Tag: Finance Your Equipment (page 1 of 3)

Tractor Finance UK

Asset Finance focused on you from Richmond Asset Finance

We know how important it is for your business to have access to the right equipment and machinery. But we also know that it can be difficult to purchase these vital resources without making a significant dent in your working capital. Our Asset Finance department at Richmond Asset Finance can help you find the right solution for you and your business. We offer a comprehensive range of finance options, flexible repayment terms and competitive rates.

What is Asset Finance?

Asset Finance is a loan that you can take out to buy or hire assets that your business requires to succeed. This can cover a wide range of equipment, but in agriculture this is primarily machinery.

How will Asset Finance help my business?

Asset finance is an alternative way of purchasing equipment, rather than borrowing from your bank. You can start using the asset straight away without having to find a large lump sum to put down, and you can pay back the cost of the machine over a flexible repayment plan that suits your business cash flow. Put the machine to work straight away and it is starting to payback its cost.

There are a number of types of asset finance contracts some will suit your business more than others. These include:

Hire Purchase

Hire Purchase agreements involve you paying an initial deposit followed by fixed term instalments for the agreed term of the loan after which the asset becomes yours. Instalments are arranged to suit your cash flow, eg, monthly, quarterly or annually.

Finance Lease

This is very similar to hire purchase but the VAT is paid on the instalments rather than in full up front. The customer does not automatically own the asset at the end of the agreement.

Plant Hire & Machinery Specialists UK

PLANT HIRE FOR ANY SITUATION FROM RICHMOND ASSET FINANCE.

At Richmond Asset Finance, we specialise in sourcing and funding plant and machinery hire for companies across the UK. Whether your company needs to hire diggers, excavators, dumpers or any other heavy-duty equipment, our expert team can help create a tailored financial package for even the most complex payment structures. 

Plant hire through a broker allows companies to focus on what they do best while still receiving the most competitive pricing on their funding.

As one of the leading independently owned Asset Finance companies in the UK based in Yorkshire, we are experienced in providing plant hire for a range of companies. We take pride in building long-term relationships with our clients and lenders to achieve the very best rates and giving the best advice to all of our clients. Get in contact with us below to find out how we can help you.

PLANT HIRE & MACHINERY FINANCING OPTIONS

Depending on your companies circumstances, we can offer a wide range of tailored financial solutions for your company. Each product has its benefits so it’s important to choose the right one for your asset financing.

Some of the financial options available include:

  • Hire Purchase (HP)
  • Finance Lease
  • Refinancing

If you’d like to receive a quote, or just have a question about asset financing, get in touch with us through the contact form below.

Farm Finance Near Me

Richmond Asset Finance are one of the most reputable sources of agricultural and farm finance in the North West. We are experts in farm finance and all agricultural funding.

Richmond Asset Finance is an all embracing term we use to describe all types of farm and agricultural finance we offer to the rural and country business sectors and which can also be described as Agricultural Finance, Equestrian Finance, Farm Finance, Land Finance and Horticultural Finance. Finance can be provided for holiday complexes, caravan parks, caravan sites, properties with agricultural restrictions, land, buildings, working farms, non-working farms, nurseries, garden centres, smallholdings, estates, fisheries, farm shops and generally all types of rural type situations.

What is the purpose of farm finance?

Any legal purposes including but not being limited to repaying debt, repayment of an overdraft, diversification, working capital, business start ups, reducing outgoings, purchases of any kind and development of property or development of business.

Richmond Asset Finance completely understand farm finance, rural & agricultural funding. You can be assured of a personal and expert service at all times. Every case is handled personally by one of the partners. One of our main aims is to reassure you that you never become a just a ‘number’. It also helps that we have a lengthy and healthy relationships with our lenders.

Richmond Asset Finance are one of the most reputable sources of rural & farm finance in the UK. We guide and advise you throughout your application process, making sure your individual needs and circumstances always come first. Although we co-operate with a diverse range of banks and financial institutions, we are above all, independent. This means we always tailor a solution that best meets your requirements, not the banks We provide farm finance and refinance solutions, bridging finance packages, impartial advice, support and a level of customer service envied by our competitors.

What sorts of asset finance are there?

