SIL Holdings, whose main trading business is Seal International Ltd, the Bradford, UK-based supplier of speciality textile fibres, has received funding from Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) to expand its international trading capability and assist future acquisitions plans.

 

Based at Ladywell Mills in Bradford, SIL was established in 1970 and has since grown to become a well-established supplier of speciality fibres including mohair, cashmere, camel hair, angora, alpaca, silk, yak and wool to customers across the world. The company has offices in Texas, China and South Africa, and in 1994 opened a representative office in Mongolia. Exporting worldwide, the company uses its head office in Bradford to store individual fibres in separate locations within the mill.

 

Andrew Seal, managing director of SIL Holdings, says: “Following the successful acquisition of MB Appleton in 2004, we have sought further acquisition targets in order to strengthen and grow the business in its chosen markets. The additional funding provided by RBS enables the company to meet its medium-term growth objectives. We look forward to building our relationship with the bank in the international trade arena.”

 

Jason Heywood, director of corporate development for RBS Yorkshire corporate banking team, worked on the deal along with Andy Morton, relationship director for the bank.

 

Heywood says: “SIL is a local business succeeding on the world stage. The business operates in a very specific niche area of the textile industry. With a base in Bradford, which employs 38 local people, SIL also has a team, which travels the globe to source the highest quality products. RBS are delighted to have provided additional financial support to SIL at this exciting stage of its growth and future acquisitions should take the business to an extra dimension.”