Asset Finance for
Forestry Contractors

Acquire forestry machinery, trucks, or specialized equipment with flexible repayment plans, helping your business grow without straining cash reserves.

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Acquire Machinery, Vehicles And Specialized Equipment Without Impacting Cash Flow

Forestry contractors rely on heavy, specialist machinery to complete demanding projects. From harvesters and forwarders to skidders, chippers, and loading equipment, the tools of the trade are essential — but also expensive. For most forestry firms, paying for these machines upfront would drain working capital and restrict growth opportunities.

Forestry asset finance provides the solution. By spreading the cost of machinery over manageable monthly payments, contractors can access the equipment they need while preserving cashflow for payroll, fuel, compliance, and other operational costs. This approach ensures businesses can compete, grow, and remain sustainable in one of the most capital-intensive industries in the UK.

Why Asset Finance Matters in Forestry

Forestry is unlike many other industries. Projects are long-term, income streams are seasonal, and payments are often delayed.
Key challenges include:
  • High Equipment Costs – Harvesters, skidders, and forwarders can cost hundreds of thousands of pounds.
  • Seasonal Income – Weather and contract schedules mean income varies throughout the year.
  • Client Delays – Payments are often received months after work is completed.
  • Upgrading Needs – Older machinery is less efficient and more expensive to maintain.
  • Growth Pressure – Taking on larger or multiple sites requires new machinery quickly.
Without finance, these challenges can prevent forestry contractors from expanding or even maintaining current levels of work.

How Asset Finance Works in Forestry

Asset finance is designed to make essential machinery more accessible. The process is straightforward:

Choose Equipment

The contractor identifies the machinery needed.

Finance Agreed

A lender provides funding, secured against the asset itself.

Regular Repayments

The cost is spread over fixed monthly instalments.

Ownership Options

At the end of the term, businesses may own the asset outright, return it, or upgrade.
This structure aligns costs with usage, ensuring equipment can generate income as it is repaid.

Types of Forestry Asset Finance

Forestry contractors can choose from several types of asset finance, depending on their needs:

Hire Purchase

Spread payments and own the equipment at the end.

Finance Lease

Use the equipment long-term with the option to continue or upgrade.

Operating Lease

Access machinery for shorter periods without ownership obligations.

Refinancing

Release equity tied up in existing machinery to support cashflow.

Common Uses of Asset Finance in Forestry

Purchasing New Machinery

Fund harvesters, forwarders, and skidders.

Upgrading Old Equipment

Replace outdated machinery with modern, efficient models.

Expanding Operations

Acquire additional machines to handle larger contracts.

Supporting Compliance

Ensure machinery meets environmental and safety standards.

Preserving Working Capital

Keep reserves free for staff, fuel, and site costs.

Planning Growth

Access machinery in line with strategic expansion.

Benefits of Forestry Asset Finance

Affordability

Spread costs over time, avoiding large upfront payments.

Flexibility

Choose from multiple finance structures.

Cashflow Protection

Keep liquidity available for other business needs.

Growth Support

Expand quickly without waiting for reserves to build.

Tax Efficiency

Repayments may be offset against taxable income.

Upgrade Options

Regularly access newer, more efficient equipment.

Why Asset Finance Is Essential in Forestry

Forestry projects require machinery that cannot be substituted or delayed. Without access to the right equipment, contracts cannot be fulfilled, and businesses risk losing opportunities. Asset finance ensures contractors can secure the tools they need when they need them, regardless of current cashflow.
This stability allows forestry businesses to take on larger sites, operate more efficiently, and remain competitive in a demanding industry.

Why Choose MacManus Asset Finance?

At MacManus Asset Finance, we understand the challenges forestry contractors face. Our expertise ensures we can deliver:
  • Specialist Knowledge – Experience funding forestry machinery and equipment.
  • Tailored Solutions – Facilities structured to match project cycles and seasonal income.
  • Wide Lender Access – Connections with providers who know the sector.
  • Fast Approvals – Quick decisions and funding to secure machinery without delay.
  • Ongoing Support – Long-term relationships built around your growth.

Key Takeaways

Forestry contractors cannot operate without access to heavy machinery, but the cost of equipment should not hold businesses back. Forestry asset finance enables firms to spread costs, preserve cashflow, and invest in growth with confidence.

At MacManus Asset Finance, we help contractors fund the equipment they need, ensuring long-term sustainability and competitiveness.

Forestry Asset Finance FAQs

Yes, many lenders are happy to finance both new and used equipment.

Some agreements require a deposit, though this varies by lender.
Yes, both new and second-hand equipment can be financed.
Options include ownership, return, or upgrade depending on the agreement.
Yes, refinancing releases equity tied up in owned assets.
Absolutely — facilities can be tailored to contractors of all sizes.
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MacManus Asset Finance Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN: 821663. MacManus Asset Finance Ltd is an authorised credit broker and not a lender. We work with a Panel of Lenders whose particulars will be supplied upon request to find a potentially suitable arrangement for your consideration. ICO registration Z9484665 and you can check via www.ico.org.uk.

 

MacManus Asset Finance Ltd, registered at Ground Floor, Unit 5 De Clare Court, Pontygwindy Road, Caerphilly, CF83 3HU. Company Register number is 05785432.
We will receive commission from lenders. Different lenders pay different amounts depending on different commission models. For transparency we work with the following commission models: percentage of the amount you borrow and rate for risk (this is based on the risk profile of the business). Further details of the commission model, calculation and amount will be disclosed to you throughout your customer journey.

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