Montreal-based apparel company that is proud to design and manufacture in Canada
Thanks to the supportive team at BFS and their back-office services, at the time we became self-funding our collections were caught up and we were able to start with a clean slate.
-Jen Zaby (Head of Operations, Miko International.)
- Product: Factoring
- Location: Montreal, Canada
- Industry: Apparel Manufacturing
CHALLENGE
The leaders of Montreal-based apparel outfitter Miko International believe in the potential of small business to drive the local economy. The company demonstrates its commitment to supporting the community by designing and manufacturing all of its garments in Canada instead of outsourcing to another country to cut costs. Like most companies in the cyclical apparel industry, Miko International needs cash flow to pay suppliers and contractors while waiting to collect accounts receivable from often slow-paying customers. The company struggled to find a lender with the flexibility to address its financing needs.
SOLUTION
After a year of unsuccessfully pursuing traditional financing from a bank, Miko International contacted Bibby Financial Services (BFS) for factoring services. BFS gave the company an opportunity for growth unmatched by other lenders by providing a flexible factoring facility with room for expansion as the company grew. The high-touch customer service and rate of speed in which BFS provided funding met the company’s needs perfectly. BFS’s ability to provide Miko International with recurring funding, often multiple times a week, was extremely beneficial and a driving factor in the company’s success.
RESULT
Miko International more than doubled its sales while engaged with BFS. Working with BFS also afforded the company the opportunity to expand its presence in the United States. With a solid credit rating and increased sales and production, the company was able to obtain traditional financing and recently transitioned to a partnership with a bank.