Optima creates jobs with bank's aid

The purchase has allowed Marble and Granite Trading, which operates as Optima Designs, to outline plans for expansion, leading to the creation of three new jobs.

Having previously rented the three adjoining units on the Princess End Industrial Estate, Nicolls Road, the firm is now looking to expand its presence at the site, with the installation of a mezzanine floor to accommodate office staff, as well as the opening of a new on-site showroom.

The expansion of the team will see the company's headcount double from three to six, enabling the company to accept more orders, and continue to realise its growth ambitions.

A specialist manufacturer and supplier of granite, marble, quartz and sandstone products, Optima Designs offers a wide range of high quality products, including work surfaces, tiles, and fireplaces.

In addition to its base in Tipton, the firm also operates a showroom in Station Road, Erdington, Birmingham that is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 5pm and on Saturday by appointment.

Mala Sokhal, managing director of Optima Designs, said: "The acquisition of our premises has been a big objective for us, and will allow us to grow the business whilst also creating new jobs for local people.

"We've enjoyed our relationship with Lloyds Bank for many years, and their guidance in enabling us to complete the purchase of the units has been invaluable.

"We look forward to continuing to partner with them as we look ahead to our next stage of growth."

Rob Taylor, relationship manager at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: "Local manufacturing is proving to be one of the key drivers of economic growth, and it's vital for us to support firms like Optima Designs to reach their potential.

"This is a finance package that underlines our commitment to provide £1billion of funding a year to the manufacturing sector, helping ensure that businesses have the resources they need to play their role in the recovery."

In the 12 months to September 2015, Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking grew its net lending to small and medium-sized enterprises by five per cent year-on-year, or more than £1.5 billion.

It is part of the bank's commitment to grow SME lending by £1bn every year until 2017.

Lloyds Bank has committed to a £5m investment in the Lloyds Bank Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre in Coventry to help train 1,000 new manufacturing apprentices and help address the skills gap across the sector.

Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, which provides expert financial services to businesses of all sizes, is working with UKTI to support the UK's export ambitions and help more companies trade overseas.

It has a network of relationship teams across the UK and offers a range of finance beyond term lending covering import and export trade finance, structured and asset finance and securitisation.