The UK has 190,000 logistics businesses, with many of these SMEs; together, they provide £96bn of value to the British economy. The industry encompasses all modes of transport – rail, sea, air and road – and associated warehousing plays a vital role in the storage and timely transport of goods for resale.

Demand looks set to rise for these industries and successful smaller businesses that are looking to forge a sustainable competitive advantage are seeking to invest in their operations. With the future skills gap a key area of concern for logistics drivers in particular, apprenticeships and staff training are a priority. Tightening standards make the fitting of dashcams vital, and the implementation of quality management systems. Businesses are investing in the CRM and logistics managements systems that they need to run an efficient, customer-focused business that minimises waste and helps to maximise margins through a superb customer experience.

This investment requires finance, however, and working capital must be retained for most SMEs as a means of providing security and certainty against the ups and downs of everyday business.

Accessing vital finance

Big banks are still dragging their feet when it comes to lending to businesses; however, specialist finance providers such as Century Business Finance offer an attractive alternative.

Apply online today

Simply complete our online application form for a lending decision within just 24 hours. The funds can then be in your nominated business bank account on the following day. Our process is quick, efficient and designed to be as smooth and hassle-free for our customers as possible.