Proton Group looks to greener future as it secures investment from Finance Yorkshire

The business is targeting £5m turnover this year.

Managing Director Murray Angus said the investment from Finance Yorkshire’s Business Loans Fund will support the company’s growth strategy as it develops new products which are more environmentally friendly.

He said: “The investment gives us a cash boost to invest in our plant and equipment while also working on new products for our customers. He added: “Innovation is important to us, and we have just seen the launch of a new specialist product range that will be used by technicians within the trade, aimed at saving money and time for the brewers.

“We have a focus on sustainability and we are currently pursuing how we can support this both with alternative packaging solutions and less harmful chemicals.”

Alex McWhirter, chief executive of Finance Yorkshire, said: “The Proton Group is a well- established Yorkshire business with a strong track record of innovation and product development which has been integral to its success over the last five decades.

“We are pleased to support the company as it continues to innovate and win new contracts in its target markets.”

Finance Yorkshire’s Business Loans Fund is part of a wider regional business fund which is expected to provide more than £50m to SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) over five years. Investment is also available from its Growth and Seedcorn Funds.

Finance Yorkshire’s regional fund provides flexible investment packages to eligible SMEs based or moving to areas within Yorkshire with ambitions to expand, create jobs and improve productivity.

The fund provides four main products, structured to back businesses through critical stages of growth: Micro-Loans, Business Loans, Growth Fund (loans and equity) and Seedcorn.

Finance Yorkshire’s Growth and Seedcorn Funds are managed by Anticus Partners while the Micro-Loans and Business Loans are managed by FSE Group.

It’s the latest in a series of investments made by Finance Yorkshire in fast growing regional firms this year.

Last month, the Leeds-based Creode Agency revealed it was expanding with a £100,000 investment from Finance Yorkshire.

The digital marketing agency used the investment from Finance Yorkshire’s business loans fund to support its acquisition of Blue Digital, another Leeds agency.

The acquisition will enable Creode to strengthen its service offering to clients across Yorkshire.

The agency provides marketing, brand and website development and digital media support to SMEs in professional and financial services and other sectors.

Creode’s CEO Guy Weston said at the time: “The acquisition complements our offer to clients and strengthens our broader proposition, particularly in the Google Ads and SEO space which is a growing area for us.”