Polybound: Tripling revenue by financing both sides of the cash cycle

The background

From its UK base, Polybound has grown steadily since launching in 2019. What began as a small regional operation has developed into a national distributor with a clear presence in its niche.

The company manufactures and wholesales its own branded tools and equipment, supplies ancillary products and works closely with approved installers across the country. Over time, it has built not just volume, but authority –becoming a recognised name in specialist surfacing systems.

Demand increased quickly, and so did the opportunity to expand. But as the business grew, growth began to outpace cash flow.

Before finding the right solution, Liam admits he felt the pressure of sustaining that momentum. The ambition was there. But the question was how to support that level of growth without stretching the business too thin.

When the ground shifted

In the early days, most suppliers were UK-based and operated on 30, 60 or 90-day terms. Cash flow followed a manageable rhythm.

That changed when Polybound began sourcing higher-margin products overseas – particularly from China. Payment terms shifted dramatically. Instead of credit, suppliers required deposits, stage payments and final settlements upfront.

“Once we started buying from overseas, it was instant payment. That was a big problem. It changes your cash flow massively.” Liam says.

But bridging the gap between paying suppliers and selling stock became increasingly difficult. More capital was tied up earlier in the cycle. The lag between cash out and cash in widened.

Invoice factoring and traditional routes were explored. Time was spent researching alternatives and comparing providers. But none felt aligned with how Liam wanted to operate – flexible, fast-moving and in control. That’s when Treyd showed up.

“From the initial call, it just felt different compared to your traditional banking and invoice factoring. It was more of a personal touch”

– Liam Richards, CEO of Polybound

On solid ground

Liam describes getting on a call with Andres from Treyd, and from the first call having a different feeling from the other financing options out there.  The conversations were direct, personal and clear. There was no unnecessary complexity, just a shared understanding of where the business was heading and how Treyd could support it.

“I can’t speak highly enough of Andres – really, really, really good chap.” says Liam Richards.

Onboarding was smooth, expectations were set clearly, and the delivery matched the promise. Over time, the relationship became a steady part of Polybound’s operations – responsive, straightforward and easy to work with.

“Treyd’s enabled us to get supply payments done quickly, to get the material on the water quickly, and then we can sell it quickly. It’s been a real game changer.”

– Liam Richards, CEO of Polybound

Paving the way forward

Today, Polybound uses both payables and receivables – effectively managing two working capital levers side by side. Liam explains:

“Receivables help us put certain clients on there and draw the money down and the payables help us pay suppliers. So we’ve kind of got like two credit extensions working side by side and it just really, really works. It just suits the business down to the ground.”

In just a few years, the scale of the business has fundamentally changed how stock, suppliers and cash flow are managed. Overseas sourcing continues to expand. Product volumes are increasing. The operational base is stronger.

As Polybound moves into its next phase of growth, working capital will remain a core part of the equation. Treyd’s role is simple: support the momentum and help keep both sides of the cash cycle moving – fast and easy, without painful trade-offs.