Manufacturing Businesses
Buying a manufacturer?
Machinery, contracts and skilled people. Lenders understand all three.
An established manufacturing business brings tangible assets — machinery, premises, stock — alongside customer contracts and a skilled workforce. Specialist lenders can lend against both the assets and the trading income, which often makes these purchases more financeable than buyers expect. Generalist lenders may only see the risk.
What lenders look at
Lenders focus on the order book and customer contracts, how concentrated revenue is among the largest customers, gross margins, the age and value of the plant and machinery, and whether the business owns or leases its premises. A professional valuation of the equipment can significantly strengthen the application.
Your background matters too. Experience in manufacturing, engineering or operations management reassures lenders, as does a plan to keep key staff and customer relationships through the handover.
How we help
We are brokers, not lenders. We combine business loans, asset finance and commercial mortgages into a single funding structure, package the application and manage the process through to completion.
Where a deal suits it, we can look at government-backed lending schemes, which can support businesses with limited security.
Tell us about the business you've found.
01 — Who we help
Buyers of established manufacturers
First-time buyers
experienced managers buying the business they know, or one like it.
Management buy-outs
a team buying the business from its retiring owner.
Existing manufacturers
adding capacity, products or customers through acquisition.
Investors
acquiring a manufacturer with a strong management team in place.
02 — The opportunity
What kind of manufacturer?
We arrange finance for established manufacturers across food and drink, metal and plastics, printing and packaging, furniture, textiles and more.
Contract manufacturers
businesses with long-standing contracts from established customers give lenders visible, repeatable income.
Own-product manufacturers
a recognised product range with trade customers and distributors offers several income streams.
Food and drink producers
often supplying retailers and food service, with accreditations that add value and protect the income.
Asset-heavy businesses
where machinery is valuable, asset finance can fund part of the purchase against the equipment itself.
Freehold premises
if the business owns its factory or unit, a commercial mortgage can fund the property alongside the business purchase.
Leasehold premises
a long, secure lease supports the deal. We know which lenders are comfortable with industrial leases.
03 — The transaction
What can be funded?
Business purchase and goodwill
Freehold factory or unit
Leasehold premises
Plant, machinery and equipment
Working capital and stock
Not every element can be funded on every deal. We give you an honest view of what is achievable before you commit.
04 — The lender's view
What does a lender need to see?
Lenders need a professional application that shows the business is viable, the borrowing is affordable and the repayments are secure — including the customer base, the order book and the condition of the assets.
We build it around the iLendi Six™.
Read more05 — The funding
How much can you borrow?
The amount depends on the purchase price, the business's profits, your deposit, the value of the plant and property included, and your experience.
For manufacturers, lenders look closely at customer concentration, contract terms, equipment valuations and the cost of keeping machinery maintained and up to date.
We match the structure to the deal, not the other way round.
06 — The completion
Quietly arranged
Three chapters between you and the keys.
01
The Discovery
you tell us about the business; we tell you honestly what's fundable.
02
The Finance
we package the application and find the right lender.
03
The Completion
we stay with you through legal work to completion.
Common questions
Questions buyers ask us
Can machinery help fund the purchase?+
Often, yes. Where plant and equipment have real value, asset finance can be arranged against them, reducing the amount needed from a business loan or your deposit. A professional equipment valuation usually helps.
How much deposit is typical?+
It depends on how much of the price is property, equipment and goodwill. Businesses with valuable assets can sometimes be bought with a smaller deposit. We'll give you an honest figure at the first conversation.
What if one customer provides most of the income?+
Lenders will look carefully at that contract and how secure it is. It doesn't rule a deal out, but it needs presenting well, and we know which lenders will consider it.
How long does arranging finance take?+
Indicative terms can often follow within days of a complete application. Completion usually takes several weeks, depending on due diligence, valuations and legal work.
Are you a lender?+
No. iLendi Capital is a commercial finance broker. We arrange finance with lenders and don't lend ourselves.
Keep exploring
Related businesses we fund
Related businesses we fund.
Found your manufacturer?
Let's find the finance.
Begin your funding process
Start with a conversation.
Tell us what you want to buy and an experienced funding specialist will call you back same day to discuss how we can help.
Other ways to contact us
Send an email:enquiries@ilendicapital.co.ukCall us: +44 (0)20 3488 8126We'll open WhatsApp with: "Hello iLendi Capital — I'm looking at buying a business and would like to talk."