What is asset finance and how does it work?

Asset finance allows your business to spread the cost of equipment, vehicles, or machinery over time instead of paying the full amount upfront. This preserves your working capital for day-to-day operations. The main options include hire purchase (where you own the asset at the end of the term), finance lease (use the asset with flexible end-of-term options), and operating lease (essentially renting the asset for a fixed period). The asset itself typically serves as security, which often means easier approval than unsecured lending.

How quickly can I get approved for asset finance?

Indicative quotes within 24 hours of receiving your application. Full approval typically takes 1-5 business days depending on complexity. Straightforward hire purchase agreements on standard vans, plant or equipment can complete the same week. More complex deals — soft assets, used machinery valuations, or sale-and-leaseback — usually take 5-10 working days. We give you a realistic timeline up front based on the specific deal.

What is invoice finance and who is it suitable for?

Invoice finance releases cash tied up in unpaid invoices, typically advancing 70-90% of the invoice value within 24 hours. It's ideal for B2B businesses with payment terms of 30 days or more who need improved cash flow without taking on traditional debt. Whether you're a manufacturer waiting on payments from retailers, or a contractor with 60-day terms from main contractors, invoice finance can bridge the gap between doing the work and getting paid.

Do I need good credit to get asset finance?

While a strong credit history helps secure better rates, we work with over 50 lenders offering solutions for various credit profiles. Lenders also consider factors like your business trading history, the value and type of asset being financed, and your current cash flow. We specialise in finding solutions for businesses that may have been declined elsewhere, including those with adverse credit, limited trading history, or complex circumstances.

Who does AssetFund work with?

AssetFund is a commercial finance broker arranging non-regulated business finance for UK limited companies, partnerships and sole traders. Our team has over 25 years of experience and works with a panel of 50+ lenders covering hire purchase, finance lease, equipment finance, vehicle finance and asset refinance. We do not charge broker fees.

How much can I borrow through asset finance?

Asset finance facilities typically range from £5,000 to £10 million or more, depending on the asset and your business circumstances. For larger or more complex requirements, we can structure bespoke facilities through our specialist lender relationships. There's no upper limit for the right opportunity - we've arranged facilities exceeding £20 million for established businesses.

What is the difference between hire purchase and finance lease?

With hire purchase, you make regular payments and own the asset outright at the end of the agreement (often after a small final payment). The asset appears on your balance sheet, and you can claim capital allowances. With a finance lease, the finance company owns the asset throughout. You make rental payments and can return, upgrade, or purchase the asset at the end. Lease payments are typically fully tax-deductible as a business expense.

Can I get asset finance if my bank has declined me?

Yes, absolutely. Banks often have rigid criteria that don't suit every business. We work with over 50 specialist lenders, many of whom take a more flexible approach. They consider factors beyond just credit scores, including the asset value, your trading history, cash flow, and the overall business picture. Many of our clients have previously been declined by their bank but successfully obtained finance through our lender panel.

Are there any fees for using AssetFund?

No, our service is completely free to use. We're paid a commission by the lender when we successfully introduce a finance application. This means our interests are aligned with yours - we only get paid if we find you a suitable solution that you decide to proceed with. There are no upfront fees, application fees, or hidden charges for our broking service.

What types of assets and equipment can be financed?

We can arrange finance for virtually any business asset including: commercial vehicles and vans, HGVs and trailers, construction and plant equipment, manufacturing machinery, agricultural equipment, medical and dental equipment, printing and packaging machinery, catering equipment, IT and technology, office furniture and equipment, and many more. If it has business value, there's usually a financing solution available.

South Yorkshire, Yorkshire and The Humber

Asset Finance in Sheffield

Specialist asset finance for Sheffield businesses — hire purchase, finance lease, equipment finance, commercial vehicle finance and asset refinance. Compare 50+ lenders with one application. Decisions in 24–48 hours. No broker fees.

25+ Years Experience

4.9/5 Rating

£5K – £10M+

Calculate Finance Get a Quote

50+

Lender Partners

£500M+

Funded UK-Wide

25+

Years Experience

24hr

Quick Decisions

Asset Finance Solutions for Sheffield Businesses

Asset finance in Sheffield is built around the city's reinvention of its steel-and-metalwork heritage into high-value advanced manufacturing. AssetFund arranges hire purchase, finance lease, equipment finance, commercial vehicle finance and asset refinance for Sheffield businesses — from the aerospace, automotive and energy-sector tier suppliers clustered around the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District through to the healthcare equipment suppliers serving Sheffield Teaching Hospitals.

The Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), Factory 2050, the Nuclear AMRC and the wider AMID corridor anchor sustained demand for high-value CNC, multi-axis machining centres, additive manufacturing, robotics and metrology equipment finance — both new and used, often through specialist lenders that understand aerospace and energy-sector residual values. Across South Yorkshire's wider precision engineering supply chain, hire purchase on CNC, press tools, EDM and inspection equipment is a weekly flow. The Sheffield Teaching Hospitals network and the Olympic Legacy Park / Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre drive medical, diagnostic and clinical equipment finance, while the Kelham Island and Castlegate digital and creative clusters add equipment, fit-out and broadcast finance demand. Logistics operators along the M1 corridor finance HGVs, trailers and vans.

We also arrange asset refinance and sale-and-leaseback for Sheffield businesses with equity in machinery, plant or vehicles they already own — releasing working capital, funding deposits on the next asset, or restructuring existing agreements onto better terms. 50+ specialist asset finance lenders. Indicative decisions in 24 hours. No broker fees.

Local Asset Finance Demand

Asset Finance in Sheffield — Sectors & Typical Financed Assets

The local sector mix that drives asset finance demand in Sheffield, and the equipment, plant and vehicles we most commonly arrange finance for here.

Sheffield's asset finance market is dominated by advanced manufacturing — the AMRC, Factory 2050 and Nuclear AMRC have anchored an aerospace, automotive and energy-sector supply chain that finances CNC machinery, multi-axis machining centres, additive manufacturing, robotics and inspection equipment in volume. Beyond that, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre drive medical equipment finance, while M1-corridor logistics operators finance HGVs, trailers and vans. We arrange new and used hire purchase, finance lease, contract hire and sale-and-leaseback across all three pillars.

Source: ONS BRES / Sheffield City Council / company filings · 2025

Local sector mix

Approximate shares of the local business base. Linked sectors take you to the relevant asset finance product hub.

Typical financed assets

CNC machinery & multi-axis machining centres
Mazak · Hermle C42 · DMG Mori · Haas VF-series · XYZ Machine Tools
Additive manufacturing & robotics
DMG Mori additive · Industrial robotics cells
Inspection, EDM & metrology equipment
Makino wire EDM · CMM inspection
Medical & diagnostic equipment
Siemens Atellica · GE mobile X-ray
HGVs, trailers & vans
DAF XF · Volvo FH · Ford Transit
Construction plant
JCB 3CX · Kubota U27

Business base

21,400registered businesses

Trading from Sheffield, across all sectors and sizes.

Micro

86%

0-9

Small

11%

10-49

Medium

50-249

Large

250+

Sector anchors

Known major employers in and around Sheffield:

Boeing Sheffield / AMRCAerospace manufacturing · CNC & multi-axis machining
Rolls-Royce (AMRC partnership)Aerospace & energy · Precision machining & inspection
Sheffield ForgemastersHeavy engineering & defence · Forge & machining equipment
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS TrustHealthcare · Medical & diagnostic equipment
Outokumpu (Stocksbridge)Specialty steel · Production & material-handling equipment

