Can manufacturing businesses still access fast finance in 2024?

Yes. While macroeconomic conditions and lender appetites shift, UK manufacturers can still access timely business finance. Supply chain delays, rising energy and raw material costs, and contract-driven cashflow can create short-term funding gaps — and many specialist lenders and brokers still offer tailored facilities to bridge them.

Fast Business Loans is an introducer: we do not lend or provide regulated advice. Instead, we match your business with lenders and brokers who understand manufacturing and can respond quickly with options. Submitting an enquiry is just an information step — it’s not an application and it won’t affect your credit score.

What are manufacturing business loans?

Manufacturing business loans and finance solutions are products designed to help manufacturers manage working capital, buy or lease machinery, expand premises, or invest in energy efficiency. They include unsecured and secured loans, asset-backed finance, invoice discounting, commercial mortgages and specialist sustainability funding.

Fast Business Loans helps you quickly compare offers by introducing you to lenders and brokers who specialise in industrial funding. To get matched with a specialist and see potential options, complete a short enquiry: Start Your Free Eligibility Check.

Why manufacturers choose Fast Business Loans

• Sector knowledge — we connect you to partners experienced with production lines, tooling and supplier contracts.
• Speed — our simple enquiry lets partners assess eligibility quickly so you can get quotes fast.
• No obligation — you receive matched options and decide whether to proceed.
• Privacy & safety — your information is shared only with selected partners to assess suitability; submitting the enquiry does not affect your credit score.
• Suitable scale — we work with facilities from around £10,000 upwards, covering SMEs and larger businesses.

Funding solutions we can introduce

Below are common finance products manufacturers use. Each route is appropriate for different needs — our matching aims to present the most relevant options quickly.

Working capital & term loans

Purpose: cover short-term cashflow gaps, fund stock purchases, support seasonal demand, or finance growth. Terms vary from short-term lines of credit to multi-year term loans. Lenders will price based on turnover, profitability and security offered.

Use case: a food packaging manufacturer secures a 12-month working capital facility to purchase bulk raw materials ahead of a big contract.

Equipment & asset finance

Purpose: buy, lease or refinance machinery — CNC machines, production lines, robots or vehicles. Options include hire purchase, finance leases and asset refinance. These structures spread the cost and often preserve working capital.

Use case: a precision engineering firm replaces an ageing lathe using asset finance, spreading cost over 3–5 years while the new machine increases output.

Invoice & supply chain finance

Purpose: unlock cash tied up in unpaid invoices or accelerate payment from buyers. Invoice discounting and factoring free up liquidity without adding traditional debt to the balance sheet.

Use case: a contract manufacturer uses invoice finance to fund materials while waiting for large customer payments.

Commercial mortgages & property finance

Purpose: purchase or refinance factories, warehouses or workshops. Lenders consider leasehold/freehold, business plan for the premises and long-term cashflow to service the debt.

Use case: a growing manufacturer buys adjacent premises to expand production capacity and secures a commercial mortgage.

Sustainability & energy-efficiency funding

Purpose: fund projects like solar PV, heat pumps, LED retrofit, or machinery that lowers energy use. Some lenders offer favourable terms for projects with measurable savings or grants may be available to complement finance.

Use case: a manufacturer installs energy-efficient furnaces funded through a combination of grant and term finance, reducing operating costs and improving margins.

For an in-depth look at sector-specific options, see our dedicated manufacturing page on manufacturing business loans.

How our matching process works

1. Complete a short enquiry — tell us a few business details and what you need (takes about 2 minutes). This is an information step, not an application.
2. We match you — we select lenders/brokers from our panel whose criteria fit your profile.
3. Rapid responses — matched partners typically contact you by phone or email with indicative options and next steps.
4. Compare & decide — review offers and progress directly with the provider you pick. You only progress when you consent.

Complete the 2-minute enquiry form to see your options: Get Quote Now. Submitting the enquiry does not submit a formal application to lenders and will not impact your credit record.

Eligibility snapshot for UK manufacturers

Each lender sets their own criteria, but common factors that influence eligibility include:

Trading history & turnover

Many lenders prefer at least 12 months trading and evidence of sustainable turnover. Certain specialist funds and asset-finance providers will consider businesses with shorter histories where directors show sector experience and contracts.

