Pod firm eyes ‘exciting’ growth

Armadilla, which designs and makes luxury accommodation pods, is hoping to benefit from the global staycation market as it emerges from lockdown with a growing order book, having been buoyed by bank funding.

The family-run business based in Midlothian said it has navigated the economic impact of the pandemic with support from Clydesdale Bank, owned by Virgin Money UK.

The firm was forced to close its 25,000-square-foot factory in Bonnyrigg and furlough its 40 staff in March because of the lockdown and delay several customer projects. But it said that after securing funding from Clydesdale through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, it was able meet projected cash flow shortfalls and cover fixed costs and supplier payments.

Operations resumed last month, and the company is fulfilling its pre-lockdown orders and receiving a growing volume of new orders from customers around the world.

Its clients include the commercial hospitality sector, such as hotel groups, holiday parks and resorts.

MD Archie Hunter said: “Our pods are designed and built to a luxury standard and offer guests the ‘wow’ factor without the need to travel abroad.

We have a robust pipeline in the UK and Ireland, with orders also coming in from Europe. We are shipping to New Zealand and talking to customers in Saudi Arabia, where they are seeking to drive their tourism market to boost the economy.

“Business is strong at the moment… the support from Clydesdale Bank has allowed us to sustain the business through a challenging time and we’re now on the cusp of a really exciting growth period.”

Michael Mackie, relationship manager at Clydesdale Bank, said that while the hospitality sector has suffered, “Armadilla is in a strong position to take advantage of growing demand for holiday pods”.