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Dyrhoff: rides the wave of international success with UK Export Finance backing
The Kent-based business secured its largest ever contract after a $475,000 support package from the government export credit agency.
Dyrhoff is a world leader in the design and supply of inflatable rubber dams and spillway gates for flood control and water management. Based in Folkestone, the company has more than 30 years experience supplying bespoke solutions for everything from major engineering projects to smaller hydropower applications.
The majority of Dyrhoff’s business comes from overseas contracts. It has contributed to projects in more than 33 countries so far, including Europe, the US, Canada, Asia and Africa.
The challenge
Dyrhoff recently won a contract to deliver two pneumatically operated spillway gates for a flood protection project in North Dakota. Although the company is a seasoned exporter, it needed financial support to meet the bonding terms required.
The US is a key growth market for Dyrhoff. Local governments have installed dozens of inflatable dams over the past decade as their cities struggle to deal with flooding.
The North Dakota project was one of the company’s most significant to date. But without the right bond support, Dyrhoff’s working capital would have been tied up for the contract’s duration, affecting its ability to deliver on other commitments.
The solution
UK Export Finance (UKEF) was able to help by guaranteeing a $475,000 finance facility to be issued by NatWest. This reduced the requirement for cash security and enabled Dyrhoff to meet the bonding terms.
UKEF’s General Export Facility (GEF) scheme helps SME exporters from all sectors access more working capital to scale up their operations. In the financial year 2024 to 2025, British SMEs accessed over £576 million in working capital loans through this initiative.
The impact
The financial support provided by UKEF allowed Dyrhoff to secure its biggest deal so far. On the back of that growth, the business is now planning to expand its workforce at its manufacturing base in Folkestone so that it can continue to explore exciting opportunities in the US and beyond.
By assisting us in winning such a significant project for the business, UKEF support has set us up to carry on building momentum in key markets like the USA. Despite economic uncertainty in the market, we are now well placed to use this project as a springboard for success.
Support for your company’s general export business activities
Designed with SMEs in mind, our General Export Facility provides guarantees to lenders where finance is not tied to specific export contracts. It covers a range of facility types to support a company’s general exporting activities.