Manufacturing business loans for UK firms: fast, flexible funding connections

Summary: Fast Business Loans connects UK manufacturers with lenders and brokers offering asset finance, equipment leasing, invoice finance, working capital and growth funding from £10,000+. We’re an introducer — not a lender — and our free, no‑obligation matching helps you compare options quickly so you can keep production moving. Ready to check eligibility? Get Started – Free Eligibility Check.

Why manufacturing businesses need specialist funding

Manufacturing is capital‑intensive and often cyclical. Whether you’re upgrading plant, buying a new CNC machine, covering a spike in raw material costs or funding an export contract you can’t yet invoice, mainstream bank products don’t always fit the need. Specialist finance can be faster, more flexible and structured around assets, invoices or contracts rather than a single credit score.

• Typical triggers: equipment upgrades, capacity expansion, cashflow gaps, refinancing, sustainability investments.
• Funding that matches risk: asset-backed, invoice-based or short-term working capital.
• Sector nuance matters: lenders who understand lead times, warranties and life‑cycles of plant offer better terms.

Quick insight: Manufacturers often free working capital by refinancing existing equipment or using invoice finance to accelerate cash tied up in receivables.

Fast Business Loans: how our free matching service works

We don’t lend. We make introductions that save you time and increase the chance of a suitable match.

1. Submit a short enquiry — a few business details and the funding you need (under 2 minutes). Free Eligibility Check.
2. We match you — your profile goes to a small number of vetted brokers and lenders suited to manufacturing finance.
3. Rapid contact — expect a call or email from specialists to clarify and progress options.
4. Compare offers — you choose whether to proceed. There’s no obligation and no cost to use our introducer service.

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Funding solutions we commonly source for manufacturers

We match manufacturing businesses with lenders and brokers offering a range of products. Below are the common solutions and when they’re typically used.

Asset & equipment finance

Buy or refinance machinery using the equipment as security. Preserves cash and spreads cost over useful life.

• Benefits: preserves working capital, possible tax advantages, fast decisioning for branded assets.
• Typical size/term: £10k–£2m+, 2–7 years.

Leasing & hire purchase

Hire purchase lets you own at the end of term; leasing keeps costs off‑balance-sheet for some structures.

Working capital & cashflow loans

Short‑term funding for stock, seasonal peaks or to bridge supplier payment cycles. Useful for urgent needs.

Invoice finance & supply chain funding

Unlock cash tied up in unpaid invoices. Ideal where customers have long payment terms.

Commercial mortgages & property finance

Finance for factories, workshop purchases or leasehold improvements.

Growth, R&D and sustainability finance

Funding for expansion, new product development or investments that cut energy costs (solar, heat recovery).

For more sector-specific information see our specialist page on manufacturing business loans.

Eligibility snapshot for manufacturing businesses

Each lender sets its own criteria but typical minimums we see across the market include:

• Trading history: often 6–12 months for many lenders; longer for unsecured facilities.
• Minimum loan: we arrange finance from around £10,000 upward.
• Turnover: varies by product — small facilities for sub‑£500k turnover, larger facilities require higher revenue.
• Security and credit: asset-backed routes can accept weaker credit profiles than unsecured loans; directors’ guarantees may be requested.

Note: Meeting these points does not guarantee approval — final decisions rest with the lender.

What to prepare before you apply

Being organised speeds up the process. Typical documents and info lenders ask for:

• Latest management accounts and 12–24 months bank statements.
• Profit & loss and balance sheet (company accounts).
• Asset schedule (machinery, vehicles) and photographs where relevant.
• Details of key customers and supplier contracts; outstanding invoices for invoice finance.
• Expected funding amount, intended use and repayment plan.
• Director ID and recent contact details.

How we support different manufacturing sub-sectors

Manufacturing covers diverse industries. We match you with lenders experienced in your niche:

Precision engineering & fabrication

Typical needs: CNC machines, jigs, tooling. Common solutions: asset finance, equipment leasing.

Food & beverage manufacturing

Typical needs: packaging lines, cold storage, working capital for seasonal demand. Common solutions: invoice finance, asset finance.

Automotive & aerospace suppliers

Typical needs: high-value tooling, certification costs, long supply chains. Common solutions: asset-backed loans, invoice discounting.

Pharmaceuticals & chemical processing

Typical needs: specialist plant, R&D funding, regulatory compliance costs. Common solutions: structured term loans, R&D grants alongside finance.

Packaging & print

Typical needs: presses, finishing equipment, stock. Common solutions: hire purchase, leasing, working capital.

Timelines: from enquiry to funds

Typical timelines (subject to asset valuations and documentation):

• Invoice finance: same day to a few days after approval.
• Asset/equipment finance: decision often 24–72 hours, funding within days once paperwork is complete.
• Working capital term loans: 3–10 business days for straightforward cases.
• Commercial mortgages: 4–8 weeks depending on surveying and legal work.

Want an immediate eligibility check? Free Eligibility Check.

