Australian Photo Supplies (APS) is a leading distributor of photo imaging products across Australia and the Pacific Islands, serving commercial printing labs, retailers, and wholesalers. Established in 1992 and headquartered in Victoria, APS has expanded its offerings to include a diverse range of products such as instant cameras, corporate packages, passport photo solutions, and commercial printers. The company’s commitment to providing efficient supply chain solutions has been key to its growth.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, APS’s largest buyer reduced orders, affecting cash flow and inventory management. With declining sales, APS struggled to balance operational costs, maintain supplier relationships, and manage cash flow. As the pandemic subsided, buyers very quickly returned to larger orders, presenting a new challenge: meeting demand without compromising financial stability.
Managing cross-border payments and cash flow
To meet the rapidly increasing client demand, and achieve their growth objectives, APS needed a finance solution to optimise payments to overseas suppliers and improve cash flow. In their search for effective payment options APS discovered Octet, and after assessing their requirements, applied for OctetPay.
“OctetPay provided us with a great solution for paying our invoices using credit cards while benefiting from competitive foreign exchange (FX) rates,” explains Joe Tresckitta, CEO and Director at APS Logistics Group. “This made our supplier payments more efficient.”
However, with increasing stock requirements and larger orders, APS needed more tailored financing to handle cash flow challenges and delayed payments.
Australian Photo Supplies headquarters in Somerton, Victoria
Tailored Trade Finance to optimise cash flow and support growth
“After reviewing APS’s needs, it became clear that a working capital solution, such as Trade Finance, would be a better fit to support their business in the long term,” says Jack Ahdore, Business Development Executive at Octet.
Trade Finance provides a flexible line of credit to power international and domestic trade transactions. This facility offers:
- from $100,000 up to $12 million in credit
- repayment terms up to 120 days, including up to 60 days interest-free
- the ability to pay suppliers in 72 countries at competitive FX rates in 15 currencies
- easier management of payment delays, currency fluctuations, and credit risks
Octet structured a tailored $300,000 secured Trade Finance facility, designed to help APS accelerate both domestic and international transactions. The facility offered several benefits that directly addressed their requirements:
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- ✓Improved cash flow: Immediate funding for overseas suppliers kept cash in the business
- ✓Mitigated currency fluctuations: Competitive FX rates helped APS avoid losses due to exchange rate fluctuations
- ✓Provided growth opportunities: Freeing up cash allowed them to reinvest in areas such as expanding product lines and growing the APS Logistics Group (warehousing and distribution arm of the company)
By ensuring timely payments, the Trade Finance facility enabled APS to maintain strong relationships with overseas suppliers, with the potential to secure preferential terms and priority stock availability.
“This reliability allowed us to avoid stock disruptions and meet customer demand quickly, giving us a competitive edge,” notes Joe.
Joe Tresckitta, CEO & Director of APS Logistics Group, says Octet working capital solutions give his business a competitive edge
Empowering Australian businesses with flexible Trade Finance solutions
“With tailored finance and competitive FX rates, APS was able to streamline international transactions, strengthen supplier relationships, and scale its operations effectively,” adds Jack.
For businesses like APS that rely on international suppliers, managing cash flow is crucial. Octet’s Trade Finance facility offers a flexible and secure solution to optimise payments, reduce financial risks, and support business growth. It also helps to accelerate cash flow in your business.
To discover whether Trade Finance is the right solution for your business, talk to us today and we’ll help you find the best option to accelerate your business growth.
For further information on Australian Photo Supplies products and services, visit australianphotosupplies.com.au
Disclaimer: These comments are only our views and should not be construed as advice. You should act using your own information and judgment. Although information has been obtained from and is based upon multiple sources the author believes to be reliable, we do not guarantee its accuracy, and it may be incomplete or condensed. All opinions and estimates constitute the author’s own judgment as at the date of publication and are subject to change without notice.
