Plant Hire
Growing a Grab and Plant Hire Business in Greater Manchester
How staged asset finance helped an owner-managed grab and plant hire business add 6 grab lorries, 3 tippers and McCloskey crushing and screening plant while keeping cash in the business.
At a glance
- Sector: Grab, tipper and plant hire
- Location: Greater Manchester
- Assets funded: 6 grab lorries, 3 tippers, McCloskey crushers and screeners
- Structure: Several deals over time, each asset on terms matched to its working life
The client
Our client is an established, owner-managed grab and plant hire business in Greater Manchester. They serve housebuilders, groundworkers, demolition contractors and local trades, providing muck-away, aggregate deliveries and site clearance across the region.
Like many businesses in the sector, they built their reputation on reliability: turning up on time, keeping vehicles on the road and saying yes to work when customers need them. As their customer base grew, they needed a bigger fleet to keep that promise.
The challenge
The business faced a common growth problem. Demand was rising, but buying grab lorries, tippers and heavy processing plant outright would have tied up large amounts of cash. A hire business relies on working capital for fuel, wages, maintenance and insurance, and on covering the gap while customers pay on 30- to 60-day terms.
They also saw an opportunity to do more than move material. With their own crushing and screening equipment, they could process inert waste on site and sell recycled aggregate back into the market, adding a second revenue stream and reducing tipping costs.
They needed a funding partner who understood how the business actually makes money, not just one who would quote a rate.
Our approach
We have supported the client across several deals as the business has grown, rather than through one large application. That approach lets each funding decision match the work coming in, so the fleet grows with the order book.
We took the time to understand:
- How the assets earn: utilisation, hire rates and the contracts behind each vehicle and machine.
- The business's track record: trading history, accounts and the strength of existing repayments.
- The right structure for each asset: grab lorries and tippers have different working lives and resale values from tracked crushers and screeners, so each was funded on terms that suited it.
We then presented the business to lenders on our panel who understand plant and haulage. That meant credit decisions were based on the real strength of the business, not a generic scoring model.
What we funded
- 6 × grab lorries: increasing capacity for muck-away and aggregate deliveries.
- 3 × tippers: adding flexibility for bulk haulage and larger site jobs.
- McCloskey crushers and screeners: bringing processing in-house and opening up recycled aggregate sales.
The outcome
The business now runs a substantially larger fleet and offers a more complete service, from clearing a site to processing the waste and supplying recycled material back into the market. Spreading the cost of each asset over its working life kept cash in the business for day-to-day operations, and having a broker on hand for each stage of growth means the next expansion can be planned rather than rushed.
Thinking about growing your fleet?
Whether you're adding your first grab lorry, replacing ageing tippers or looking at crushing and screening equipment, we can help you find the right funding structure. We work with a panel of lenders who understand plant and haulage, and we take the time to present your business properly.
Get in touch with Sandringham Business Finance to talk through your plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Many UK lenders offer asset finance specifically for construction and scaffolding equipment, including towers, boards, systems, and safety equipment.
In many cases, yes. Some lenders offer finance solutions for startups or new businesses, although deposit requirements may vary.
Yes. Both new and used scaffolding equipment can often be financed depending on the condition, supplier, and value of the assets.
Typical finance terms range from 12 to 60 months, depending on the equipment value and lender criteria.
Some finance agreements may offer tax benefits, particularly hire purchase or leasing agreements. Businesses should speak with their accountant to confirm how finance may affect tax planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Grab lorries and tippers are commonly funded through hire purchase or finance lease, and many lenders are comfortable with both new and used vehicles.
Yes. Tracked crushing and screening plant can usually be financed in the same way as other heavy plant, either new from a manufacturer or used from a dealer or private sale.
In many cases, yes. Lenders will look at the age, condition and value of the asset, and terms may be shorter on older equipment.
Terms typically range from 12 to 60 months, depending on the asset, its expected working life and lender criteria.
Usually, yes. A good record on existing agreements often helps, and we can look at your current commitments to structure new funding around them.
Some finance agreements may offer tax benefits, particularly hire purchase or leasing agreements. Businesses should speak with their accountant to confirm how finance may affect tax planning.
Speak to a Business Finance Specialist
If your business is looking for asset finance, equipment finance, or flexible business funding, the team at Sandringham Business Finance is here to help.
Contact Sandringham Business Finance today to discuss your funding requirements and explore the best finance options available for your business.