How Meridian helped Activate Branding overcome critical international payment and operational challenges
Activate Branding Ltd is a leading UK-based promotional merchandise company. Its customer base includes some of the world’s largest companies including Shell, Nissan, and Bloomberg.
The Challenge
In 2022, Meridian was introduced to Activate Branding via their accountancy firm during a period of rapid international growth.
One of their largest overseas customers, Nissan, has a division based in Mexico. However, payment delays of over three months were occurring because Activate’s bank (and FX broker) was unable to accept funds from Mexico due to jurisdictional restrictions. This created significant cash flow pressure and put a key customer relationship at risk.
Activate Branding approached Meridian for a solution to enable reliable international payments.
The Solution
Meridian delivered a flexible, multi-currency solution to enable local collections, reduce FX costs and support ongoing global growth.
Mexican Collection Account
Meridian quickly set up a named Mexican Peso (MXN) account in Activate Branding Ltd’s name. This allowed them to receive overdue payments from Mexico immediately, restoring cash flow and stabilising an important customer relationship.
Cost-Effective FX & Global Payments
Funds received in MXN could be converted into GBP on Meridian’s platform at a time of Activate Branding’s choosing, using Meridian’s highly competitive FX rates. This delivered savings of approximately 2–2.5% compared to their primary bank.
Following this success, Activate Branding expanded their use of Meridian to include other global customers and to pay overseas suppliers in EUR, USD, HKD, CNY and TRY, driving further substantial savings across their global payment flows.
Secure Online Platform & Dedicated Support
Activate Branding manages all accounts through Meridian’s secure online platform, with real-time visibility of balances, conversions, and payments, supported by a dedicated account manager.
FX Market Insights
Regular FX updates and insights help Activate Branding make informed decisions around currency timing and risk management.
Meridian quickly helped us overcome a really significant business challenge and move forward with a major client with confidence. We always enjoy dealing with them - they’ve been a true partner in facilitating our overseas relationships.
Richard FreemantleDirector, Activate Branding
Results
Meridian helped Activate Branding overcome a critical international payment and operational challenge, successfully streamlining its international payment collection process while significantly reducing FX costs. The solution delivered immediate financial benefits and provided a scalable foundation to support Activate Branding’s continued global expansion.
Improved cash flow - Enabling the client to receive payments locally from its largest overseas customer and resolving long-standing payment delays
Strengthened client relationships - Through friction-free international payments
Significant cost savings - Saving 2–2.5% on currency conversions
Simplified international operations - including international payment collection and supplier settlements
Scalable infrastructure - supporting continued global expansion
