Supporting Rolls-Royce PLC’s site improvement programme via bespoke finance initiatives

Through our longstanding partnership with Carl Zeiss, SAF Solutions was introduced to Rolls Royce to better understand their procurement needs and help facilitate a bespoke finance solution enabling the acquisition of an Microscopy Lab, improving optical performance and quality control with a value of £600k.

Client Brief

Rolls-Royce’s Derby facility has formed part of a multi-million pound investment programme expanding their engine build capacity and creating hundreds of new jobs within the local economy,  As part of their programme of improvement, investment in a high specification microscope lab and ensuring there are opportunities to upgrade and refresh equipment to stay at the forefront of technological advances was key as they seek to address growing global demand for Rolls-Royce powered aircraft.

Members of the SAF team joined their counterparts from Zeiss to attend meetings at Rolls-Royce, working with key stakeholders within the company to understand and agree both technical specifications and the funding options available that would best fit the client’s requirements.

SAF’s solution

SAF’s flexible finance option, via our long-standing ‘Zeiss Rental’ branded finance initiative, was considered to be the most effective procurement route for Rolls-Royce within their continuous improvement programme. A 5-year funding structure enabled the company to improve process analysis, and future proof against technological advances, whilst efficiently managing their cashflow allowing capital budgets to be utilised for other critical improvement projects within the business.

Outcome

The bespoke finance solution required internal sign-off from the hierarchy of Rolls-Royce PLC, with the company being one of the largest engineering companies within the UK and operating on a global scale. SAF’s understanding of their requirements and regular communication with the key project stakeholders was key to ensuring strict timelines were met and that the credit approval and equipment order process was efficient, benefitting both Zeiss as the supplier and Rolls-Royce as their client.

SAF are proud to have worked with two of the most recognisable brands and industry leaders within their field and will continue to support future Zeiss projects with Rolls-Royce as they embark on a period of investment and growth.