There are several types of asset finance and a few minor variations. Each has its uses, benefits and disadvantages but all broadly follow the principles of asset finance given above. A general overview of what’s available follows:

Hire purchase

This is a very similar model to hire purchase for individuals. The hire purchase provider retains ownership of the asset to be leased over the term of the agreement and leases it to the business for agreed regular fixed payments. Businesses may make a larger initial payment followed by smaller payments on an agreed schedule. At the end of the agreed period, the business can choose to buy ownership of the item outright with a further payment.

Finance lease (or capital lease)

This differs from some other asset finance in that the business is only ever renting the assets concerned. Again, payment is made with regular payments to an agreed schedule. This normally lasts until the finance provider has recouped the purchase value of the asset. In some instances, the finance company may allow the business to share in a percentage of the sale value of an item once it has been sold. The business does not have the option to purchase the asset outright.

Tax-wise, it may be possible for a business to offset the rental payments against their profits. However, this is not possible with long funding leases. The finance company retains the right to any capital allowances, but the business can reclaim VAT.

Asset refinancing

There are basically two forms of asset refinancing: the first is simply using a company’s assets (physical or otherwise) as security against a loan.

The second – more properly called asset-based lending – is where a business sells an asset to asset finance provider for an agreed lump sum. The business then leases back the asset sold from the finance provider – thus repaying the lump sum paid.

Asset refinancing differs from a simple secured loan in that a business can use physical assets they may only partially own as collateral, but only up to the level of equity they have in that item.

Contract hire

This form of asset financing relates to vehicles only. A business wishing to expand its fleet will approach a contract hire provider who will source the vehicle(s) required. The business pays a regular amount over the agreed leasing period.

Maintenance and servicing costs remain the responsibility of the provider, rather than the business. For larger companies with multiple vehicles fleet management services may also be included in the base contract hire costs.

Contract hire (also sometimes referred to as vehicle asset finance) carries the benefit of relieving a business of the time and budget-consuming tasks that accompany normal vehicle ownership. The provider is responsible for finding and buying a new vehicle, as well as all maintenance and servicing costs. At the end of the leasing period, the provider also assumes responsibility for the disposal of the vehicle.

Farm machinery finance options through Richmond Asset Finance

Richmond Asset Finance are pleased to announce that we offer a wide range of financial payment facilities on most of our new and used tractors and farm machinery.

We offer agricultural and farm machinery finance across the UK. Richmond Asset Finance’s success is reliant on its specialist service and preserving a competitive edge in a very competitive industry. We ensure that our interest rates are monitored regularly so that they remain at the sharp end of the market.

We can provide finance for a wide variety of agricultural assets, from cultivators, tractors and combine harvesters to livestock, robotic milking machines and crop sprayers, and we’ll guide you through every part of the agriculture finance process. 

Having helped thousands of farm owners achieve business growth, we can help you with a tailored flexible agriculture finance funding solution from £10,000 to £500,000. We’ll even take the seasonality of your business into account when tailoring your payment plan.

Speak to one of our specialists today for more information.

Plant & Machinery Financing Solutions from Richmond Asset Finance

The investment in effective agricultural plant machinery is essential for farmers and and contractors within the construction industry, in order to raise working capital and boost growth.

Construction and agricultural refinance releases funding when your business needs it more by advancing cash against uncertified applications for payment or staged invoices, which gives a safety net for finances, meaning businesses are no longer held back from making staff and supplier payments or taking on projects due to delayed payments. This innovative funding solution for the construction industry is sustainable and practical for all involved, providing pre-payments against applications and milestones for sub-contractors in which contracts with customers often create a barrier to traditional financing and refinancing options.

Through our construction finance solutions, our team at Richmond Asset Finance can help ensure your business and farm has a regular cash flow in addition to raising more capital for you to work with, which in turn will make it easier to run your business, pay staff, cover overheads and increase turnover. Not only this, but should you need to purchase new assets to enable the highest standard of service for your customers, construction finance can allow you to do so.

We provide construction finance and refinance for a range of different construction machinery and yellow plant.

Contact us today for more information.

What industries/sectors use equipment loans?

There’s an almost limitless amount of industries and sectors eligible for equipment finance. We can help you find equipment finance for:

Agriculture and farming

Buses, coaches, cars, vans, trucks and haulage

Finance for a garage or mechanic

Manufacturing and heavy industry

Racking warehouse equipment and shelving

How do I get an equipment loan?