Industries We Serve

Finance for Every Sector

Whatever your industry, we have lenders experienced with businesses like yours

Construction & Building

£25,000 – £2,000,000

Equipment and vehicle finance for construction firms

Common assets: Excavators, Scaffolding, Concrete mixers

Logistics & Haulage

£50,000 – £5,000,000

Fleet finance and working capital for transport businesses

Common assets: HGVs, Trailers, Forklifts

Manufacturing

£100,000 – £10,000,000

Machinery finance and invoice facilities for manufacturers

Common assets: CNC machines, Production lines, Robotics

Professional Services

£10,000 – £500,000

Technology and fit-out finance for service businesses

Common assets: IT infrastructure, Office fit-outs, Software

Healthcare & Dental

£25,000 – £3,000,000

Medical equipment finance for healthcare providers

Common assets: Diagnostic equipment, Dental chairs, Imaging machines

Hospitality & Leisure

£20,000 – £1,000,000

Equipment and working capital for hospitality businesses

Common assets: Kitchen equipment, POS systems, Refrigeration

Retail & Wholesale

£10,000 – £2,000,000

Stock finance and equipment for retailers

Common assets: Shop fit-outs, Refrigeration, Security systems

Technology & IT

£25,000 – £2,000,000

Hardware and software finance for tech companies

Common assets: Servers, Network infrastructure, Development workstations

Agriculture & Farming

£50,000 – £3,000,000

Machinery and equipment finance for agricultural businesses

Common assets: Tractors, Harvesters, Irrigation systems

Waste & Recycling

£100,000 – £5,000,000

Vehicle and processing equipment for waste management

Common assets: Refuse vehicles, Compactors, Sorting equipment

Print & Media

£25,000 – £2,000,000

Press and production equipment for print businesses

Common assets: Digital presses, Finishing equipment, Large format printers

Education & Training

£10,000 – £500,000

IT and facility finance for educational providers

Common assets: Computer suites, Interactive displays, Lab equipment

Our Services

Asset Finance Products in Sheffield

Hire purchase, finance lease, equipment finance, vehicle finance and refinance from 50+ lenders

Asset Finance (Hire Purchase, Lease & Refinance)

The core Sheffield offering: hire purchase, finance lease, operating lease and asset refinance on vehicles, plant, machinery and equipment. Spread cost over 12–84 months with fixed monthly payments, preserve working capital, and access both new and used assets through 50+ specialist lenders.

Hire purchase — own the asset at term end
Finance lease — tax-efficient rental, flexible end-of-term
Operating lease & contract hire — lowest monthly cost
Asset refinance / sale-and-leaseback — release equity

Used daily by Sheffield construction firms, hauliers, manufacturers, dealerships and tradespeople.

Learn more about asset finance (hire purchase, lease & refinance)

Invoice Finance

Release up to 90% of your invoice value within 24 hours, rather than waiting 30-90 days for customers to pay. Sheffield B2B businesses use invoice finance to improve cash flow, fund growth, and take on larger contracts.

Factoring (with credit control)
Invoice discounting (confidential)
Selective invoice finance
Bad debt protection available

Ideal for Sheffield service businesses and suppliers with B2B customers.

Learn more about invoice finance

Asset Backed Lending

Unlock value from your business assets with facilities secured against receivables, inventory, equipment, and property. Sheffield businesses with significant assets can access larger facilities than unsecured lending allows.

Combined ABL facilities
Stock finance
Trade finance
Multi-asset security

Suited to growing Sheffield businesses with £500k+ turnover.

Learn more about asset backed lending

Asset Finance in Sheffield

Invoice Finance in Sheffield

Asset Backed Lending in Sheffield

Why AssetFund

Why Sheffield Businesses Choose Us

Local Market Understanding

We work with businesses across every UK region and understand local economic conditions.

Fast Decisions

Most applications receive a decision within 24-48 hours. Same-day indicative terms available.

Flexible Terms

12-60 month terms, variable deposits, and end-of-term options to suit your business.

All Credit Considered

From startups to established businesses, and various credit profiles—we find solutions.

No Upfront Fees

Our service is free. No broker fees or hidden charges—transparent from start to finish.

25+ Years Experience

Specialist commercial finance broker with deep relationships across the UK asset finance market.

The Sheffield Business Landscape

Sheffield businesses benefit from the Yorkshire and The Humber region's strong financial services sector.

Business finance plays a crucial role in supporting Sheffield's economic activity, enabling companies to invest in equipment, manage cash flow, and fund expansion. AssetFund works with businesses across all local sectors, providing access to competitive funding from 50+ specialist lenders.

Finance Demand in Sheffield

Sheffield's financial-services and manufacturing activity generates consistent asset finance demand. Typical Sheffield deals cover CNC machines, presses, production-line equipment and material-handling kit, and diagnostic imaging, dental equipment and surgical instruments.

Hire purchase, finance lease and operating lease all available. Asset refinance on plant and machinery you already own can release equity for working capital, deposits on new assets, or to restructure existing agreements on better terms.

Recent Projects

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about asset finance, hire purchase and equipment finance in Sheffield

How quickly can Sheffield businesses get asset finance approved?

Most Sheffield asset finance enquiries receive an indicative decision within 24 hours and a formal offer within 48 hours, once we have your last 3 months' business bank statements and the asset details (supplier proforma, vehicle reg or equipment specification). Straightforward hire purchase agreements on standard plant, vans or equipment can complete the same week. More complex deals — soft assets, used machinery valuations, or sale-and-leaseback — typically take 5–10 working days.