Credit profile & security

Business and director credit histories matter. Secured options (e.g., using plant, stock or property as security) can broaden access and improve pricing. Unsecured facilities usually require stronger financials.

Documentation checklist

• Recent management accounts (typically last 6–12 months)
• Aged debtor and creditor listings
• Cashflow forecasts or order book evidence
• Details of existing finance and director information

Remember: eligibility is illustrative — final terms and approval are set by the lender after their assessment.

Costs, rates & repayment considerations

Rates and fees vary widely by product, lender risk appetite, security and the business’s financial profile. Typical ranges (illustrative only):

• Term loans: representative APRs often from mid-single digits up to higher rates for riskier propositions.
• Asset finance: structured around the asset value; effective rates depend on residuals and deposit.
• Invoice finance: fees typically calculated as a percentage of invoices advanced (varies by provider and debtor quality).

Other costs to watch for: arrangement fees, valuation and legal fees, and early repayment charges. Always ask matched lenders for a full cost schedule — rates shown during initial contact are indicative and subject to underwriting.

Preparing a strong manufacturing finance application

Presenting a clear, organised case speeds decisions and improves terms. Focus on:

• Financial evidence: clean, recent management accounts, a cashflow forecast and up-to-date debtor/creditor reports.
• Operational narrative: explain the production process, key contracts, lead times and any seasonal peaks.
• Risk mitigation: insurance details, contingency plans for supply disruption and evidence of major clients.
• Use of funds: be specific — lenders prefer clear purposes (e.g., buy a CNC press, bridge two large invoices, retrofit energy systems).

When you’re ready, upload key details via our enquiry form and we’ll match you to the right specialists: Start Your Free Eligibility Check.

How UK manufacturers use external funding (illustrative)

Case 1 — Fabrication SME: Short-term invoice finance allowed delivery on a £250k contract while waiting for staged customer payments — enabled on-time completion and positive cashflow.

Case 2 — Food production line: Asset finance funded a new packing line with repayments matched to increased throughput — improved margins and secured new retail listings.

Case 3 — Precision engineering: A blend of term loan and energy-efficiency grant financed robotic automation, reducing labour costs and increasing capacity for export orders.

Frequently asked questions

What minimum loan size can you introduce?

We typically work with facilities from around £10,000 upwards. Exact availability depends on the product and lender.

Will completing the enquiry form affect my credit score?

No. Completing Fast Business Loans’ enquiry triggers a soft, eligibility-led assessment only. Lenders may carry out hard credit checks later with your consent.

How quickly will I hear back from lenders?

Many matched brokers and lenders respond within 24 hours; quicker responses are common during business hours. Complex facilities may take longer for full offers.

Can you help if I was declined previously?

Possibly. Different lenders and specialist funds have different appetites. Our matching can introduce you to providers who consider more complex or specialist cases.

Do you charge businesses to use the service?

No — our service is free for businesses. Lenders or brokers may charge arrangement fees as part of their product; these will be disclosed by the provider.

Is the enquiry a formal application?

No. The enquiry is an information step to help us match you. No formal applications are submitted without your agreement.

How do you protect my data?

We only share details with selected partners relevant to your enquiry. We recommend reviewing our privacy policy for full details on data handling.

Can I get finance for sustainability projects?

Yes — we can introduce lenders and brokers offering sustainability-focused facilities and organisations that combine grant and finance for energy-saving projects.

Ready to explore your options?

Thousands of UK businesses have been matched with lenders and brokers through Fast Business Loans. To receive no-obligation options and a free eligibility check, complete our short enquiry now: Get Started – Free Eligibility Check.

Important information & disclaimers

Fast Business Loans is an introducer and does not provide loans or regulated financial advice. We connect businesses with lenders and brokers who may offer finance. All lending is subject to status, underwriting and individual lender criteria. Any rates, fees or timescales described on this page are illustrative — final terms are set by providers following assessment. If in doubt, seek independent financial advice before entering into any agreement. We will never submit a formal application on your behalf without your express consent.

Helpful resources for manufacturers

• Make UK — industry insights and support.
• BEIS guidance — government manufacturing support.
• Start your free eligibility check — (our enquiry form) to get matched to finance partners.