Is it better to lease or buy a bottling line?

Hire purchase (buying) is preferred for core equipment you intend to keep long-term, building equity in the asset. Leasing is useful if you want lower upfront costs or anticipate needing to upgrade to a faster line within a few years as volumes grow.

Can we finance a used bottling line?

Yes. There is a strong secondary market for packaging equipment. We can arrange finance for used lines purchased from reputable dealers, though lenders may require a valuation or limit the term based on the asset's age.

What deposit will we need?

Hire purchase may require a deposit and upfront VAT, while finance lease commonly spreads VAT across rentals. Exact initial payments and tax treatment depend on the agreement and your circumstances.

Will lenders fund equipment from European suppliers?

Yes. Much of the world's premium bottling equipment is manufactured in Italy and Germany. We use specialist lenders experienced in handling international suppliers, staged payments, and import logistics.

Packaging Finance

Finance for bottling, labelling & packaging lines

Taking control of your packaging process protects your product quality and significantly improves margins. We arrange asset finance for high-speed bottling lines and bespoke labelling machinery.

Speak to an Adviser Distilleries Hub

Speak with Arran or Graham

1-5 years

Finance terms

New & Used

Asset types

150+

Lender panel

£0

Broker fees

Funding packaging automation

Independent broker with an extensive panel of 150+ UK lenders. No upfront fees.

Improve Margins, Keep Cash

Moving away from contract bottling reduces your per-unit cost. Asset finance allows you to acquire the machinery immediately, paying for it over time using the increased profit margin it generates, without depleting your cash reserves.

Flexible Finance Structures

Choose Hire Purchase to own the line outright at the end of the agreement, or a Finance Lease to minimise upfront costs by paying the VAT monthly alongside your rentals—ideal for managing cashflow.

Complete System Funding

We can source finance that covers the entire packaging line as a single project—including the rinser, filler, capper, labeller, and conveyor systems—rather than trying to finance individual components separately.

Bespoke Spirit Packaging

Spirits often require complex packaging: corkers, wax dippers, tax stamp applicators, and uniquely shaped bottle handling. We work with lenders who understand these bespoke requirements and their value.

Packaging equipment we finance

Specialist finance options to match your requirements.

Inline & rotary bottling lines

Rinsers & air blowers

Cappers & corking machines

Wax dipping & sealing tech

Pressure sensitive labellers

Tax stamp applicators

Date & batch coders

Accumulation conveyors

Depalletisers

Case packers & cartoners

Pallet wrappers

Quality control & vision systems

Who you could speak to

Arran Turner

Managing Director

General commercial finance and how Sorbus works

Profile

Graham Nash

Commercial Finance Director

Business loans, cash flow and wider commercial funding

Profile

STEP 1
A conversation with a broker
You talk to a real Sorbus broker about the business, the purpose and what is affordable. No application at this stage.
STEP 2
Credit placement
If you choose to go further, we prepare the case and decide which lenders on our panel of 150+ are worth approaching.
STEP 3
Lender assessment
The lender, not Sorbus, underwrites and makes the credit decision. Approval is never guaranteed.
STEP 4
Documentation
If a lender offers terms and you accept, we help coordinate agreements and payout paperwork with you.

Every step after the first is optional. You can stop after the conversation. Sorbus is a broker, not a lender.

Client journey

Explore real client journeys

Read how real businesses approached a funding goal, what Sorbus arranged and what happened next.

Browse anonymised case studies

Enquire about Bottling Line Finance

Start with a conversation

Tell us a little about what you need and who you would like to speak to. No obligation, no credit check at this stage. We aim to respond within one business day, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm.

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Speak directly to an adviser Monday–Friday, 9am–5:30pm.

01246 383500

Free call. No obligation.

Unique to Sorbus Finance

Optional: Business Finance Health Check

Before you approach lenders, understand your borrowing readiness with our free Business Finance Health Check, tailored for UK businesses.

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Free · No credit check · Not required before you talk

Want the full picture? The full fact-find is longer and also optional.

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hello@sorbusfinance.co.uk

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The Business Finance Health Check scores your readiness to borrow, business resilience, and growth potential. Free, under 5 minutes, no obligation.

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Questions answered

Common queries about packaging finance.

Ready to bring bottling in-house?

Speak to our manufacturing finance specialists to find the most competitive funding for your new packaging line.

01246 383500 Distilleries Hub