Equipment finance for IT, catering, medical & manufacturing — how our partners can help

Summary: Yes. UK Business Loans connects companies needing equipment with specialist lenders and brokers who commonly provide equipment finance for IT, catering, medical and manufacturing assets. Our network supports hire purchase, finance leases, vendor finance and asset refinance for transactions typically from £10,000 upwards. Complete a short enquiry and we’ll match you to lenders/brokers for a free eligibility check and fast quotes — Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check.

Quick summary — short answer

Short answer: Yes. Our introducer service connects businesses to lenders and brokers who can provide equipment finance for IT, catering, medical and manufacturing assets. The exact product, pricing and term depend on the asset type, its condition and life expectancy, your company profile and whether you want hire purchase, a finance lease, operating lease or asset refinance.

• Common finance types: Hire Purchase (HP), Finance Lease / Operating Lease, Chattel Mortgage, Asset Refinance and Vendor/OEM finance.
• Typical transaction values we place: £10,000 and upwards.

Get a Free Eligibility Check — it’s quick and no obligation.

What is equipment finance?

Equipment finance (also called asset finance) is a way to acquire business assets through borrowing or leasing rather than paying cash upfront. It helps businesses spread the cost over the usable life of the equipment while keeping working capital free for operations.

Common product types:

• Hire Purchase (HP) — you pay monthly instalments and own the asset at the end of the term (after any final payment).
• Finance Lease — the lender owns the asset and you lease it for a fixed term; purchase options vary at contract end.
• Operating Lease — shorter-term rental style arrangements with no ownership obligation.
• Chattel Mortgage / Asset Refinance — secured lending against the asset, useful for refinancing existing equipment.
• Vendor / OEM Finance — finance provided via the equipment supplier, often with tailored terms.

Benefits:

• Preserve cash and spread costs.
• Match repayments to the asset’s useful life.
• Access to specialist funding for sector-specific equipment.

Note: UK Business Loans is an introducer — we match enquiries to lenders and brokers. Any offer is made by the lender or broker and subject to their checks and terms.

Do our partners fund these sectors?

Below is a sector-by-sector view of how lenders and brokers commonly approach equipment finance, what to expect and what documents or checks are typical.

IT equipment finance

Typical items: laptops, desktops, servers, networking hardware, POS terminals, data centre equipment, printers, scanners and bundled software/hardware refresh programmes.

Common products: short-term and medium-term leases, hire purchase, vendor finance and IT refresh programmes. Finance for software licences is sometimes available via bundled financing with the hardware or as a subscription financing option.

Deal size & terms: many lenders handle smaller deals from around £10k up to £100k+; terms often 12–60 months. Quick, standard transactions can be approved in hours or days when assets are new and of common specification.

What lenders check: business turnover, company age, credit profile, VAT status, and how quickly the asset may become obsolete (rapid obsolescence can reduce term or increase rates).

Get Started — free IT equipment quote

Catering equipment finance

Typical items: ovens, refrigeration, coffee machines, extraction equipment, kitchen fit-outs, specialist food prep kit and counters.

Common products: hire purchase, finance lease, lease-to-own and fit-out finance that can include installation and commissioning costs.

Deal size & terms: from around £10k–£200k or more for full kitchen fit-outs; terms commonly 24–84 months depending on equipment life. Lenders often offer staged drawdowns for larger installations.

What lenders consider: whether equipment is new or used, supplier warranty, installation and maintenance plans, and the business’s trading sector (cafés, restaurants, caterers).

Get Quote Now — catering equipment

Medical equipment finance

Typical items: diagnostic scanners, X-ray and imaging, dental chairs, outpatient equipment, lab apparatus and specialist clinical machinery.

Common products: specialist asset finance, hire purchase, finance leases, vendor/OEM finance and VAT-sensitive structures (some medical equipment may qualify for different VAT treatments — check with your accountant).

Deal size & terms: often larger ticket sizes from £10k up to £1m+; terms typically 36–120 months to mirror longer useful lives. Lenders may require valuation, evidence of maintenance contracts, proof of qualified operators and robust insurance.

Extra considerations: regulatory compliance, servicing arrangements and traceability of equipment can influence approvals and residual valuations.

Free eligibility check — medical equipment

Manufacturing equipment finance

Typical items: CNC machines, presses, conveyors, packaging lines, robotics and production machinery.

Common products: asset finance, equipment refinance, hire purchase, vendor finance and structured funding for complex production lines.

Deal size & terms: deals can range from £10k to multi‑million pounds; typical terms 36–120 months depending on asset longevity and expected residual values.

What lenders look at: production capacity, contracts or order book, asset condition (new vs used), supplier relationships and potential resale value. Grants, capital allowances or R&D credits may also be relevant.

Get Quote Now — manufacturing equipment

What types of lenders & brokers do we match you with?

We introduce businesses to a broad panel of providers so you can find the best fit for your sector and asset:

• Specialist asset finance lenders that focus on sector-specific equipment.
• Commercial brokers who can shop multiple lenders to find competitive terms.
• Vendor / OEM finance teams that offer supplier-backed packages.
• High-street banks for larger or secured facilities.
• Alternative or near-prime lenders for faster decisions or complex profiles.

We match you based on asset type, sector, deal size and how quickly you need funding. Always ask any lender/broker you speak with for their regulatory details and full terms before signing.

Learn more about our broader business finance services and how they connect with equipment funding.

