Thomas Global Systems
Thomas Global Systems is an industry leader in the design, production and support of innovative electronic systems trusted by airlines, defence forces and governments around the world. Committed to delivering long-term value and operational efficiency, its technologies support aircraft, armoured vehicles and high-performance platforms that require exceptional reliability.
Need
Delivering highly specialised products often involves long production cycles. After securing a number of contracts in the United States, Thomas Global Systems required additional working capital to fund the manufacturing of the products required under the agreements.
Solution
We provided an Export Contract Loan to support the working capital required to cover production lead times for the contracts. This finance solution helped enable the business to increase inventory and deliver on its commitments under the supply agreements.
Founded in Sydney in 1956, Thomas Global Systems has grown from a domestically focused joint venture company into a trusted provider of avionics and electronic solutions worldwide, and we have proudly supported its journey to the global market.
Established as a manufacturer of monochrome picture tubes for televisions, Thomas Global Systems has transformed its offering to focus on innovative aviation and defence electronic solutions for commercial aviation and government applications.
Angus Hutchinson, Chief Executive Officer at Thomas Global Systems, emphasised that the focus for the business has always been on solving complex engineering challenges for its customers.
“From designing new flight deck displays and managing avionics obsolescence, to highly engineered, high-reliability electronics for mission-critical environments, we design solutions that are trusted by our customers to help achieve their missions, safely and efficiently. This is at the core of our market offering.”
Today, Thomas Global Systems manages growing business operations in the United States (US) and Australia including corporate offices, research and development, manufacturing, and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities.
If you’re seeking an overseas market, go to Export Finance Australia. They’ve got experienced people who can give advice, suggest options and support you when you’re ready to grow. I’d have no hesitation recommending that conversation.
Geoff Fardell
Chief Financial Officer
Financing global growth
The products and solutions that Thomas Global Systems provides are inherently suited for a broader global market. Following its first steps into the United States in the 1990s after receiving its US Federal Aviation Administration certification, the business experienced dramatic growth in its avionics business, winning contracts with a number of US and international airlines.
“Our growth has always been driven by trusted partnerships with airlines and defence organisations around the world,” Angus highlighted. “Expanding into North America and strengthening our export capabilities has allowed us to deliver critical solutions to customers wherever they operate.”
When Thomas Global Systems secured a long-term supply agreement in the United States, the business engaged our team to explore how we could support its production lifecycle.
“Export Finance Australia was aligned to what we were after – a working capital facility to fund our growth. It seemed to me like a really good fit,” said Geoff Fardell, Chief Financial Officer.
With components that are relatively small but highly complex to engineer, the business must invest heavily before receiving payment on a contract. With some components requiring six-month lead times and production taking up to six weeks, combined with 30-day payment terms, Thomas Global Systems’ production lifecycle naturally developed some cash flow gaps.
“There is a significant investment to get everything up and running, and that’s where the Export Finance Australia funding comes in. It has been perfect for us.”
We provided an Export Contract Loan to support Thomas Global Systems’ working capital requirements to deliver on a number of contracts in the United States. The finance provided the flexibility and confidence Thomas Global Systems needed to maintain production and increase its inventory.
Geoff highlighted the value of working with a finance partner that understood the unique challenges the business was facing during the manufacturing process. “We were dealing with someone who understood exactly what we were trying to do. The process was seamless. Everyone was engaged, and the support was extremely important for us.”
Scaling to deliver growing demand
As global customers continue to seek out Thomas Global Systems for advanced cockpit display solutions and replacement instruments, the business is focused on scaling production to meet rising demand.
For Thomas Global Systems, long-standing customer relationships and its reputation for reliability continue to drive new opportunities, and with the right financial support behind it, the business is well positioned for the next chapter of global growth.
