Scania Financial Services (SFS) supports an ambitious operator's growth plans with a wide ranging, long-term relationship.

Established in 2009, Hawthorns Logistics is a family firm run by husband and wife team Chris and Alison Kilsby.  While Chris looks after the operational side of the business, ensuring the distribution needs of the company's broad spectrum of customers are met day-in, day-out, Alison manages the finances. 

Just a year into operation, Hawthorn Logistics was doing well and looking to acquire a new Scania truck, which brought Chris and Alison into contact with SFS.

"We started out as a single truck operation, but the business developed quickly," recalls Chris.  "Our focus has always been on customer service, and that's the key to our success – people know they can rely on us to deliver their goods, it's as simple as that. 

"When you're building a business the most important commodity is time, and we need as much of that as we can get to make sure our customers are being looked after.  So when it comes to support services like finance, it's really important for us to be able to source the best option as quickly as possible, and there's where SFS score really highly – they give us an excellent deal every time, no question about it.  That means we don't have to mess about negotiating, bargaining and so on, which in turn saves us a huge amount of aggravation.  We really appreciate that kind of service; the relationship is such that we know we can trust the SFS team and because of that we stick with them."

Hawthorns Logistics acquires its trucks via HP agreements which ultimately see the company take ownership of its vehicles.  To provide additional support, SFS is also able to offer VAT deferrals when required to assist the company's cashflow.

With a burgeoning customer base now including clients ranging from frozen product suppliers to automotive part manufacturers, plus regular trunking work for a leading online retailer, between 30 and 40 tractor units have to date been funded for Hawthorn Logistics by SFS.

"I originally thought that SFS only provided finance for Scania trucks," says Chris.  "But when we decided to add 20 refrigerated Chereau trailers to the fleet, they were able to help there as well, which was great and once again saved us a lot of bother.  Now, we're taking six Lawrence David curtainsiders and SFS are providing the funding for them too. 

"So in addition to a great working relationship, SFS also provide a flexible service covering all our finance needs, which is brilliant as it saves us even more time – and I can't stress just how important that is to Alison and I, our business and our customers."