The plant and specialist equipment hire sector in the UK is, of course, intrinsically linked to the fortunes of the construction industry. While both sectors saw a surge in demand prior to the pandemic, that fell sharply as builders were simply unable to work safely. Although the market remains highly competitive, demand is likely to surge again. This time though, it will be due to rising costs, leading businesses to favour rental over outright purchase.

Increase available stock
As demand increases, it’s important to build your reputation as a supplier that can. A big part of that is having the available equipment to meet demand. Portman Asset Finance makes it easy to affordably increase your rental stock.
Renew your stock
In a competitive marketplace, being able to offer customers not only the best range, but also the newest equipment will create real standout. Reliable, quality brands – that are compliant with increasingly stringent environmental regulations – make their work efficient and help them to present a good impression to their customers too. Portman Asset Finance seeks long term relationships with clients, where we can support their ongoing renewal of equipment to keep them ahead of the competition.
- Vans & lorries
- Telehandlers & loaders
- Dumpers & excavators
- Agricultural machinery
- Access equipment

Specialise
By their very nature, specialist vehicles and equipment are less common and have longer manufacturer lead times. Consequently, those that can offer a range of available equipment are able to charge higher rates and enjoy higher margins. To do this successfully, you need the right capital to secure build slots on equipment early. That’s a perfect opportunity to reach out to Portman. We build finance solutions around your business, so they’re always bespoke, allowing you to invest in your future with confidence.
Invest in your customer experience
OK, so you’ve got the best range of the best equipment. But how easy is it for your customers to book it? It’s not just what you can offer, but how you do it that will keep customers choosing you over the competition. A big part of that is ‘ease of use’. You can use finance from Portman to invest in digitising your systems, implement online booking systems or smartphone apps that make it effortlessly easy to check availability, book and pay for vehicles and equipment.
How can we support your Vehicle & Equipment Rental business
Technological change in the construction industry is notoriously low. That doesn’t mean it isn’t relevant though, nor represent an opportunity for the forward thinking business owner. In a competitive marketplace, customer loyalty is of prime importance. Investing in the right booking technology will bring your customers closer, improving their experience, and making your business efficient and super organised. It’s a win-win.
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.