A STRUCTURAL steelwork company has sealed a £3 million finance agreement to help it expand.
BHC plans to use some of the money provided by the line of credit from Royal Bank of Scotland and Lombard Asset Finance to buy two 80-tonne cranes.
Those will help improve the installation and delivery of products at its 50-acre site in Carnwath, South Lanarkshire.
The business, which employs 285 people, designs and manufactures building frames and structures for the agriculture, education and commercial and residential property sectors.
Brian Hewitt, managing director and founder, said: "The solutions offered will assist BHC in the next stage of its development.
"Now we have that facility available to us we can take advantage of opportunities as they arise.
"The purchase of the cranes means we have all our own plant and directly employed people, which keeps everything as slick and as competitive as it can be. We are in control of everything so we don't have to share the profits."
In recent years BHC has installed advanced beam drilling and plasma cutting lines, a world leading 3D structural steel detailing system and spent around £1m on a 2700sq m paint shop.
Other investments in technology and equipment are planned as BHC tries to grow its £32m turnover.
Mr Hewitt said: "Things are difficult but we are working harder and still managing to secure growth. We are fortunate we have a wide variety of loyal customers.
"Margins are extremely tight but we work very hard when we get orders to make sure we get repeat business and keep our people employed."
BHC also plans to take on 10 more apprentices.
Jim McIntyre, regional director for RBS corporate banking, said: "BHC is a fantastic success story; forward thinking and continually investing in development.
"It is important businesses have the confidence to invest in their future and we will do everything we can to build this confidence and provide the required funding for ambitious Scottish companies."
BHC clients have included Balfour Beatty, Carillion, Keir Group, Laing O'Rourke and Morgan Ashurst.
It has provided structures for developments such as the Glasgow Fort shopping park, Xscape at Braehead and the Lagoon Leisure Centre in Paisley.
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