Why manufacturers partner with Fast Business Loans

Manufacturing companies face tight margins, long supply chains and frequent capital expenditure decisions. Fast Business Loans streamlines the search for finance by matching your business to brokers and lenders who specialise in manufacturing. Our service saves time, broadens your options and increases the likelihood of receiving competitive terms from providers that understand production cycles and sector-specific risks.

• Sector-aware matching: we connect you with brokers who know manufacturing finance.
• Faster responses: many enquires receive indicative terms within 24–48 hours.
• Free & no obligation: using our enquiry service costs your business nothing.
• Confidential & targeted: we only share your details with relevant partners.

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Disclaimer: Fast Business Loans is an introducer, not a lender or financial adviser. Any finance is subject to lender assessment and terms.

Common manufacturing funding needs we support

Manufacturers use external finance for many practical, growth and compliance reasons. Here are the most common uses our partners help with:

• Machinery purchases & upgrades — new CNC machines, presses, automation or robotics.
• Working capital — to bridge long supplier lead times or seasonal demand.
• Raw materials & stock — finance for bulk buys to secure discounts or meet large orders.
• Payroll & short-term cashflow — avoid disruption during growth phases.
• Expansion & premises — converting or extending production units.
• Export & international trade — letters of credit, trade finance or export working capital.
• Energy efficiency & green upgrades — funding for retrofit, solar, heat pumps or low-carbon equipment.

Real-world vignette: A Midlands engineering SME needed a new lathe to fulfil a large order. After a quick enquiry through our site they were matched to an equipment finance broker; the firm had matched funding and delivery arranged within 10 days, preserving working capital for production. Start Your Enquiry.

Finance solutions available for manufacturers

Unsecured & secured business loans

Short- to medium-term loans can be unsecured (based on company strength) or secured against assets or property. Typical uses include working capital, refinancing and short-term investment. Loan sizes via our partners generally start around £10,000 and can extend to several million depending on borrower strength and security. Terms and rates vary by lender and are influenced by trading history, turnover and director covenants.

Asset & equipment finance

Asset finance allows manufacturers to acquire machines while spreading cost over the asset’s working life. Options include hire purchase, finance lease and vendor/refinance facilities. Benefits include preserving cash, aligning repayments with production cycles and potential tax advantages. We match you with brokers who specialise in manufacturing equipment and can handle new or used kit finance.

Invoice & supply chain finance

Invoice finance (factoring or discounting) unlocks cash tied up in unpaid invoices and can be vital where large retailers or OEMs demand extended payment terms. Supply chain finance solutions also help suppliers get paid faster while buyers preserve payment terms. These products smooth cashflow and reduce the need for overdrafts or short-term loans.

Commercial mortgages & property finance

For factory purchases, refits, or expansions, commercial mortgages and bridging facilities provide longer-term finance. Options may include development finance for brownfield sites or specialised loans for energy-efficiency retrofits. Our partners include brokers experienced in structuring property finance for industrial premises.

Specialist & green manufacturing funding

Many lenders and brokers offer green loan products or can access grants and sustainability-linked finance for projects like solar, low-emission machinery or energy-efficiency upgrades. If sustainability is part of your project, tell us in your enquiry so we can match you to providers with green finance experience.

Who our lending & broker partners support

Our panel covers a broad range of manufacturing sub-sectors. Below is a summary of common sectors and the finance types they frequently use.

If your business sits in a specialist niche, we can still help — tell us about it in the enquiry. For more sector detail see our industry hub on manufacturing business loans.

Eligibility snapshot & application checklist

Exact eligibility varies by lender and product, but most manufacturing finance providers look for the following:

• Minimum loan size: typically from £10,000 upwards.
• Trading history: many lenders prefer at least 12 months trading, though specialist partners support earlier-stage companies who can demonstrate contracts or director experience.
• Turnover & profitability: lender-specific thresholds apply; some asset-finance deals focus more on collateral than profit.
• Credit profile: historic credit matters; different lenders have different risk appetites.
• Security: some products require business assets or property as security.

