Reward backs acquisition with £4m facility for 4PL

Photograph: (Left to Right) Mark Swindell, Robert Burton, Michael Burton and Cameron Miller

Reward Funding has supported the growth aspirations of 4PL with a £4m revolving credit facility. The funding will enable the family-run warehousing and fulfilment specialist to secure long-term control of key warehousing sites with a flexible facility others could not provide.

Established in 2016, 4PL is fully owned and operated by father-and-son duo Robert and Michael Burton. The pair began their journey in the fulfilment sector in 2012, working for a different business before launching 4PL as their own venture. Since then, the business has experienced strong organic growth, expanding its warehousing footprint in line with rising demand for its comprehensive fulfilment services.

Following the growth, 4PL was offered the opportunity to purchase the business that owns the sites for a pre-agreed price. Owning the warehouses will help boost margins and provide long-term cost certainty.

With multiple funders and a locked box structure in play, traditional lenders stalled. Reward shaped a facility to fit the deal – fast, flexible and founder-aligned. With multiple moving parts involved, the business owners turned to Reward for a dynamic funding solution capable of navigating the deal’s shifting demands.

Robert Burton, Co-owner of 4PL, said: “4PL has achieved consistent growth over the years, so being given the chance to purchase the business behind the warehouses was a significant move for us. The acquisition required a lender who could understand the complexity of the deal, and meet the timescales.”

“This isn’t just a property deal, it’s a fundamental shift in how we operate. Reward moved fast, understood our journey and backed our ambition. We’re excited to see where this next phase takes us.”

Mark Swindell, Business Development Director for Reward Funding, added: “4PL is a brilliant example of a strong, family run business with a clear track record of consistent growth and a compelling opportunity ahead of them. While this was the first transaction with Winchester Corporate Finance, it formalises a long-standing relationship and sets the tone for future partnerships. This deal shows how we see risk differently. Where others saw roadblocks, we saw an opportunity to deliver finance that was fast, tailored and at scale.”

Cameron Miller, Business Development Manager at Winchester Corporate Finance, shared: “We are delighted to have advised 4PL and arranged this £4m facility with Reward Funding. Reward’s swift execution and flexible approach were key to delivering the transaction on time and in full alignment with 4PL’s ambitious growth strategy.”