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Former Team GB swimmer creates jobs in Greater Manchester following NPIF II funding

Press release 03 October 2024

man and woman standing in a fittings showroom

Manchester trade kitchen fittings supplier Fittingsco is growing its team as it aims to increase sales and expand its stock levels.

Located in Chadderton, the firm is being supported with investment from NPIF II – FW Capital Debt Finance, which is managed by FW Capital and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II. 

With an already established range of premier choice for products and service throughout the kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms industry, the funding has already helped Fittingsco welcome an experienced industry specialist to the team and invest in more stock which will further increase sales for the firm.

Fittingsco was founded in 2017 by Dan Briggs, a former Team GB swimmer who started up the business around his swimming training. Fittingsco specialises in furniture fittings ranging from cabinet hinges and drawers to LED under counter lighting.

Operating from Meadowbank Business Park in Chadderton, Fittingsco covers the whole of the UK and overseas, distributing products from manufacturers including DTC, a renowned manufacturer of hinges, runners, and drawer systems and kitchen and furniture accessories manufacturer STARAX. The business recently announced its partnership with Harley & Wager a new decorative hardware brand which is bringing fresh ideas and new designs to the handle market.

The NPIF II investment from FW Capital will make a massive difference to our business and the speed at which we can scale up our operations. The big area of growth is increasing our stock levels, and the full impact will be seen in the new year. We believe it’s important to keep ahead of the market with the latest trends and innovation, ensuring our customers are well equipped to incorporate new products into their portfolio designs. This investment will assist our plans to introduce further new high quality and innovative products into our range. Dan Briggs Managing Director at Fittingsco
Helping businesses to scale up is a key objective of NPIF II and with our backing Dan and his team are making moves to expand further and support their inventory planning strategy. Dan has a very interesting background having set up the business when he was a swimmer training for Team GB. His determination and dedication are qualities he’s brought to Fittingsco and we’ve been impressed by his vision for future growth. This investment means Fittingsco is well positioned for this period of growth and we’re looking forward to seeing how this impacts business revenue moving forward. Thanks also to Nick Chapman from Complete Business Finance who introduced me to Dan. Caroline Turley Investment Executive at FW Capital
Fittingsco is a great Northern business using NPIF II funding to grow, with Dan now planning to expand the team, which will create jobs in Greater Manchester. Dan is clearly a talented individual not just in the pool, but in business as well, as he has clearly identified a fast-growing need for his company’s services, all of which will help driven demand for Fittingsco’s products. It’s brilliant to witness a Northern business using NPIF II to grow and service clients internationally. Sue Barnard ]Senior Manager at British Business Bank

NPIF II - FW Capital Debt Finance can provide loans in the NPIF II area with a primary focus on the North West regions of Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside.

The £660m Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIFII) covers the entire North of England and provides loans from £25k to £2m and equity investment up to £5m to help a range of small and medium sized businesses to start up, scale up or stay ahead.

The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II aims to build on the success of the initial fund, with the purpose of driving sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the North of England.

The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II will increase the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for the North’s smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and help to break down barriers in access to finance. FW Capital will provide debt finance options from £100,000 to £2million to businesses based in the North West of England.

Further Information

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Notes to editors

About FW Capital

FW Capital is a fund management company currently managing UK-based funds of £390.8m

For further information visit FW Capital 

About the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II)

NPIF II is a £660 million investment fund to support the growth of small and medium-sized businesses across the North of England launched in March 2024.

The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II is one of a series of new Nations and Regions Investment Funds launched by the British Business Bank delivering a £1.6 billion commitment of new funding to drive sustainable economic growth.

The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II offers a range of commercial finance options with loans from £25,000 to £2 million and equity investment up to £5 million. The fund covers the entire North of England including Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, Lancashire, Yorkshire & the Humber, Cheshire & Warrington, Cumbria, County Durham, Tyne & Wear, and Northumberland.

It aims to tackle an identified funding gap between the North and South of England and increase the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for smaller businesses.

FW Capital manages the £75 million NPIF II – FW Capital Debt Finance fund, part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II on behalf of the British Business Bank. Finance of £100,000 to £2 million is available to businesses in the North of England with a focus on Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside.

FW Capital is part of the DBW Group one of the UK’s largest SME investors. The DBW Group manages funds of in excess of £1.9 billion For further information on the Group visit https://developmentbank.wales

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