One of the advantages of equipment loans with Richmond Asset Finance is that, if you’re eligible, they are quick to get.

This is great news for businesses that can’t wait weeks or months to purchase, replace or repair critical equipment. You can use Richmond Asset Finance to find a suitable equipment loan. 

What are the benefits of equipment finance?

There are many reasons you might choose equipment finance rather than paying up front out of your business’s coffers. Here are four of the best:

Tax efficiency

Some types of equipment finance like equipment leasing and sale and leaseback are more tax efficient than buying outright. That’s because when you lease an item it’s a monthly expense rather than an asset sitting on your balance sheet.

Easy to budget and manage

Equipment finance in most of its forms gives you predictable payments so you can spread the cost over time. That means that managing cashflow is that little bit simpler, and you can focus on running the business.

Flexibility and scalability

If you finance one piece of equipment and your business starts growing, you can get more items quickly without a large outlay. Whether you’re ramping up production using a new piece of state-of-the-art kit, or getting hold of extra vehicles for expanding logistics, equipment finance is a great way to grow your business.

Access to other lines of credit

One of the often forgotten but important reasons to finance equipment rather than buy it outright is access to other lines of credit. For similar reasons as tax efficiency, equipment finance is usually a predictable monthly expense, which means you can get another type of business finance alongside it. This is a huge advantage for some businesses — you could get the equipment you need, and take out a business loan for marketing, for example.

What is the importance of finance in agriculture?

Farmers have been getting squeezed over the years often experiencing lower margins on their produce.

Whereas, the cost of operating a farm requires cash injections for a variety of reasons, such as,  allowing farmers to replace machinery, invest in new efficient energy power, build new stores, purchase cattle etc.

For most farmers, accessing finance through traditional lenders such as banks is becoming more difficult and time consuming.

Using a specialist agriculture finance broker such as Richmond Asset Finance, can offer farmers preferential rates and flexible arrangements – and often much quicker.

Why should you finance your Agricultural Equipment?

Richmond Asset Finance are dedicated to all your agricultural needs, including financing your farm machinery and agricultural equipment.

At Richmond Asset Finance we are dedicated to helping you invest in the productivity and future growth of your farm through good and bad times.

We provide you with easy to understand and affordable financing solutions that can be adapted to your circumstances. So whether you are an arable or livestock farmer, whether big or small, we have the financing solution for you.

We do more than simply provide financing, we build long-term relationships through trust.

Finance Lease

Although you never gain ownership of the equipment, a finance lease is similar to hire purchase in that you make regular fixed repayments over an agreed period, fully paying the cost of the equipment. A key difference though, is that VAT is payable on each lease payment rather than paying the full VAT due on the equipment at the outset of the agreement. At the end of the primary leasing period a nominal ‘secondary lease period’ annual payment is charged for continued use of the equipment. Alternatively you can arrange for the equipment to be sold to an unrelated third party for which you will receive the full sales proceeds.

Another key difference to the hire purchase option is that whilst you cannot claim capital allowances, you may be able to offset the lease repayments against any taxable profit.

You are responsible for the maintenance and insurance of the equipment.

Key benefits of Finance Lease:

  • The certainty of fixed term finance which can be withdrawn only if you do not keep to the terms and conditions of the contract.
  • The regular nature of repayments, and fixed interest rate, makes budgeting easier.
  • A cost effective way to fund your use of the equipment by spreading rentals over a fixed term.
  • Enhanced business cash flow with the ability to spread VAT across the life of the lease agreement.
  • A straightforward form of leasing which leaves you in a position to control the used equipment value.

Tip for farm crime prevention

When winter is approaching and clocks go back an hour as British Summer Time officially ends, it is a good time for farmers to review their security.

Farms in the autumn and winter months are dark and secluded places and can prove an inviting target for thieves who will be looking to steal farm vehicles, fuel, tools and equipment.

Statistically, October and November are the two months of the year when police receive more reports of burglary than at any other time.

With their isolated countryside locations, farmhouses, outbuildings, barns, garages and sheds are all prey for would-be rural thieves, who use modern technology including drones, Google Earth and sat navs to pinpoint their entry and escape routes.

But there are a variety of measures you can take to protect your property, land and livestock and discourage potential thieves.

