The Challenge
Our client was operating with a fully hired fleet, creating ongoing cost exposure and limited control over vehicle availability. As a growing plant business with operational demands across multiple sites, access to the right vehicles at the right time was critical for productivity and staff efficiency.
However, as a new-start entity, the business needed a funding structure that balanced affordability with lender confidence. The solution required a commercial approach to credit risk and a funding panel willing to consider the strength of the wider group.
The Solution
We arranged funding for 40 light commercial vehicles across a carefully selected panel of five lenders. This multi-funder approach ensured:
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Competitive pricing across the full fleet
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Strong approval support despite new-start trading status
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Flexibility to structure deals in line with cash flow
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Efficient rollout of vehicles so operations were uninterrupted
Each agreement was structured over 36 months with a VAT-only deposit, preserving working capital while enabling the client to transition away from hire costs.
To support the credit profile, we incorporated a cross-company guarantee from the established parent business – giving lenders comfort while allowing the new entity to scale rapidly.
The Outcome
The funding programme delivered immediate and long-term benefits:
Fleet control: Guaranteed vehicle availability for staff and projects
Cost certainty: Predictable monthly payments versus fluctuating hire costs
Asset ownership: Clear path to equity as agreements mature
Operational efficiency: Vehicles deployed immediately across the business
Scalable relationship: Additional funding provided for engineering equipment and yellow plant following successful rollout
As the agreements progress, the client is steadily moving from a hire-dependent model to an equity-backed fleet position, strengthening their balance sheet and improving long-term cost efficiency.
Why This Worked
This transaction demonstrates the value of a broker-led approach when funding large fleet requirements:
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Access to lenders who take a commercial view of risk
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Ability to structure complex, multi-asset transactions
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Panel diversification to secure the best overall terms
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Strategic funding that supports growth beyond the initial requirement
The success of this project has led to an ongoing partnership, with further assets funded as the business expands.
