Cashflow & Working Capital Loans for Engineering & Manufacturing
Short answer: Yes — working capital and cashflow finance for engineering and manufacturing businesses are available via UK Business Loans. We introduce UK engineering and manufacturing companies (minimum funding from £10,000) to lenders and brokers who specialise in sector-specific cashflow solutions and can provide no‑obligation quotes. Start a Free Eligibility Check to get matched quickly.
We are an introducer — not a lender or financial adviser. Submitting an enquiry won’t affect your credit score. We’ll match you with suitable lenders and brokers for a free, no‑obligation quote.
Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check
What are cashflow / working capital loans?
Cashflow or working capital finance is short- to medium-term funding designed to smooth the gap between business outgoings (payroll, suppliers, materials) and incoming cash (invoices, contract payments). In engineering and manufacturing this type of finance keeps production running while waiting for customer payment or helps win new work that requires supplier pre‑payments.
Common forms of working capital finance relevant to engineering and manufacturing include:
- Unsecured or secured short-term business loans
- Invoice finance and factoring (advance on unpaid invoices)
- Asset finance for machinery and equipment
- Revolving credit facilities and overdrafts
- Merchant cash advances (receipts-based)
- Contract finance / progress payment bridging for large jobs
Are working capital loans for engineering and manufacturing available through UK Business Loans?
Yes. UK Business Loans is a specialist introducer that connects engineering and manufacturing businesses with lenders and brokers who provide working capital and cashflow solutions. We don’t lend directly — instead we match your business to the partners on our panel who understand industrial supply chains, contract billing, plant and machinery finance, and the seasonal cashflow patterns common in manufacturing.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
How it works in practice:
- You complete a short enquiry (takes around 2 minutes).
- We match you to a small selection of lenders/brokers with relevant experience.
- Those partners contact you with tailored eligibility checks or quotes.
We commonly arrange introductions for funding from £10,000 upwards, covering routine working capital to larger bridging and asset purchases.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Typical loan types & solutions our partners can offer engineering and manufacturing firms
Different problems need different products. Below are the most common solutions we connect manufacturers and engineering firms to, with practical use-cases.
Short-term working capital loans
Quick access to cash for immediate needs such as payroll or urgent supplier payments. These can be unsecured or secured depending on lender and business profile.
Invoice finance / factoring
Release cash tied up in invoices (useful for businesses with long payment terms or public-sector contracts). Often used to fund growth without taking on long-term debt.
Asset finance
Borrow against new or used machinery, or fund purchases via hire purchase/lease structures so you can upgrade production lines without a large upfront outlay.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Merchant cash advance
Advance against future sales receipts — useful for manufacturers with predictable card/transaction volumes or for trade counter sales.
Overdrafts & revolving credit
Flexible short-term borrowing for day-to-day liquidity management.
Contract/retention finance and progress payment bridging
Bridge stages of a contract where payments are held on retention or paid on long terms; helps fulfil large jobs without tying up working capital.
For more on sector-specific cash solutions see our page on cashflow loans.
Who can apply? Eligibility & what lenders look for
UK Business Loans generally introduces limited companies, LLPs and established manufacturing or engineering businesses. We do not arrange funding for sole traders or certain professional loans.
Typical lender criteria include:
- Trading history (many lenders prefer at least 12 months trading)
- Annual turnover and bank statement evidence
- Contract pipeline, purchase orders or proof of recurring revenue
- Director/owner credit profiles (varies by lender)
- Type and value of security available (business assets, plant, property)
Some specialist lenders on our panel will consider businesses with adverse credit or limited trading history, but terms vary — an introductory match helps you see realistic options quickly.
Typical loan sizes, terms, security & rates
Ranges depend on the product and lender. Typical examples:
- Loan sizes: from around £10,000 up to several hundred thousand pounds (and higher via specialist facilities)
- Invoice finance: often used from c.£30k receivables upward
- Asset finance: structured to cover full or part purchase price of machinery, from small items to multi‑hundred-thousand purchases
- Terms: short-term bridging (30 days–12 months), medium-term loans (1–5 years), asset finance (2–7 years)
- Security: unsecured facilities exist, but secured lending is common — against plant, stock, property or via personal guarantees
Rates and fees vary widely by product, lender risk appetite and your business profile. Expect lenders to provide personalised quotes once matched — this gives the most accurate picture of cost and structure.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
How engineers & manufacturers typically use cashflow loans
Practical, real-world examples:
- Buying raw materials to fulfil a large contract that requires supplier pre‑payment
- Covering payroll when a major invoice is unpaid or slow to clear
- Funding a new production line or purchasing crucial equipment via asset finance
- Bridging progress payments or retention on construction/manufacturing contracts
- Managing seasonal demand and stocking up for peak periods
Other options & when to choose them
Choosing the right product matters. A few typical comparisons:
- Invoice finance vs short-term loan: invoice finance suits businesses with large unpaid receivables; short-term loans suit one-off needs.
- Asset finance vs cash loan: asset finance spreads the cost of equipment and often preserves working capital.