Fuel

Fuel thieves often target farms under the cover of darkness when they are able to drain tanks within minutes if they are not properly protected.

Thieves use anything from basic plastic tubes to pumping apparatus to siphon off hundreds of litres of red diesel from tanks and farm machinery, causing huge financial loss and inconvenience for farmers.

Tip

To prevent theft, fit fuel bowsers with wheel clamps or hitch locks. Tanks should be housed in a secure location – within a shed (in line with regulations) or in a compound, such as a locked metal cage.

Consider fitting a remote fuel monitoring gauge and alarm system. Install movement sensors, CCTV and lighting around the tank.

Store machinery inside sheds using layers of security and ensure tractors are locked up at night. If machines must be kept outside, park with fuel caps against a fence or wall.

Lighting and CCTV cameras

Isolated farm buildings down dark lanes are easy for thieves to approach and hide in the darkness. Make sure you light up areas in and around your home and buildings.

Tip

Motion-sensor security lighting and CCTV cameras are a good crime prevention and detection tool. Thieves don’t want to be seen.

Install lighting and CCTV in access locations, vulnerable areas and around the perimeter of farm buildings, yards and houses. Consider audible and monitored intruder alarm systems.

With improving technology in this area and a reduction in the cost of CCTV systems, they can be bought for fairly modest sums. Many suppliers offer subscription services with text alert systems linked to mobile phones, tablets or computers, allowing you to monitor the farm 24/7 from anywhere in the world.

Farmers are embracing new technology involving infrared beams that set off voice warning systems and relay live footage to mobile phones.

The funds your farm needs to grow with Richmond Asset Finance

Richmond Asset Finance are a consultant lender in Manchester, here to help your business survive, thrive and grow.

We offer a range of flexible funding solutions to allow you to upgrade or invest in new equipment, or release cash from your company’s existing assets. The decisions we make are not based on whether we have been able to tick a series of boxes on a form, or whether your situation neatly fits into a category that suits us. What your business needs will always come first.

How can asset finance Manchester help your business?

Whether you’re looking to fund new vehicles for your farm, equipment or machinery for your farm, enable expansion plans, consolidate debts or provide an injection of working capital; Richmond Asset Finance can help:

  • Hire Purchase
  • Leasing
  • Refinancing

Asset Types

Asset-based lending Manchester (ABL) encompasses business funding that releases capital using the value of an asset as security. This asset may be equipment or vehicles, and the capital raised on it can be used to buy more equipment, update or expand premises, or facilitate a management buy-in or buy-out.

What are the benefits of Agricultural Finance?

What are the benefits of agricultural finance?

As a farmer, it can be difficult  to purchase the equipment and machinery you need. The costs can be huge and can eat into capital that is much needed for other necessities. You may not be aware, but there is a solution to this in the form of agricultural finance. Outlined below is the importance of agricultural finance.

Farmers need to purchase new inputs, such as seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation water and more. Agricultural finance can help to make these purchases easier for farmers. If the seed of a high yielding crop is readily available for farmers, then the productivity of the farm is improved.

Smaller farms may not have the need for agricultural finance for items such as seeds or pesticides but larger farms may need help with bulk purchases of these items. Seeds, fertilizers and irrigation water can prove to be a highly expensive continuing need which agricultural finance can help to meet.

You can cover land costs

If you are looking to buy new farmland as a budding farmer or simply increase the amount of land you already have, then agricultural finance can help cover the land costs you may incur. The land you need will depend on the type of farming you are planning on doing.

In order to apply for finance for land, you will need to calculate how much land you need and what kind of land you are looking for. Once you have your loan approved, you will be able to move forward with your endeavour. Buying land with your own money may not be feasible as a start-up farm, which is why finance is a good option.

You are better equipped for a crisis

Farming can be a difficult business. You are never able to predict what will happen to your crops or livestock, and are at the mercy of customers and competitors. Some farming is seasonal, which means you may only earn money during certain times of the year.

An agricultural loan can be used to protect yourself during the various ups and downs of your business. You can also use it for operational costs as well as costs that occur from damages. It is better to be prepared for every eventuality, which is why having agricultural finance is important to all working farms.

