Bank’s backing helps Fergusson get coal where it’s needed

COAL merchant Fergusson Group is stocking up for winter after Royal Bank of Scotland unveiled a “multi-million-pound” finance arrangement for the Stirling-based company.

The firm, which is owned and run by brothers Tom and Alan Fergusson, will receive a funding package from the bank to stoke its working capital, including asset-based lending. It will use the funding to build its winter supplies.

Fergusson Group said: “With the support of a flexible funding package from RBS, we have been given the facility to hold the right amount of stock in the right places, ensuring that we are positioned effectively to fulfil our supply commitments across the domestic and industrial markets.

“The facility will also grow with the business as the nature of our working capital cycle alters throughout the year.”

Fergusson posted a profit of £10.2 million last year on the back of £119m in revenues.

The company operates 13 main depots in Scotland and the north of England and has about 200 staff.

Eddie Rintoul, managing director of RBS Corporate Banking in Scotland, said: “This is the first deal of its kind in Scotland.”