From Humble Beginnings to Rapid Expansion
ALH, a staffing agency founded by Izzy Whitley, began as a one-person operation with Izzy himself stepping in to cover shifts when temp workers couldn’t show up. Izzy saw an opportunity to improve the temp experience on construction sites through his hands-on approach which lead him to establish an agency with a strong reputation focused on both worker satisfaction and client value.
Three years after its inception, ALH expanded its operations by bringing on Calvin Opperman to lead the finance division. Calvin, with a CPA and prior experience at KPMG, joined the company to formalise its financial processes and drive further growth. Under their leadership, ALH began branching out across New Zealand and eventually into Brisbane, Australia.
Finding APositive: A Tech-Stack-Driven Connection
As part of its operational setup, ALH used the Karmly app for time sheeting, which recommended APositive as a compatible funding partner. When ALH expanded to Brisbane, they explored invoice-based financing for the first time and engaged with Darren from APositive. Calvin touched on Darren’s clarity and support, which helped ALH understand the risks and benefits of invoice financing.
"The support from APositive was crucial in smoothing our transition into the Australian market. Their expertise in credit checks and guidance on documentation helped us navigate the complexities of expanding into Brisbane seamlessly." – Calvin Opperman, Finance Lead, ALH
Seamless Integration and Cash Flow Support
The partnership with APositive proved invaluable during ALH’s transition into the Australian market. The integration of APositive’s platform into ALH’s tech stack—spanning invoicing, accounting software, and APositive’s portal—ensured a smooth operational process.
Calvin noted the ease of reconciliation across systems, highlighting how APositive facilitated credit checks on Australian clients and provided guidance on documentation that ALH initially overlooked. This support helped smooth ALH’s entry into the Australian market.
Enabling Growth in a Cash-Intensive Industry
In the recruitment industry, cash flow is a critical challenge due to payment terms extending up to 60–90 days. APositive’s financing enabled ALH to pay temps weekly while waiting for client payments, ensuring uninterrupted operations. Calvin shared:
“Without the help of APositive, we would have struggled to grow to where we are right now just based on cash flow.”
Additionally, APositive’s system highlighted overdue clients and prompted timely follow-ups, helping ALH maintain healthy cash flow and credit limits.
Insights and Recommendations
For other agencies or finance operators in similar positions, Calvin emphasised the importance of forecasting and closely monitoring cash flow. He also highlighted the benefits of invoice-based financing compared to traditional bank overdrafts or loans, particularly for businesses aiming to grow in cash-intensive industries like recruitment.
Industry Trends: Challenges and Optimism
Reflecting on recent market conditions, Calvin acknowledged that the past 12 months had been challenging for the recruitment sector, especially in construction. However, he noted recent signs of recovery as the industry moves into summer and emerges from a period of economic recession.
Conclusion
The partnership with APositive has been instrumental in ALH’s rapid growth, particularly during its expansion into the Australian market. By ensuring reliable cash flow and simplifying administrative processes, APositive has enabled ALH to focus on its core mission: delivering exceptional staffing solutions and improving the temp worker experience.
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