Throughout the COVID pandemic, many businesses accelerated their migration to online selling, driving further growth in a sector that was already booming. As consumers became used to next-day and even same-day delivery, expectations have never been higher. Coupled with supply-chain and packaging issues across several industries, there is increasing pressure on logistics firms. In the coming years, being successful in this sector will mean shrewd investment in technology, fleet and staff, to make sure you stay ahead of the competition and protect margins.

Start with tech
Technology drives efficiency, which in turn drives both margin growth, service transparency and quality. Finance from Portman can support your investment in the right IT systems and vehicle telemetry to make your logistics business a tech powerhouse.
Invest in your base
Competition for distribution, logistics and warehousing space is tight. Finance from Portman can help you secure the right facility to accommodate your growing business and project the right image to your customers and staff. Plus, with turnover of drivers a real concern for many companies, providing the right environment and rest areas for your teams could contribute to higher staff retention.
- HGVs & LGVs
- Warehouse racking
- Storage & containers
- Forklifts & loaders
- Bulk handling & cranes

Fleeting change
With fuel experiencing steep cost increases, investing in the cleanest and most efficient vehicles is crucial for the long term profitability of your operation. The problem is only compounded by ever-tighter restrictions on emissions and access to inner cities. In addition, both commercial and domestic customers are conscious of the carbon footprint of not only their own operations, but that of their suppliers too. This means the positive investment you make in your fleet also reflects well on them. Commercial vehicle finance from Portman, either through leasing or hire purchase, can give you access to a modern and efficient fleet.
Attract the best
In the wake of Brexit, access to skilled drivers from Europe is limited, pushing demand for UK drivers ever higher. In a ‘drivers’ market, your offer needs to stand out. Good vehicles, efficient operations, good premises and employee benefits – they all make a big difference and all can be supported with finance from Portman.
How can we support your Logistics business
The logistics sector is predicted to see continued growth for the foreseeable future, in established areas, but also in a variety of new niches such as last mile and on-demand food deliveries. The current big names in the market will need to scale up to meet demand and will do this in a number of ways, including continued innovation and acquisition of smaller entrepreneurial businesses. We will see more collaboration too, with standardised shipment sizes, labelling and systems. Ultimately, if you’re in logistics the world is your oyster – if you can keep up with the rising tide of demand. Get the finance support you need to future-proof your business. Get finance support from Portman.
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 PurchaseEquipment 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 FinanceBusiness 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 LoansNew 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 LoansIf 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 RefinanceWith 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 LoansWe make things easy
We know that finance can sometimes be confusing and stressful, but what we do is simple.