Documents that speed the process

• Company registration details and director ID.
• Latest management accounts (ideally 12 months) and trading projections.
• Full financial statements (if available).
• Aged debtor and creditor listings.
• Asset list with valuations/serial numbers (for equipment finance).
• Details of existing borrowing and monthly repayments.

Start Your Enquiry — tell us what you need and we’ll match you to the right partners.

How our 4-step enquiry process works

1. Complete a short enquiry: our form takes around two minutes and asks the essentials (company, funding need, contact).
2. Smart match: we pair your enquiry with vetted brokers and lenders best suited to manufacturing requirements.
3. Rapid response: matched partners contact you by phone or email to discuss options and next steps.
4. Review and decide: compare offers, discuss terms with brokers and proceed with the provider you choose.

We perform a soft match when connecting you to partners — lenders may later ask for more detailed information and perform hard credit checks with your consent. Free Eligibility Check.

Transparent, fair & compliant

Fast Business Loans acts as an introducer. We do not charge manufacturers for using our service — any fees or broker commissions will be disclosed by the broker or lender if you choose to proceed. We aim to be clear, fair and non-misleading: we will never promise guaranteed approval or specific rates. Your information is handled securely and only shared with partners relevant to your enquiry.

Guidance for manufacturing directors comparing finance options

Choosing the right finance requires looking beyond headline rates. Consider:

• Total cost of finance: include fees, arrangement charges and any early settlement penalties.
• Repayment profile: match repayments to cashflow and production cycles to avoid seasonal stress.
• Balance sheet impact: leasing vs purchase affects assets and liabilities differently.
• Security & covenants: understand what you might be asked to secure and any ongoing reporting requirements.
• Exit and refinance flexibility: check options if growth or sale is anticipated.

Prepare these questions for any broker or lender you speak with: What is the APR or total cost? Are there arrangement or annual fees? What security is required? How quickly can funds be drawn?

Get Quote Now to have experienced brokers answer these on your behalf.

Manufacturing finance success snapshot

Case snapshot (anonymised): A West Yorkshire plastics firm needed £120,000 to replace ageing extruders and secure a large retailer contract. After submitting an enquiry they were matched to three brokers; one arranged a hire-purchase facility that preserved working capital and matched repayments to invoicing. Machines delivered inside three weeks and the business expanded output by 40% within two months.

Frequently asked questions

What loan sizes can manufacturers access through Fast Business Loans?

Our partners typically arrange finance from around £10,000 up to multi-million pound facilities depending on lender criteria, security and business strength.

Can early-stage manufacturers apply?

Yes. Some brokers specialise in supporting newer manufacturers, particularly where management brings sector experience or where purchase orders/contracts provide security.

How fast can funding be released?

Timescales depend on product and documentation. Indicative terms often arrive within 24–48 hours once matched; drawdown can be under two weeks for simple asset finance, longer for complex property or development finance.

Will submitting an enquiry affect our credit score?

No. Completing an enquiry on our site does not impact your credit file. Lenders may run credit checks later with your explicit consent.

Are there green financing options?

Yes. Several partners offer green loans or routes to grants for energy-efficient machinery and factory upgrades. Mention sustainability needs in your enquiry.

What documents should I prepare?

Typical documents include management accounts, financial statements, aged debtor/creditor reports, asset lists and details of existing borrowing. Having these ready accelerates decisions.

Do you charge manufacturers for this service?

No — our enquiry service is free for business owners. Any fees or commissions from brokers or lenders will be disclosed before you accept an offer.

Ready to explore your manufacturing finance options?

Fast Business Loans makes it simple to compare suitable lenders and brokers without long searches or wasted time. Submit a short enquiry and we’ll introduce you to partners who can provide tailored quotes and guidance.

Free Eligibility Check

Important: Fast Business Loans is an introducer, not a lender or financial adviser. Funding is subject to status, lender criteria and may require security. Completing our enquiry is not a loan application — it helps us match you to the providers most likely to assist.