- Overdraft vs revolving credit: overdrafts are flexible day-to-day buffers; revolving credit lines are for larger, predictable drawdowns.
- Trade finance: useful where imports/exports are involved and letters of credit or supplier finance is required.
We match you to specialists so you can compare the right options for your purpose.
The application process with UK Business Loans
- Complete a short enquiry form (under 2 minutes).
- We match you to 2–4 vetted lenders/brokers who specialise in manufacturing/engineering finance.
- Lenders contact you with an eligibility check and tailored quote.
- Compare offers and proceed directly with the lender you choose.
Typical response times: initial contact often within hours; formal offers and funding depend on product complexity (from days for simple loans to weeks for larger or secured facilities).
What documents & information you’ll need
- Company registration details and VAT number (if applicable)
- Recent business bank statements (typically last 6–12 months)
- Management accounts, VAT returns or historic accounts
- Recent invoices, purchase orders or contract documents
- Asset valuations or equipment quotes (for asset finance)
- Director ID and contact details
Exact requirements depend on lender and product — preparing these in advance speeds the process.
Tips to improve your chances
- Keep business bank accounts tidy and explain any large transfers.
- Gather customer contracts, POs and proof of ongoing work to show pipeline strength.
- Separate personal and business finances where possible.
- Consider offering business assets as security to access better terms.
- Be transparent about past credit issues — lenders prefer clarity to surprises.
Risks, fees & compliance
Working capital finance helps operations but carries risks. Consider:
- Fees, arrangement charges and interest that vary by product and risk profile.
- Security and personal guarantees — these can put personal assets at risk.
- The potential cost of rolling short-term finance repeatedly.
Always read lender terms carefully. UK Business Loans is an introducer — we do not provide regulated financial advice. If you need regulated advice, consider speaking to an authorised adviser before proceeding.
Frequently asked questions
Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No — an initial short enquiry for matching does not affect your credit score. Lenders may carry out full credit checks only if you proceed with an application.
How quickly will a lender contact me?
Often within a few hours during business days. Full approvals depend on the product, documentation supplied and whether security or valuations are needed.
Can I get funding with poor credit?
Some specialist lenders consider businesses with adverse credit, but rates and terms can be less favourable. A free eligibility check will identify realistic possibilities for your situation.
What’s the cheapest option for seasonal manufacturing cashflow?
It depends. Invoice finance or an arranged overdraft can be efficient for seasonal gaps; asset finance wouldn’t be suitable unless buying equipment. Compare options to find the best fit.
Do you charge for matching?
No — UK Business Loans’ service is free for business owners. Lenders or brokers may charge fees if funding proceeds; these should be disclosed as part of any offer.
Ready to explore working capital options for your engineering or manufacturing business?
Yes — working capital loans for engineering and manufacturing are available. Complete our short enquiry for a free eligibility check and we’ll match you to lenders and brokers who can provide tailored quotes.
Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check
Free & no obligation. We are an introducer, not a lender or regulated adviser.
1. Are cashflow and working capital loans available for engineering and manufacturing businesses?
Yes — UK Business Loans introduces engineering and manufacturing companies to lenders and brokers who offer sector‑specific cashflow and working capital finance from around £10,000 upwards.
2. How do I start a free eligibility check and will it affect my credit score?
Complete the short online enquiry (under 2 minutes) to get matched to suitable lenders — the enquiry is not a credit application and won’t affect your credit score.
3. What types of working capital finance are best for manufacturers and engineers?
Common solutions include invoice finance/factoring, short‑term working capital loans, asset finance for machinery, overdrafts/revolving credit, merchant cash advances and contract/progress‑payment bridging.
4. How much can I borrow and what repayment terms should I expect?
Funding typically ranges from about £10,000 to several hundred thousand (and higher via specialist facilities) with terms from 30 days for bridging to 2–7 years for asset finance, depending on the product.
5. Can I get funding if my business has poor credit or limited trading history?
Some specialist lenders on our panel will consider adverse credit or limited trading, but terms and rates vary so a free eligibility check will show realistic options.
6. What documents will lenders usually ask for when applying for cashflow finance?
Expect company registration details, recent business bank statements (6–12 months), management accounts or historic accounts, invoices/POs/contracts, asset quotes or valuations, and director ID/contact details.
7. How quickly will lenders or brokers contact me and how fast can I get funded?
Lenders or brokers often make initial contact within hours of your enquiry, with formal offers and funding ranging from a few days for simple products to several weeks for secured or complex facilities.
8. Will I need to provide security or personal guarantees for working capital loans?
Security and personal guarantees are common for better rates and larger facilities, though unsecured options exist for smaller or lower‑risk deals depending on the lender.
9. What costs and fees should I expect with cashflow and working capital finance?
Costs vary by product and risk profile but commonly include interest, arrangement fees, facility fees and possible invoice/factoring charges, so always review lender terms before proceeding.
10. How do I choose between invoice finance, asset finance and a short‑term loan for my cashflow needs?
Select invoice finance if you need to release money tied up in receivables, asset finance to spread equipment costs, and short‑term loans or overdrafts for one‑off liquidity — use our matching service to compare tailored options.