Peterborough manufacturer secured lifeline with coronavirus funding

Rap Industries, based in Welbeck Way, which has 25 staff, secured funding through the government-backed Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS).

Caroline Johnson, director of Rap Industries, said: “Our year was going incredibly well, however overnight our exhibition side of the business disappeared and things came to a stop.

“We’ve got a good grounding and foundations so we were able to withstand it for so long.

“However, when the other side of our business that manufactures office screening and partitioning started being impacted – due to customers stopping any capital expenditure – we had real concerns over operating and decided to pause the business.

“Thanks to the CBIL funding, we’ve been able to help a number of hospitals with partition screening.

“We’ve had to meet some extraordinary timescales, but we have an amazing manufacturing team here and every person in the business is excelling as they want to help in any way they can.

“If we can manufacture something that helps frontline workers, then we are proud as a UK manufacturer to do that.”

The CBILS loan was secured through Barclays.

Geoff McDonald, Barclays relationship manager, who put the funding package together, said: “It’s been very rewarding working with Caroline to provide funds so they can sustain their business through the current crisis.”