What types of asset finance are available in Sheffield?

Sheffield businesses can access the full asset finance product range: hire purchase (own the asset at term end), finance lease (tax-efficient rental with end-of-term options), operating lease and contract hire (lowest monthly cost, return the asset at term end), and asset refinance / sale-and-leaseback (release equity from assets you already own outright). We arrange finance on commercial vehicles, HGVs, plant, manufacturing machinery, agricultural equipment, forklifts, medical equipment, printing kit, catering equipment and IT hardware — new and used.

What deposit and trading history are needed for Sheffield asset finance?

Standard Sheffield asset finance typically requires 10–20% deposit and 12+ months of trading. Strong applicants with good credit and hard assets (vehicles, plant, machinery) can sometimes access 0–10% deposit deals. Newer businesses, sole traders and adverse credit cases can still be financed through specialist lenders on our panel — usually with a higher deposit or a director's guarantee. We'll tell you up front what's realistic before you waste time on applications that won't fly.

Can I get Sheffield asset finance with bad credit or CCJs?

Often, yes. Because asset finance is secured against the asset itself, lenders take a more pragmatic view of credit than unsecured business loans. We work with specialist lenders who finance Sheffield businesses with CCJs, defaults, prior insolvency or limited trading history — typically with a larger deposit, higher rate, or director's guarantee. We'll be honest about what's achievable rather than putting you through pointless applications.

What sectors do you finance in Sheffield?

AssetFund arranges asset finance for Sheffield businesses across all commercial sectors, including financial-services, manufacturing, healthcare. Our lender panel includes specialists for construction plant, HGV and commercial vehicle fleets, manufacturing machinery, agricultural equipment, healthcare and dental, hospitality, print and packaging, waste and recycling, and professional-services fit-outs. Each sector has lenders who understand the residual values, usage cycles and seasonal patterns.

What are typical asset finance rates for Sheffield businesses?

Asset finance rates for Sheffield businesses depend on the asset class (new vs used, hard vs soft), term length, deposit, and your trading and credit profile. Strong applicants on standard new plant or vehicles typically see rates from around 7–9% APR. Used equipment, soft assets, newer businesses or adverse credit will see higher rates. We always show the full cost of credit, the monthly payment and the comparison vs alternative structures before you commit.

Can Sheffield businesses refinance equipment they already own?

Yes — asset refinance (also called sale-and-leaseback) lets Sheffield businesses release the equity tied up in plant, vehicles or machinery they already own outright. The lender purchases the asset from you at agreed value, releases the cash to your business, and you repay over a fixed term (typically 24–60 months) while continuing to use the asset. Common uses: working capital injection, deposit on a new asset purchase, or restructuring existing finance onto better terms.

What kind of broker is AssetFund?

AssetFund is a commercial asset finance broker arranging non-regulated business finance for UK limited companies, LLPs, partnerships and sole traders trading for business purposes. We do not provide regulated consumer credit advice. Our team has 25+ years of experience and we work with 50+ specialist asset finance lenders so Sheffield businesses can compare hire purchase, finance lease, equipment finance and refinance options from a single application. We do not charge broker fees.

What documents do Sheffield businesses need to apply?

For most Sheffield asset finance applications: last 3 months' business bank statements, your most recent filed accounts or management accounts (depending on company age), photo ID for directors, and details of the asset you're financing — supplier proforma invoice for new equipment, or vehicle reg / V5 for used vehicles. For sale-and-leaseback we'll also need proof of ownership and a recent valuation. Larger deals (£250k+) may require fuller management information.

Can Sheffield startups and new businesses get asset finance?

Yes — we arrange asset finance for newly-formed Sheffield companies and sole traders, typically with a larger deposit (20–30%) and often a director's personal guarantee. New-start hire purchase is most readily available on hard assets with good residual values (HGVs, commercial vehicles, standard plant). Soft assets and bespoke machinery are harder for new starts. We'll tell you what's realistic for your specific situation before you spend time on the application.

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25+ Years Experience

4.9/5 Rating

2,500+ Businesses

Asset Finance in Sheffield

25+ Years Experience

4.9/5 Rating

£5K – £10M+

Asset Finance Solutions for Sheffield Businesses

The Sheffield Business Landscape

Sheffield businesses benefit from the Yorkshire and The Humber region's strong financial services sector.