Keeping business moving when funding falls away

International Door Controls (IDC) has been supplying high-spec door hardware for over 60 years. Based in Stourbridge, it sources and distributes everything from closers and panic hardware to hinges, handles and other door furniture. It is the UK distributor for Ryobi Door Controls and also imports its own branded range from overseas suppliers. Still independently owned and run by Derek Hart and Nick Turner following a 2005 management buyout, the company has a close-knit team and a long-standing customer base in the commercial construction sector.

In 2024, IDC was told its lender of 12 years would be withdrawing all UK asset-based lending. That left the team with just four months to replace both its confidential invoice discounting facility and a stock finance line. It was December – one of the most challenging months for pushing through deals – and the stakes were high. IDC needed a lender who could handle both types of facility and was willing to support a smaller business.

“There aren’t many lenders who do stock finance,” said Derek Hart, joint managing director at International Door Controls. “And a lot of the ones that do are only interested in deals of a million pounds or more. That wasn’t us.”

Derek was introduced to Stef Radymski at Evolve Business Finance by the original lender’s relationship manager. From the first call, Stef was calm and clear about what was possible. He quickly got to work gathering information and building a funding proposal. He brought in lenders who could move fast and understood the nature of IDC’s stock and customer base. The business went on to complete a new invoice discounting and stock finance facility with Cynergy Business Finance – and even managed to raise more stock funding than it had before, allowing it to repay an outstanding loan and free up future cash flow.