Optama Ltd is a renewable energy installation provider helping homes across Scotland cut running costs and make the green transition. Graham and Steven, both directors since 2020, have built the business on exceptional customer service, cutting-edge technology, and the belief that everyone should have access to clean, affordable energy.
Since 2013, government grant schemes like the Energy Company Obligation have driven a boom in work for installers, funnelling a consistent stream of projects to businesses like Optama. Demand escalated with the energy crisis: heat pump sales almost doubled in 2021, and the government has committed to 600,000 installations a year by 2028.
Yet the funding gap for SME installers has only worsened. Between purchasing kit, installing on site, and clearing scheme compliance checks, businesses carry high upfront costs and wait up to 4 to 6 weeks before seeing a return on a single job. Without funding headroom, installers struggle to invest in equipment and labour or take on new projects.
Grow Now Pay Later, Lenkie's revolving credit facility, has resolved the cash flow problem for Optama over the last two years, providing a platform to pay suppliers instantly. Instead of waiting for customer payment, Optama takes on more jobs and builds turnover, with repayments folding into the existing cash flow cycle across up to 12 months.
Reputation compounds the advantage. Moving quickly impresses customers, but it also matters to the electricians, plasterers and joiners subcontracted through third parties on a regular basis. Paying these providers on time or ahead of schedule secures those relationships, ensuring every job is completed to the highest standard.
The journey
01
Suppliers paid instantly through the revolving facility as kit is purchased
02
Repayments spread up to 12 months, folded into the existing job cycle
03
Subcontractors paid on time or early, securing the trades that keep projects moving
Graham Latta
Director, Optama Ltd
Sanjeev Jeyakumar
CEO, Lenkie
The facility has underpinned two years of growth, letting Optama capitalise on volume in an increasingly competitive industry. The market behind them keeps building: the International Energy Agency projects that renewable electric systems like heat pumps will completely outsell fossil fuel boilers by 2030, growing to half the global electricity mix. Installers like Optama need continuous funding to drive that transition, and the next chapters look bright, and warm.
4-6 weeks
wait for payment on a single job, bridged by the facility
2 years
funding growth with Lenkie
12 months
to spread repayments into the cash flow cycle
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