Supporting Innovation in Advanced Engineering and EV Safety

The Challenge

Hanbury Autogil is a highly specialist engineering business operating at the cutting edge of automated machinery design and precision manufacturing. Based in Newton Abbot, Devon, the company employs around 50 people and works with major global manufacturers including Kawasaki and Siemens.

As part of its ongoing innovation and development programme, Hanbury Autogil embarked on an ambitious two-year Research & Development project to develop a ground-breaking new machine for the electric vehicle (EV) sector. The system is designed to produce complex, fire-resistant insulation panels for EV batteries which is a critical component in improving battery safety and preventing the spread of fire.

This project required significant upfront investment to support cash flow during the R&D phase, while working with challenging specialist materials and highly intricate, multi-stage manufacturing processes that demand absolute accuracy. Securing the right funding solution was essential to ensure the business could continue innovating without constraining day-to-day operations.

The Solution

We worked closely with Hanbury Autogil to provide a £60,000 Government Guarantee Scheme (GGS) loan.

With a long-standing relationship already in place, having previously supported the business with vehicle finance and the funding of a CNC machine, Ignition, part of the STAR Asset Finance Group, had a strong understanding of Hanbury Autogil’s operations, growth plans and specialist engineering requirements.

The GGS loan was structured to support cash flow throughout the R&D phase, giving the business the flexibility it needed to focus on innovation, development and testing, while maintaining financial stability.

Philip Hudson, Project Accountant at Hanbury Autogil, explains:

“This is a significant investment for us and a crucial step in bringing a new and much-needed technology to market. Working with fireproof materials in such a complex sequence is challenging, but the end result will have major implications for EV battery safety.

The support from Ignition, particularly from our account manager Dan, has been invaluable. He’s patient, flexible and always willing to take the time to run through the options to ensure we secure the most suitable terms. We’ve had a great relationship with Ignition for many years, and the process is consistently smooth.”

The Result

With funding in place, Hanbury Autogil is progressing confidently through its R&D programme, developing innovative machinery that has the potential to improve EV battery safety across the automotive industry.

The investment supports the company’s continued reputation for agility and engineering excellence — a capability it previously demonstrated during the Covid-19 pandemic, when it rapidly designed and built the world’s fastest machine for producing PPE aprons in response to urgent market demand.

By providing tailored funding at a critical stage of development, Ignition has helped ensure that this important engineering capability continues to grow within the region, while supporting innovation that could have a lasting impact on EV safety.

Dan Liddeatt, Business Development Manager at Ignition, comments:

“Hanbury Autogil is a great example of a smaller business punching above its weight through skill, innovation and responsiveness. Their work is highly specialist, and the new EV battery insulation project has real potential to benefit the wider automotive industry. We’re pleased to provide funding that supports their R&D phase and helps keep this important engineering capability growing in the region.”

If you’re looking for flexible funding to support growth, innovation or investment in your business, speak to us to see how we can help.