Quick answer: are we the lender?

Short answer: UK Business Loans is an introducer — not a lender. We do not provide funds or regulated financial advice. Instead, we match engineering businesses with specialist lenders and experienced brokers who can offer machinery finance, working capital, invoice finance and other solutions. Complete our short enquiry to receive a free eligibility check and quick, no‑obligation lender matches: Get a Free Quote — 2-minute enquiry.

What “introducer” means (for engineering business owners)

An introducer acts as a matchmaker. We collect basic details about your company and funding needs, then share that information with selected lenders or brokers who may be able to help. The lender (or broker working on your behalf) is the organisation that provides funding and issues any contract. UK Business Loans does not underwrite loans, hold funds, or decide lending terms.

Key distinctions:

• Introducer: Connects your business to lenders/brokers, screens initial eligibility and speeds up the search for suitable finance options.
• Broker: May manage applications, negotiate terms and submit paperwork to lenders; often offers advisory services (may be regulated).
• Lender: Provides the actual capital and sets the final rate, term and security requirements.

For sector-specific detail, see our industry page on engineering business loans which explains common products for engineering firms.

Why this matters for engineering firms

Using an introducer can save time and broaden the number of options available to your business. Engineering firms often need specialist products — for example, asset finance tied to CNC machines or invoice finance for subcontracting work. Not every high-street bank understands these needs or the value of workshop machinery as security.

Pros & cons of using an introducer vs approaching lenders directly:

• Pros: faster market access, matches to specialist lenders, less administrative effort, free service for businesses, improved chance of relevant offers.
• Cons: you will be contacted by third-party lenders/brokers; introducer does not set terms or guarantee approval.

Free Eligibility Check — complete a short enquiry so we can match you with lenders who specialise in engineering finance.

How UK Business Loans works for engineering enquiries

Step-by-step

1. Complete a short enquiry form — tells us about your company, funding amount (we typically handle enquiries for £10,000 and above), purpose and contact details (takes around 2 minutes).
2. Initial matching — we screen your details against our panel to find lenders or brokers experienced with engineering and manufacturing finance.
3. Introductions — selected lenders/brokers contact you directly with quotes, indicative terms or next steps (often within hours during business days).
4. Compare and decide — you choose which offer to proceed with; the lender/broker handles the full application and any credit checks.

Important: the enquiry is not an application for credit — it’s information to help match you with providers. For a fast start, Get Quote Now.

Typical types of finance available to engineering businesses

Engineering companies commonly use a mix of the following finance types depending on project, scale and cashflow timing.

Asset finance / machinery finance

Used to buy or upgrade plant and machinery (e.g., CNC machines, lathes). Options include leasing, hire‑purchase and finance leases. Good for preserving working capital while spreading cost.

Equipment finance / tooling finance

Funding for specialist tooling, jigs, presses or production-line upgrades. Lenders often accept the equipment itself as security.

Working capital & business loans

Short to medium-term loans to bridge cashflow between invoices or to fund a contract. Can be unsecured, asset-backed, or supported by company directors.

Invoice finance / factoring

Release cash tied up in unpaid invoices so you can pay suppliers and staff while waiting for client payments — useful for subcontractors and OEM suppliers with long payment terms.

Commercial property & development finance

For businesses buying or developing premises, workshop expansions or factory conversions.

Green / sustainability finance

Specialist lending for energy-efficient upgrades (e.g., low-energy plant, solar PV, EV chargers) that may offer preferential terms.

If you’re unsure which product fits your project, submit a short enquiry and we’ll match you with experts who can advise: Get a Free Quote.

What lenders will look at when assessing engineering businesses

Lenders assess risk and affordability. Typical eligibility factors include:

• Company trading history and structure (limited companies and PLCs are typical clients).
• Annual turnover and recent profitability.
• Existing contractual pipeline or orders backlog (strong for contract-led engineering businesses).
• Credit history and director personal credit where appropriate.
• The nature, age and condition of assets offered as security (machinery valuation).
• Purpose of funds and projected cashflow.

Documents commonly requested: company accounts, management accounts, recent invoices, purchase orders or contracts, asset lists with serial numbers and quotes for new equipment. Preparing these in advance speeds up the quoting process.

Benefits of using UK Business Loans as an introducer for engineering finance

• Access to multiple specialist lenders and brokers without searching individually.
• Faster initial screening — fewer wasted applications.
• Free, no‑obligation service to compare options.
• Practical matches to lenders who understand engineering asset life cycles and contract-driven cashflow.

Real-world example (anonymised)

Case: A Midlands engineering SME needed a replacement CNC lathe quickly to fulfil a large order. After submitting an enquiry, the business was introduced to an asset finance specialist and received an indicative hire‑purchase quote within 48 hours, allowing them to secure the machine and fulfil the contract on time.

Frequently asked questions

Are you the lender?

No. UK Business Loans is an introducer that connects engineering businesses with specialist lenders and brokers. We do not provide the funds or regulated financial advice.

Does using UK Business Loans cost anything?

No. Our enquiry and matching service is free for businesses. We generate revenue from selected partners when an enquiry becomes a lead, so there is no charge to you to receive matches.

Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?

Submitting our short enquiry does not perform a credit check and will not affect your credit score. A lender or broker may carry out checks later if you decide to proceed.

How quickly will I get a response?

Often within hours during normal business hours. Response times depend on the complexity of the request and lender availability.

What happens after I submit the form?

We screen your details and share them with one or more lenders/brokers who match your needs. They will contact you directly with quotes or next steps.

Can companies with adverse credit or limited trading history apply?

Yes — some lenders specialise in higher-risk cases or younger companies. We’ll match you to the most relevant options where feasible, but offers are subject to individual lender criteria.

Is my data secure and how is it used?

We only share the details you provide with selected lender/broker partners to obtain quotes. You can read our full Privacy Policy for how we handle personal and company data.

Compliance & transparency

Important: UK Business Loans is not a lender and does not provide regulated financial advice. We act as an introducer and will share your enquiry with selected lenders and brokers who may contact you about quotes. Our service is free to use. For regulated financial advice you must speak to an FCA‑authorised adviser.

Submitting the enquiry form is not an application for credit — it’s a way to get matched and receive indicative quotes. Learn more in our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

How to get started

Ready to explore engineering finance options? The enquiry takes around two minutes. We’ll ask for basic company details, turnover band, funding amount required (we handle loans and facilities from about £10,000 upwards), and the purpose of funding.

Get Started — Free Eligibility Check and expect contact from appropriate lenders/brokers quickly.

Final summary

To answer the question plainly: for engineering business finance, UK Business Loans is an introducer — not a lender. We speed up your search for the right finance by matching engineering businesses to specialist lenders and brokers. Use our short, free enquiry to get matched and receive quotes: Get Quote Now.