merrion street

Originally a plastics manufacturer for windows and showers, Irish Custom Extruders decided to explore production for a new sector in 2000 when approached by farmers about a product for cattle. The company spent five years testing a new plastic mat for use in the winter months to prevent cows from going lame and launched their new product - Comfort Slat Mats - in 2006.

From its base in Ballymun, Slat Mats are custom made for each order and now export to 14 European countries. Looking to break into the US market, the company's managing director Tony Dunne looked to SBCI funding to help grow his business.

Check out this video for more information about the company's experience with SBCI, and why he recommends it to other businesses. 

What is the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI)? 

SBCI aims to provide Irish small and medium businesses with flexible funding by offering: 

• Lower cost funding to financial institutions which is passed on to SMEs
• Flexible products with longer maturity and capital repayment flexibility, subject to credit approval
• Market access for new entrants to the SME lending market, creating real competition

All of these elements create a more competitive and dynamic environment for SME funding. 

SBCI loans are made available to businesses through bank and non-bank financial institutions. SBCI now works with four on-lenders: AIB and Bank of Ireland, and now Merrion Fleet and Finance Ireland. An SME can borrow up to €5m, which is likely to cover the needs of most Irish SMEs.  SBCI’s goal is to facilitate the delivery of lower cost, innovative and accessible funding to Irish SMEs, through a suite of flexible products offered by a wider range of financial institutions than is currently available in the Irish market. 

For more information

Check out Comfort Slat Mats website.

For more information on SBCI, check out their website.