case study:

“In the early days of Silver MetalX., we needed to keep up with increasing demand. Aion provided flexible, non-dilutive funding that grew with our business and helped us scale.”    
                                            — Nayan Chirala, Founder & CEO

From $5M to $18M: How Silver MetalX Scaled with a Flexible Line of Credit and a Partner That ‘Grows Together’

Working Capital Financing, Line of Credit Expansion, and Relationship-Driven Banking with Aion

The Challenge: Big Bank, Limited Support

Before partnering with Aion, Silver MetalX banked with a large national bank. While well-known, the experience created friction during a critical growth phase.

“Our previous bank was nothing but a big bank with little services.”

The company struggled with slow processes, difficulty accessing decision-makers, and complex line of credit approvals — challenges that can significantly limit growth for capital-intensive manufacturers.

When it hit $5–6 million in annual revenue, Silver MetalX identified substantial opportunity in the U.S. automotive aftermarket. But scaling production, inventory, and international logistics required flexible working capital.

Executive Snapshot

Company: Silver MetalX

Industry:
Automotive aftermarket manufacturing

Primary Challenge:
Needed access to capital to unlock a new market 

Revenue Growth:
~$5M → ~$17–18M

Aion Solution:
An initial $150,000 term loan that grew to a $3M+ line of credit and use of Aion’s integrated banking, credit, and payment processing platform

Key Outcomes:
Simplified, stress-free working capital management

Choosing a Financial Partner: How Do You Distinguish?

“Everybody will look the same. They'll talk the same and it is just how you would identify and distinguish between them.”

In the early stages of evaluating financial providers, many institutions appear similar on paper. The differentiation came from CEO-level engagement and a clear roadmap for scaling capital alongside revenue.

Rather than pushing maximum leverage upfront, Aion proposed starting small — building trust before expanding limits.

The Solution: Start Small. Scale Together.

SilverMetalX started with an initial loan of $150,000, and then steadily expanded with Aion from there. This staged approach aligned credit capacity with operational growth — a core principle of sustainable working capital financing.

Results: Revenue Growth and Simplified Operations

• Revenue increased 3x
• Utilized international wire functionality for Oman and India operations
• Accounting integration for seamless financial management
• Customer service issues typically resolved within 24 hours

A Partnership Built on ‘Growing Together’

“We are just growing together.”

As Silver MetalX expanded, Aion expanded alongside it. Limits increased in step with revenue. Features were added in response to feedback. International capabilities were launched to support global facilities.

When asked how he would describe Aion to a peer, the answer was simple:

“They've got my back.”

For a CEO managing capital-intensive operations across multiple countries, that confidence translates directly into focus and reduced stress.

Frequently Asked Questions About Scaling with a Line of Credit

How can a manufacturing company scale?
Access to flexible working capital and a scalable revolving line of credit enables inventory investment, production expansion, and international logistics growth.

Why is relationship-driven banking important for growth-stage businesses?
Growth companies require financial partners who can adapt credit limits and product capabilities as revenue increases.

What makes Aion different from large traditional banks?
Aion combines personalized support, rapid product iteration, and scalable credit facilities — eliminating friction common in large institutions.

Built for Long-term Growth

With revenue approaching $20M and expansion plans ahead, Silver MetalX continues to scale confidently — with a financial partner designed to grow together.

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Subscription Plan

For businesses with high volume of payments, we offer cost-effective subscription options:

$1,000/mo:
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additional transfers at $3.00 each

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additional transfers at $2.00 each

$10,000/mo:
Includes 7,500 transfers;
additional transfers at $1.00 each