Typical terms, costs and eligibility

What affects pricing and terms:

• Asset age and condition (new assets usually secure better rates).
• Expected useful life and residual value.
• Company credit history, turnover and time trading.
• Deposit amount (0–30% depending on lender and risk).

Cost markers: deposit and fees vary by lender; APRs differ widely across products and credit profiles — all offers are subject to lender checks. Small, standard IT or catering deals can often be priced and approved quickly; larger or specialist medical/manufacturing transactions usually require valuations and can take longer.

Documents to prepare:

• Supplier quote or pro-forma invoice
• Latest company accounts or management accounts
• Proof of identity for directors
• VAT registration details (if applicable)

Start your free eligibility check — it typically takes 2 minutes to submit basic details.

Tax, accounting & asset ownership

High-level guidance: hire purchase typically allows ownership and capital allowances treatment; leases may be treated differently in accounts. VAT treatment depends on the asset and contract. Tax and accounting consequences vary — always speak to your accountant.

UK Business Loans does not provide tax or accounting advice; we will connect you with lenders/brokers who can explain product-specific implications.

Get matched with a specialist lender or broker

How UK Business Loans works — step-by-step

1. Complete a short enquiry form — it takes around 2 minutes and does not affect your credit score.
2. We match your request to a selection of suitable lenders and brokers.
3. Lenders/brokers contact you with quotes and next steps.
4. Compare offers and proceed directly with the lender or broker that best fits your needs.

Submitting an enquiry is a non-binding introduction; any finance is offered and agreed with the lender/broker.

Get Started — Free Quote

Alternatives & when to consider them

• Operating lease or rental — when you prefer off-balance-sheet use or short-term access.
• Invoice finance — if you need cash against unpaid invoices rather than buying equipment.
• Business loans or asset refinance — to consolidate or restructure existing capital.
• Grants or government schemes — sometimes available for energy-efficient machinery or R&D equipment.

Need help choosing? Start your enquiry and we’ll match you to specialists who can advise on options.

Frequently asked questions

Do UK Business Loans itself lend money?

No. We are an introducer — we connect you to lenders and brokers who provide finance. Any offer or contract will be with the lender or broker you choose to proceed with.

Can you finance used equipment?

Yes. Many partners finance used kit. Availability and terms depend on the equipment’s age, condition and anticipated resale value.

What documents do lenders usually need?

Lenders typically request supplier quotes/invoices, company accounts or management accounts, proof of ID for directors, and VAT registration details where applicable. Larger deals may need business plans and contracts.

How long does equipment finance take?

Small standard deals can be completed in hours–days. Specialist or larger transactions often take 1–6+ weeks due to valuations, inspections and legal checks.

Are interest rates fixed?

Some lenders offer fixed rates for the term; others use variable pricing or fees. Terms vary by provider — ask for full rate and fee details when you get a quote.

Do you charge a fee to match me?

No. Our service is free for business owners. Lenders or brokers may charge fees for their services and will disclose these as part of their quote.

Will applying affect my credit score?

No—submitting our enquiry does not affect your credit score. Lenders may carry out credit checks later if you choose to proceed with an application.

How do I know if a lender is FCA regulated?

Ask the lender or broker for their FCA registration number and verify it at https://register.fca.org.uk before accepting any regulated product or advice.

Next steps & compliance

Ready to get a fast, no-obligation quote? Complete our short enquiry and we’ll match you to lenders and brokers who specialise in your equipment and sector. Submitting an enquiry is free and non-binding; any finance agreement is between you and the lender/broker you choose.

Important: UK Business Loans is an introducer; we do not lend or provide regulated financial advice. All offers are subject to lenders’ checks and terms. By submitting your details you consent to us sharing them with selected lenders and brokers to obtain quotes. Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check.

Privacy & data: we handle your information securely—see our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions for full details.

---

1. Do UK Business Loans itself lend money? — No, UK Business Loans is an introducer that connects you to lenders and brokers who provide business loans and equipment finance.
2. What types of equipment finance can I get for IT, catering, medical or manufacturing kit? — Common options include Hire Purchase, Finance Leases (including operating leases), Chattel Mortgage/asset refinance and vendor/OEM finance tailored to sector-specific equipment.
3. How much can I borrow for equipment or asset finance? — Our partners typically fund transactions from around £10,000 up to multi‑million pounds depending on the asset and sector.
4. Can start‑ups or businesses with imperfect credit get equipment finance? — Yes — we match you with specialist and near‑prime lenders who consider start‑ups and businesses with non‑perfect credit histories.
5. How quickly will I get quotes and funding? — Small, standard deals can produce quotes and approvals in hours–days, while larger or specialist transactions usually take 1–6+ weeks for valuations and checks.
6. Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score? — No — submitting our short enquiry is a non‑binding introduction and does not affect your credit score, although lenders may run checks later if you apply.
7. What documents do lenders normally require for equipment finance? — Lenders commonly ask for supplier quotes/pro‑forma invoices, recent company accounts or management accounts, director ID and VAT registration details.
8. Is the UK Business Loans matching service free? — Yes — our service and free eligibility check are provided at no cost to business owners, though lenders or brokers may disclose fees in their quotes.
9. How does equipment finance affect tax and accounting? — Treatment varies by product—hire purchase usually allows capital allowances and ownership, while leases can be treated differently in accounts—so always consult your accountant.
10. How can I check a lender or broker is FCA‑regulated and trustworthy? — Request their FCA registration number and verify it on the FCA register (https://register.fca.org.uk) before accepting any regulated product or advice.