years, and how Rosebud can enable ambitious entrepreneurs across Lancashire to unlock this growth.”
Councillor Aidy Riggot, cabinet member for Economic Development and Growth at Lancashire County Council, said: “Lancashire has a truly thriving manufacturing sector, and Rosebud is primed to provide the support that new businesses in the sector need to thrive.
"It’s brilliant to see a business like Centaur, that is world-class in it’s technological innovation, choosing to remain in the region, and benefitting from the support of a local lender like Rosebud.”
*This story was published on behalf of Rosebud Finance, Lancashire County Council’s business loans provider.