Fill in the details to see an instant example of our rates
Brewers are suffering acute pressures from a combination of supply limitations and rising energy costs. Spurred by a growing interest in craft brewing and craft distilling from consumers, the industry has become increasingly exciting but competitive in recent years. The upshot is that many independents are facing a rocky couple of years ahead.
Finance the short term
Additional Government assistance has been promised, but breweries are not eligible for the 50% discount on business rates enjoyed by our hospitality partners. At this point, the Additional Relief Fund money has yet to be released by local authorities. Assuming that situation is resolved, funds will take time to be allocated and may not be as much as each business needs. Talk to Portman Asset Finance today about a short term loan or a brewery finance solution that will help you through this uncertain period with confidence.
Move from casks to kegs and cans
The SIBA Craft Beer Report shows that the volume of members’ beer going into cans has more than tripled since 2019. In fact, cask volumes were decimated in 2020 and 2021 and are unlikely to recover in the short to medium term. Kegs and cans are clearly the formats for the future, but that’s going to take additional investment at a time when funds are in short supply. Portman Asset Finance takes a flexible approach to brewery equipment leasing, helping you afford critical machinery such as canning lines, cooling systems, keg washers and fillers.
- Canning lines
- Filtration units
- Fermentation vessels
- Liquor tanks
- CIP systems
Sell direct, sell online
A third of SIBA members have launched an online shop for the first time during the pandemic. There was also a growth in the number of brewers who set up their own bricks and mortar shops to sell direct. Brewery finance from Portman can be used to invest in your own diversification to direct-selling, whether that is in a shop that you build or acquire, or with an online solution.
Invest in your brand
SIBA’s report found that consumer thirst for craft beer in their local pub was higher than ever, with 75% of beer drinkers surveyed in 2022 saying they thought it was important to have a range of options from small breweries. Beer-savvy drinkers have always valued provenance, but this has only increased during the pandemic, particularly among female consumers. Drinkers are increasingly seeking out artisan producers and expect those products to be available at retail. Drinkers will be attracted to authentic and distinctive brands with strong ‘local’ provenance, niche, innovative or quality product claims, and of course, strong delivery on satisfaction. Term loans from Portman can be used to fund professional brand development and packaging design to help your products stand out loud and proud.
Invest in sustainability and ethics
Consumers of all kinds of products are increasingly sensitive to the sustainability and ethical claims of manufacturers. This is no less true in the brewing industry. If you are considering a migration from casks to kegs and cans, now could also be an opportunity to look at how you can deliver more sustainability in your business and support wider ethical commitments. Brewery cashflow loans from Portman can be used to fund any area of your business, including costs related to switching supply chains, ingredients and materials.
How can we support your Brewing business
The brewery sector has had a proper bruising from the pandemic period. However, for those that can make it through the aftermath, there is a growing opportunity for brewers and distillers who can give discerning customers something new, distinctive and sustainable. There is also an opportunity on brewers’ doorsteps to sell direct in person or online.
Hire Purchase
Hire purchase usually involves paying the VAT and a deposit up-front. Fixed monthly repayments are then made, affected by whether you pay off the entire loan over the term or chose a final balloon payment. The final option to purchase is guaranteed for a nominal fee, transferring ownership of the asset to the customer.
Hire purchase is well-suited for situations where a company definitely wants to own the item at the end of the term, often where the asset has a significant usable lifespan, a high residual value and will not need to be upgraded.
Explore Hire Purchase
Lease Finance
Equipment leasing allows a business to acquire hard or soft assets without the upfront costs associated with large purchases. A lender purchases the item, the business then leases it through fixed monthly payments over an agreed term.
Typically, asset finance is provided for high value ‘hard’ assets such as machinery, equipment or vehicles, but Portman also arranges asset finance for ‘soft’ assets such as IT, fitness, catering or vending equipment, as well as premises fit-outs, furniture or even air-conditioning.
Explore Lease Finance
Business Loans
Business loans are a way of borrowing money, which is repaid in monthly instalments, including interest, over an agreed term. Business loans are a common way to help smooth out cashflow fluctuations and take opportunities where otherwise they could be missed due to a lack of working capital.
Business loans can be secured or unsecured. Portman typically provides unsecured loans which can be more flexible and do not require collateral but are likely to require a personal guarantee. Secured loans are tied to an asset which the lender can claim ownership of if repayments are not made, these may be used in equipment refinance deals.
Explore Business Loans
Start Up Loans
New businesses often need an injection of finance to get them off the ground. Asset finance for new businesses allows you to focus on running your company and bringing in customers, confident that you have the equipment, vehicle or stock you need without the large initial outlay.
Using finance for your equipment means that you preserve the credit card or overdraft for contingency and operating expenses when the unexpected happens.
Explore Start Up Loans
Equipment Refinance
If you recently bought a high-value item outright but would now prefer to have financed it, we can help with a sale-and-lease-back agreement. If the item is less than 3m old, give us a copy of the invoice and we will calculate the current value. After a few checks and acceptance of the term and monthly repayments, we can give you the cash equivalent of the invoice to put back into the business. You’ll then make fixed monthly payments including interest, whilst your asset earns you money.
If your business owns high value assets that are not currently on finance, subject to a valuation, it is also possible to use them as security for a loan, with lenders offering a cash loan up to a % of the asset’s value.
Explore Refinance
Recovery Loans – Ending June 30
With no personal guarantee up to £250k, Recovery Loans offer an excellent way of making sure your business gets back on its feet after the effects of the pandemic. Many businesses affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and its restrictions can access the UK government’s Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS), providing UK SMEs with better access to finance.
Recovery Loans can be used for any legitimate business or simply provide cashflow. Up to £350k can be borrowed on terms from 2 to 6 years and with no personal guarantee up to £250k, your personal wealth is not at risk.
Explore Recovery Loans
We make things easy
We know that finance can sometimes be confusing and stressful, but what we do is simple.
