Empowering the industry with expertise
Smart Industrial, founded by Stuart Middleton, was born from a deep understanding of the industrial sector. With a background as an industrial licensed electrician, Stuart recognised the gap in the market for a recruitment agency run by qualified tradespeople. Smart Industrial was established to fill this void, ensuring that clients receive precisely the skilled labour they need, vetted by professionals who know the industry inside and out. Stuart said:
“We don’t just send anyone to fill boots on the ground. Our team vets every candidate, ensuring they’re truly qualified for the job. That’s what sets us apart.”
Navigating growth challenges
As Smart Industrial began securing larger contracts, particularly in the mining sector, the company faced significant challenges: managing cash flow amidst extended payment terms and handling complex and manual payroll operations. Stuart soon realised that to maintain and accelerate growth, he needed a financial and payroll partner who could provide the flexibility and support necessary to keep operations running smoothly. He said:
“When we broke into the mining industry, we realised we needed more than just hard work to sustain our growth—we needed a financial partner that understood our business.”
The APositive advantage
APositive approached Stuart with a tailored solution to address these challenges. By partnering with APositive, Smart Industrial gained access to a flexible funding facility and comprehensive payroll management. This ensured that payroll obligations were met promptly, even with clients on longer payment schedules. The integration of APositive’s financial services with Smart Industrial’s existing systems, including Astute Payroll, streamlined their financial and payroll processes, allowing Stuart to focus on scaling the business. Stuart stated:
“APositive has been a game-changer for us. With their support, we can submit invoices and access funds instantly. It’s made all the difference in managing our cash flow and payroll. Plus, with the support from Lindsey and James, we feel like we have added new team members to our business. We can rely on them for whatever is needed week-to-week.”
Exceptional Support from the APositive Team
Throughout the partnership, the roles of Lindsey and James at APositive were critical in ensuring a smooth transition and ongoing success. Lindsey played a key role in setting up the systems for Smart Industrial, making the process seamless and providing reliable support whenever needed.
“Lindsey was fantastic in helping us get everything set up. She did a really great job, always being available to answer questions and ensure everything was running smoothly.”
James, who manages the day-to-day operations at APositive, became an integral part of Smart Industrial’s growth, providing consistent and exceptional support.
“James has been a superhero. He helps run our business operations on a day-to-day basis, and I couldn’t ask for better support. He’s an integral part of our weekly operations, always resolving any issues with a smile.”
Fuelling rapid expansion
Since joining forces with APositive, Smart Industrial has transformed into an eight-figure recruitment business in just 12 months. The reliable financial and payroll support from APositive has been a key driver of this success, enabling the company to partner with major clients like Coles and Cadia Goldmine. Stuart explained:
“In just 12 months, we’ve grown into an eight-figure business. That kind of growth wouldn’t have been possible without APositive’s backing. APositive allows me to focus on scaling the business, while I can rely on them to take care of the backend process.”
The seamless integration with Astute Payroll and the ease of using the APositive portal have significantly enhanced Smart Industrial’s operational efficiency. Stuart has consistently praised the responsiveness and support of the APositive team, particularly highlighting the efforts of Lindsey and James in facilitating the company’s rapid growth.
Looking forward
Stuart attributes much of Smart Industrial’s success to the partnership with APositive. He encourages other agency owners not to fear rapid growth, emphasising that the right financial and payroll partner can make all the difference. With APositive’s ongoing support, Smart Industrial is now poised to expand their marketing efforts and continue their upward trajectory.
“I was sceptical at first, but partnering with APositive was the best decision we made. They’ve empowered us to grow quickly and confidently.”
Building a future-ready business
Stuart Middleton’s journey from an industrial electrician to founding Smart Industrial is a powerful example of how industry knowledge and the right partnerships can drive rapid business growth. By teaming up with APositive, Smart Industrial overcame financial and payroll challenges, allowing them to secure large contracts and scale their operations to an eight-figure business within just 12 months.
Just as APositive has been instrumental in Smart Industrial’s success, the right partner can help you achieve your business goals.
Ready to take your business to the next level? Discover how APositive can support your growth and help you build a foundation for continued success.