Manufacturing and machinery

Manufacturing equipment leasing and finance

Fund production machinery, automation and complete equipment packages without using all of the cash your business needs for materials, people and growth.

The short answer

Finance equipment around its working life and your production plan

Manufacturing equipment leasing and finance can spread the cost of new or used machinery through hire purchase, equipment leasing or asset refinance. The lender will assess your business, the supplier, the asset and whether the proposed term is sensible for its expected working life.

Assets
Machinery, automation and production systems
Condition
New, used or refurbished may qualify
Routes
Hire purchase, leasing or asset refinance

Equipment we can discuss

What manufacturing equipment can be financed?

Durable, identifiable equipment used by the business is normally the clearest starting point. The final decision remains subject to the lender, supplier and full application.

01

CNC and machine tools

Lathes, mills, machining centres, laser cutters and precision engineering equipment.

02

Fabrication equipment

Press brakes, cutting systems, welding equipment, extraction and metalworking machinery.

03

Robotics and automation

Industrial robots, cobots, conveyors, controls and automated handling systems.

04

Packaging and processing

Filling, labelling, wrapping, packing and food or beverage production machinery.

05

Printing and additive systems

Industrial printers, 3D printers, finishing equipment and specialist production technology.

06

Complete production lines

Multiple linked assets supported by a clear supplier schedule, specification and installation plan.

Fabrication worker using industrial metalworking equipment

New, used and refurbished

Used manufacturing machinery can still be financeable

A lower purchase price can make used machinery attractive, but the lender needs enough information to understand the asset and its remaining useful life.

  • Machine make, model, serial number and year
  • Operating hours, service history and current condition
  • Supplier experience, warranty and inspection details
  • Purchase price compared with the open-market value
  • Expected use and productive life within your business

Ways to fund the purchase

Compare manufacturing equipment finance options

The right structure depends on whether ownership matters, how VAT is handled and what you expect to do with the equipment at the end.

Hire purchase

Spread the cost through fixed payments while working towards ownership, subject to the agreement and any final option fee.

Explore hire purchase

Asset refinance

Release funds from suitable machinery the business already owns, while continuing to use it in production.

Explore asset refinance

Build a finance-ready schedule

Separate the machine from the wider project costs

A production project can include far more than the main asset. Ask the supplier to itemise every component so the lender can decide what may be included.

EquipmentMachine, controls, guarding and essential attachments
Direct costsDelivery, commissioning, tooling, software and training
Separate itemsBuilding works, consumables, maintenance and recurring licences
TimingDeposit dates, lead time, installation and acceptance testing

Eligibility varies by lender. An itemised schedule does not guarantee every cost can be financed.

Automated production and packaging line in a manufacturing facility

Prepare the application

What lenders need to assess the machinery and the business

  1. 1

    Send the itemised quote

    Include the specification, supplier, price, delivery date and every related project cost.

  2. 2

    Explain the production case

    Show whether the purchase replaces capacity, removes a bottleneck, improves margin or supports a new order.

  3. 3

    Provide business information

    Accounts, management information and bank statements help the lender assess affordability and trading performance.

  4. 4

    Compare the full terms

    Review the deposit, payments, fees, security, ownership position and end-of-term conditions before signing.

Common questions

Manufacturing equipment finance FAQs

What manufacturing equipment can be financed?

Eligible assets can include CNC machines, fabrication equipment, robotics, production lines, packaging systems, food processing machinery and 3D printers, subject to lender assessment.

Can used manufacturing machinery be financed?

Potentially. Lenders assess the machine's age, condition, supplier, value, service history and remaining working life before deciding whether it is suitable.

Can installation, tooling and software be included?

Some directly related costs may be considered when they are clearly itemised, but eligibility varies by lender. Building works, consumables and ongoing service costs may need separate treatment.

Is hire purchase or leasing better for manufacturing equipment?

Hire purchase can suit a business that wants to own the machinery, while manufacturing equipment leasing can suit businesses that prefer regular rentals and different end-of-term options. The right route depends on the asset, cash flow and ownership plan.

What information do manufacturing finance lenders need?

Expect to provide an itemised supplier quote, equipment specification, delivery and installation details, business accounts or management information, bank statements and an explanation of how the machinery will be used.

How much deposit is needed for manufacturing equipment finance?

Deposit requirements depend on the lender, the machinery, the amount financed and the strength of the business. Specialist or used equipment and newer businesses may require a larger contribution. Compare the deposit, any VAT due, fees, regular payments and final payment together.

How long can manufacturing equipment be financed over?

Manufacturing equipment finance is commonly structured over two to seven years, but the available term depends on the machine's age, expected working life and the lender's criteria. The term should reflect how long the equipment will remain productive for the business.

How is VAT treated on manufacturing equipment finance?

VAT treatment depends on the agreement. With hire purchase, VAT is generally charged on the equipment at the outset, while leasing normally applies VAT to each rental. Whether VAT can be included in the funding varies, so confirm the cash requirement and obtain tax advice before proceeding.

Can several machines or suppliers be included in one finance project?

Potentially. Provide separate, itemised quotes and a delivery schedule for every supplier. The lender will decide whether the assets can sit under one facility or need separate agreements, especially when installation dates or asset types differ.

Discuss your manufacturing equipment

Send the supplier quote, equipment specification and target installation date. We’ll explain the finance routes available for your business.