Established in 2002, GC Business Finance has a proven track record in supporting SMEs. Through our alternative finance products, we help growing businesses, unable to obtain funding through a mainstream lender such as a high street bank, to achieve their goals.
North West precision tooling specialist AETD accelerates growth following NPIF II & SUL investment
NPIF II, Start Up loan
Background
Founded by Thomas Durkin and incorporated in September 2025, Aerospace Engineering Tooling & Defence (AETD) supplies precision tooling to the aerospace and defence sector, while also supporting customers in the food and medical industries. Importing specialist tooling from Germany and the United States, the business is building a reputation as a trusted distributor to manufacturers across the UK.
The Challenge
Having experienced rapid early growth, AETD identified the need for additional finance to support working capital and invest in its long-term development. To prepare, the team first worked with Access to Finance (A2F) to become funding ready, developing a business plan and robust financial forecast.
The business wanted to strengthen its online presence, recruit new members of staff, enhance its operational capabilities and invest in infrastructure that would support future expansion.
The Solution
AETD secured two five-figure loans from the British Business Bank, delivered by GC Business Finance. These included funding from NPIF II – GC Business Finance & River Capital Smaller Loans, alongside investment through the Start Up Loans programme.
The funding enabled the business to:
- Refurbish its new premises in Rossendale, creating an improved warehouse and office space
- Strengthen its online presence
- Recruit new members of staff
- Develop a new customer portal providing online ordering and greater visibility for customers
- Introduce an in-house system designed to streamline internal processes and improve day-to-day operations
- Enhance its operational capabilities to support future growth
Results
Since securing funding:
- Investment is underway to refurbish the company's new premises in Rossendale
- Development of a new customer portal is progressing to provide online ordering and improved customer visibility
- An in-house system is being developed to streamline internal processes and improve operational efficiency
- The business is strengthening its online presence and preparing to recruit additional staff
- AETD is continuing to expand its presence across the aerospace and defence sector
Looking ahead, the business plans to establish a manufacturing facility in Greater Manchester and develop innovative tooling management solutions, including tool kits with enhanced tracking and usage monitoring.
Thomas Durkin, Founder of AETD, said:
"Despite setting up less than a year ago, we've already achieved incredible demand, meaning the business has grown much faster than we expected. Securing the right funding was essential to help us build on this momentum and set strong foundations for the future.
The support from Alison and the GCBF team has allowed us to invest in the areas that will make the biggest difference to our growth, from improving our premises and strengthening our online offering to bringing in new talent and developing better systems for our customers and our team."
Alison Darkes, Investment Manager at GC Business Finance, said:
"Thomas has built an ambitious business serving highly specialised industries with significant growth potential. Despite being established less than a year ago, AETD has already demonstrated strong demand for its products and a clear vision for the future.
The NPIF II funding product will enable the business to invest in its infrastructure, create new employment opportunities and build the systems needed to support sustainable long-term growth. We're looking forward to seeing AETD continue to expand."
Sue Barnard, Senior Investment Manager at the British Business Bank, added:
"AETD is an ambitious Northern business, firmly aligned with the Government's Industrial Strategy and building strong foundations for future growth. Through NPIF II and the Start Up Loans programme, the British Business Bank is supporting businesses to invest in innovation, strengthen their operations and unlock new opportunities as they scale, contributing to economic growth across the UK."
About the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II
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 purpose of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II is to drive 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.
- Operated by the British Business Bank, NPIF II provides a mix of debt and equity funding. NPIF II will offer a range of commercial finance options with smaller loans from £25k to £100k, debt finance from £100k to £2m and equity investment up to £5 million. It works alongside the Combined Authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), and Growth Hubs, as well as local intermediaries such as accountants, fund managers and banks, to support the North’s smaller businesses at all stages of their development.
- The funds in which the NPIF II invests are open to businesses with material operations, or planning to open material operations, in: Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire & Warrington, Cumbria, Liverpool City Region, Leeds City Region, South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority, York & North Yorkshire, Humber and East Yorkshire, Northumberland, County Durham, Tyne & Wear
Supported by Nations and Regions Investments Limited, a subsidiary of British Business Bank plc, the Bank is a development bank wholly owned by HM Government. Neither Nations and Regions Investments Limited nor British Business Bank plc are authorised or regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) or the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Find out how NPIF II can support your business — explore funding options here.
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GC Business Finance