Finance for UK manufacturers: production lines, machinery & invoice funding

UK manufacturers can access asset finance (hire purchase or finance lease) for production machinery, robotic systems, and industrial equipment; invoice discounting or factoring to unlock cash from the sales ledger; business loans for expansion, tooling, or working capital; and commercial mortgages to purchase factory or warehouse premises. Sorbus Finance can consider options from its panel of 150+ UK lenders.

Production lines, robotic welding cells, and automated assembly systems are typically financed using hire purchase or finance lease, with the asset(s) acting as security. For complex multi-element installations, we can structure the finance to cover the full installation cost, including fitting, commissioning, and software, not just the hardware.

Yes. Invoice discounting is widely used in manufacturing, particularly where businesses have a high volume of B2B invoices on 30–90 day payment terms. It is confidential (customers are unaware), allows you to access up to 90% of invoice value immediately, and scales with your turnover as your business grows.

Yes. Collaborative robots (cobots), robotic welding cells, pick-and-place systems, and automated conveyor systems can all be financed. Many manufacturers use the productivity gains from automation to service the finance, effectively paying for the robot from the labour savings it generates.

Yes. Commercial mortgages are available for manufacturing facilities, warehouses, and industrial units, typically up to 70–75% LTV. Owner-occupied premises qualify for owner-occupier commercial mortgage rates, which are generally lower than investment property rates. We compare specialist commercial property lenders to find the best terms.

With hire purchase, the finance company buys the equipment and you make fixed monthly payments over an agreed term (typically 24–84 months). Once all payments are made, ownership passes to you. You may be able to claim capital allowances on the asset during the agreement period. Please confirm with your accountant. The equipment does not appear as a lease on your balance sheet.

Yes. Manufacturers with a strong trading history, clear financials, and profitable operations can access unsecured business loans (typically up to £250k) and secured loans (up to several million pounds, secured against property or assets). We can consider relevant lenders from our panel to identify potential options for your situation.