Cost considerations and responsible borrowing

Costs depend on product, term, security and credit history. Key points to compare:

• Interest rate / APR — compare like-for-like including arrangement fees.
• Fees — documentation, valuation, broker fees and early repayment charges.
• Security and personal guarantees — these affect pricing and risk exposure.

Fast Business Loans is an introducer; we do not provide financial advice or offer lending. Make sure any funding is affordable for your business and read lender terms carefully.

Case snapshot: manufacturing funding we’ve facilitated

Midlands precision engineering firm — £250,000 asset finance arranged in 7 days.

• Outcome: new CNC machine installed, order lead times cut by 30% and a new contract delivered on time.
• Client comment: “Fast Business Loans found the right lender quickly and saved us weeks of searching.”

Why manufacturers choose Fast Business Loans

• Sector-focused matching with lenders who understand manufacturing.
• Faster contact and fewer unsuitable approaches — we only share your enquiry with relevant partners.
• No cost to you and no obligation to proceed.
• Handles finance starting from £10,000 and up.

Get Started – Free Eligibility Check

Step-by-step: submit your enquiry

1. Provide business name, company number and trading history.
2. State the funding type and amount you’re seeking.
3. Give contact details and preferred time to be contacted.

Your initial enquiry does not affect your credit score. We handle your data securely and only share it with matched lenders and brokers who can help. Start your enquiry now.

FAQs on manufacturing business finance

Can start-up manufacturers get finance with limited trading history?

Some lenders require 6–12 months’ trading, but specialist brokers can consider proposals with strong contracts, purchase orders or credible director support. We’ll match you to lenders who review start-up cases.

How quickly can we secure asset finance for new machinery?

Once a lender values the asset, many asset finance deals reach a decision in 24–72 hours and fund within a few days after documents are signed.

Is personal security always required?

Not always. Asset-backed deals often rely on the financed asset as security. For unsecured lending or larger facilities, lenders may request personal guarantees.

Can we refinance existing equipment to release working capital?

Yes. Asset refinance and sale-and-leaseback options can free capital tied up in machinery while keeping the equipment operational.

Do you work with manufacturers who export?

Yes. Many lenders provide export finance, foreign invoice factoring or working capital tailored for international contracts.

Will submitting an enquiry affect our credit score?

No. The Fast Business Loans enquiry is an introduction only. Lenders may carry out credit searches only if you proceed with an application.

What’s the minimum and maximum loan size you handle?

We typically arrange finance from around £10,000 upwards. Upper limits depend on lender panels and your business profile — in many cases multiple millions are possible.

Are there sustainability or green finance options?

Yes. There are funding products aimed at energy efficiency, renewable installations and low-carbon equipment. Tell us about any sustainability plans in your enquiry to be matched to suitable offers.

Glossary: key finance terms

• Asset finance: Loan secured against equipment.
• Hire purchase: Buy equipment via staged payments and own at the end.
• Invoice finance: Advance against unpaid invoices to improve cashflow.
• Working capital: Short-term funds to run day-to-day operations.
• EBITDA: Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation.

Start your manufacturing finance journey today

Whether you need a new press, bridge a cashflow gap or refinance plant to free capital, Fast Business Loans helps you find the right lender or broker quickly. Our service is free and no obligation — complete a short enquiry and we’ll connect you with experts who understand manufacturing finance.

Free Eligibility Check

– What types of manufacturing finance can you connect me with?
We match UK manufacturers to asset finance, equipment leasing, invoice finance, working capital loans, commercial mortgages, and growth/sustainability funding from £10,000+.

– How fast can I get a response and funding?
You’ll typically hear from matched lenders or brokers within hours on business days, with asset finance often decided in 24–72 hours and invoice finance funding in a few days.

– Is Fast Business Loans a lender, and does it cost anything to use?
We’re an introducer, not a lender, and our matching service is free to use with no obligation to proceed.

– Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No—your enquiry is an introduction only, and any credit checks happen later if you choose to apply with a lender.

– What’s the minimum and maximum finance amount available?
We arrange introductions from around £10,000 up to multiple millions, depending on product, security, and your business profile.

– What are the typical eligibility criteria for manufacturing finance?
Lenders often look for 6–12 months’ trading, suitable turnover for the facility size, and security/credit profile, with asset-backed options more flexible than unsecured loans.

– Can start-up manufacturers with limited trading history get funding?
Yes—specialist lenders may consider strong contracts, purchase orders, or director support even with limited history.

– Do I need to provide personal guarantees or security?
Not always—asset-backed facilities may rely on the machinery as security, while larger or unsecured loans often require directors’ guarantees.

– What documents should I prepare to speed things up?
Prepare recent management accounts, 12–24 months’ bank statements, company accounts, an asset schedule/photos, key customer and invoice details, and your intended use and repayment plan.

– Can I refinance equipment or unlock cash tied up in invoices?
Yes—asset refinance or sale-and-leaseback can release capital from machinery, and invoice finance accelerates cash flow from unpaid invoices.