Arbuthnot Commercial ABL delivers £3m funding package to fire suppression specialists

January 21, 2025

Arbuthnot Commercial Asset Based Lending (ACABL) has completed the provision of working capital facilities for Reacton Fire Suppression Ltd and Fireward Limited, a global manufacturer and distributor of fire suppression systems based in Chelmsford, Essex.

Arbuthnot Commercial ABL structured a comprehensive £3m funding package, comprising a £2m confidential invoice discounting facility and a £1m Growth Guarantee Scheme Loan Facility. The extensive funding package will refinance the existing facility and provide additional ongoing working capital support to fuel the group’s continued expansion.

Reacton, founded in 1968 and acquired by the current owners in 2016, manufactures state-of-the-art fire suppression systems from its cutting-edge headquarters in Chelmsford. The company holds 10 industry approvals – the highest among its competitors – and serves global markets including the Bus and Coach, CNC Machinery, and Heavy Plant & Machinery sectors. Fireward, established in 2010, is a leading UK distributor of Reacton’s products, providing installation, service, and support to the mobile plant and machinery sector.

The group has demonstrated impressive growth following product commercialisation and investment in approvals and certifications. The business has enhanced its management team and is well-positioned in a market showing strong underlying growth.

Sam Malins, Group CEO of Reacton Fire Suppression Ltd and Fireward Limited, said: “Arbuthnot instinctively understood what we needed to achieve and put together a very competitive offer. We have enjoyed substantial growth and we are confident that with the excellent support of Arbuthnot we will accelerate our business journey even faster.”

Ed Barnes, Group CTO of Reacton Fire Suppression Ltd and Fireward Limited, said: “Simply put, we are the most comprehensively certified provider of what we do. This is a tremendous competitive advantage. With the new facility in place, we have a springboard to consolidate our global distribution and expand our territories internationally.”

Andrew Rutherford, Commercial Director at Arbuthnot Commercial Asset Based Lending Limited, said: “We are pleased to provide this flexible funding package to support Reacton and Fireward. These companies lead the market with innovative technology, diverse revenue streams, and a strong growth trajectory. Our success in winning this mandate stems from a thorough understanding of their ambitions and crafting a tailored working capital solution that addresses the specific needs of the business. With extensive experience in the fire safety sector, we look forward to supporting the next exciting phase of growth.”

To read more exclusive articles and latest news, see our last issue here.