Over Half a Million UK Companies in Significant Financial Distress

According to redflagalert, a report has suggested thats:

  • 509,000 UK companies are in significant financial distress—the highest number ever measured.
  • The coronavirus lockdown has seen the largest quarterly increase in the number of businesses in significant distress since the end of 2017, growing by 15,000 companies.
  •  This figure is expected to increase throughout Q2 as COVID-19 restrictions continue.
  • The number of critically distressed businesses increased by 10% in the last quarter alone.

During Q1 2020, the number of UK companies experiencing significant financial distress exceeded the half a million mark for the first time since our research began.

Latest figures show a 3% quarterly increase in the number of companies that are unable to meet their debts—that’s 15,000 businesses, representing the largest increase since the end of 2017.

The leading cause of this is the coronavirus restrictions and our data shows that SMEs have been worst hit, representing over 99% of all businesses in distress.

Companies with less than 250 employees are particularly vulnerable at this time as many have struggled to access government support schemes.

Even more concerning is that our data shows a 10% jump in the number of businesses in critical distress in the last quarter—this is usually a precursor to insolvency.

A recent survey from redflaghalert has suggest that there has been a significant increase in businesses experiencing critical distress; 2,289 companies are now in this category. Between Q4 2019 and Q1 2020, the increases in certain sectors have been dramatic:

  • Bars and restaurants: +37%
  • Real estate and property: +21%
  • Construction: +11%
  • Retail: +8%
  • Manufacturing: +8%

The sectors that have been hardest hit by significant financial distress in the last quarter are:

  • Real estate and property: +6%
  • Hotels and accommodation: +5%
  • Construction: +4%
  • Health and education: +4%

Since 2014, several sectors have had huge increases in the number of businesses in distress. These sectors include:

  • Utilities: +132%
  • Real estate and property services: +104%
  • Sport and health clubs: +86%

Year-on-year, all but one (printing and packaging) of the 22 sectors monitored by Red Flag Alert have seen increases in the number of companies in significant distress over the past 12 months, with the worst affected being:

  • Real estate and property: +17%
  • Sport and health: +8%
  • Food and beverage: +7%

Many businesses are currently not failing immediately because the government support schemes. The suspension of court action has stopped many businesses from also going under. However, this will only be a short-term solution and once things start to normalise again the figures may increase.

Typically, it would be expected that 4.3% of these companies will fail each year not because of coronavirus restrictions, but because they were already at high risk of failure from any short-term drop in revenue and cash flow. However, the impact of COVID-19 will see this figure double and leave the UK economy with insolvent debts totalling £8.6bn this year.

Tips for improving your HGV’s fuel efficiency

Whilst you can’t control the price of fuel, you can control the amount you use with these driving tips for better fuel efficiency.

HGVs can guzzle up fuel, which isn’t only bad for your business’ budget, but also for the environment.

HGV drivers can learn to improve their vehicle’s fuel efficiency by making a few simple changes to their driving habits, here’s how.

Use cruise control

Most modern HGVs are equipped with a cruise control function for keeping the vehicle running at a constant speed. Reducing unnecessary fluctuations using cruise control can help you to save a significant amount of fuel.

Plan the route

Careful route planning can help you to get from a to b quickly and efficiently, preventing you from using unnecessary fuel whilst getting lost and taking detours. It can also help you to avoid routes featuring sharp inclines which require more fuel to navigate.

Reduce speed

The speed that you drive at can have a significant impact on the amount of fuel that your HGV uses. Studies have shown that reducing your speed to an average of 50mph on the motorway can help to reduce fuel consumption by up to 20%!

Don’t idle

Whilst it may be tempting, particularly on very cold days, to keep your engine idling and your heater and radio switched on when you are stationery, this is one of the worst ways to waste fuel!

Avoid braking sharply

Hitting the brakes sharply and rapidly accelerating can both eat up fuel far faster than driving at consistent, steady speeds. Simply paying closer attention to what is happening ahead of you on the road and anticipating when to brake sooner can make for a smoother ride, use less fuel, and reduce the risk of an accident.

Sometimes, if you’re driving a very old HGV, then the most effective way of increasing its fuel efficiency is to upgrade to a newer model.

If you require financial help or advice with upgrading your HGV, speak to our team here at Richmond Asset Finance by giving us a call on 0113 288 3277. We provide a range of flexible vehicle finance and asset finance services.

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