Category: Grow Your Business

Farm machinery finance options through Richmond Asset Finance

Richmond Asset Finance are pleased to announce that we offer a wide range of financial payment facilities on most of our new and used tractors and farm machinery.

We offer agricultural and farm machinery finance across the UK. Richmond Asset Finance’s success is reliant on its specialist service and preserving a competitive edge in a very competitive industry. We ensure that our interest rates are monitored regularly so that they remain at the sharp end of the market.

We can provide finance for a wide variety of agricultural assets, from cultivators, tractors and combine harvesters to livestock, robotic milking machines and crop sprayers, and we’ll guide you through every part of the agriculture finance process. 

Having helped thousands of farm owners achieve business growth, we can help you with a tailored flexible agriculture finance funding solution from £10,000 to £500,000. We’ll even take the seasonality of your business into account when tailoring your payment plan.

Speak to one of our specialists today for more information.

Yorkshire Machinery Finance for Farms

From tractors, headers or balers, if it’s part of a working farm Richmond Asset Finance can finance it! At Richmond Asset Finance we have access to an experienced panel of lenders so we can bring you only the best finance options for your farm machinery and business.

Agriculture is very diverse and we also understand that that some farmers have seasonal income, so we can tailor seasonal loan structures for certain applicants if the situation calls for it.

We also understand that a 1998 tractor might still be in good working condition, so older farm machinery can be financed from both private sellers and dealers. Simply ask us for more details.

We can offer agriculture finance loans for the following vehicles and equipment:

  • Tractors
  • Harvesters
  • Spraying Equipment
  • Spreaders
  • Seeders
  • Offset Disc
  • Balers
  • Irrigation
  • Telehandlers

Have farm equipment or machinery that’s not on the list? Call us and we’ll be happy to help: 0113 288 3277

Over Half a Million UK Companies in Significant Financial Distress

According to redflagalert, a report has suggested thats:

  • 509,000 UK companies are in significant financial distress—the highest number ever measured.
  • The coronavirus lockdown has seen the largest quarterly increase in the number of businesses in significant distress since the end of 2017, growing by 15,000 companies.
  •  This figure is expected to increase throughout Q2 as COVID-19 restrictions continue.
  • The number of critically distressed businesses increased by 10% in the last quarter alone.

During Q1 2020, the number of UK companies experiencing significant financial distress exceeded the half a million mark for the first time since our research began.

Latest figures show a 3% quarterly increase in the number of companies that are unable to meet their debts—that’s 15,000 businesses, representing the largest increase since the end of 2017.

The leading cause of this is the coronavirus restrictions and our data shows that SMEs have been worst hit, representing over 99% of all businesses in distress.

Companies with less than 250 employees are particularly vulnerable at this time as many have struggled to access government support schemes.

Even more concerning is that our data shows a 10% jump in the number of businesses in critical distress in the last quarter—this is usually a precursor to insolvency.

A recent survey from redflaghalert has suggest that there has been a significant increase in businesses experiencing critical distress; 2,289 companies are now in this category. Between Q4 2019 and Q1 2020, the increases in certain sectors have been dramatic:

  • Bars and restaurants: +37%
  • Real estate and property: +21%
  • Construction: +11%
  • Retail: +8%
  • Manufacturing: +8%

The sectors that have been hardest hit by significant financial distress in the last quarter are:

  • Real estate and property: +6%
  • Hotels and accommodation: +5%
  • Construction: +4%
  • Health and education: +4%

Since 2014, several sectors have had huge increases in the number of businesses in distress. These sectors include:

  • Utilities: +132%
  • Real estate and property services: +104%
  • Sport and health clubs: +86%

Year-on-year, all but one (printing and packaging) of the 22 sectors monitored by Red Flag Alert have seen increases in the number of companies in significant distress over the past 12 months, with the worst affected being:

  • Real estate and property: +17%
  • Sport and health: +8%
  • Food and beverage: +7%

Many businesses are currently not failing immediately because the government support schemes. The suspension of court action has stopped many businesses from also going under. However, this will only be a short-term solution and once things start to normalise again the figures may increase.

Typically, it would be expected that 4.3% of these companies will fail each year not because of coronavirus restrictions, but because they were already at high risk of failure from any short-term drop in revenue and cash flow. However, the impact of COVID-19 will see this figure double and leave the UK economy with insolvent debts totalling £8.6bn this year.

Richmond Asset Finance adding value to your farm equipment

Richmond Asset Finance offer financing solutions for farm equipment manufacturers and suppliers in the processing, handling, and storage industries. Plus commercial and retail finance solutions so that distribution partners and authorised dealers have an efficient global distribution network.

Richmond Asset Finance is an all embracing business and we cover all types of farm and agricultural finance we offer to the rural and country business sectors and which can also be described as Agricultural Finance, Equestrian Finance, Farm Finance, Land Finance and Horticultural Finance. Finance can be provided for holiday complexes, caravan parks, caravan sites, properties with agricultural restrictions, land, buildings, working farms, non-working farms, and generally all types of rural type situations.

What purpose might be appropriate for farm finance?

Any legal purposes including but not being limited to repaying debt, repayment of an overdraft, diversification, working capital, business start ups, reducing outgoings, purchases of any kind and development of property or development of business.

Richmond Asset Finance are one of the most reputable sources of rural & farm finance in the UK. We guide and advise you throughout your application process, making sure your individual needs and circumstances always come first. Although we co-operate with a diverse range of banks and financial institutions, we are above all, independent. This means we always tailor a solution that best meets your requirements, not the banks.

We provide farm finance and refinance solutions, bridging finance packages, impartial advice, support and a level of customer service envied by our competitors.

Four times a bridging loan could help your business grow

Bridging loans offer a quick and simple way of raising finance to take advantage of time critical business opportunities.

Whether you’re a new start-up or a well-established business, finding a large sum of money for a new investment at very short notice can be difficult and risky.

However, regularly allowing opportunities to pass you by can be just as damaging, making it difficult to keep up with competitors and preventing growth. 

This is where bridging loans can help.

A bridging loan is a short-term funding solution that bridges a gap between a debt becoming due and credit becoming available.

Here are four times when a bridging loan could help your business to grow.

New equipment or machinery– A bridging loan can be used to purchase new equipment or machinery to increase the efficiency, output, or cost-effectiveness of your business’ production process.

Investment opportunities– Profitable investment opportunities don’t come around every day, but when they do you want to be able to snap them up. From new business partnerships to new stock, investing in fresh opportunities is what keeps your business current, competitive and profitable. 

Buying property or land– Bridging loans are most commonly used for purchasing property or land and developing it. When buying property, time is of the essence, and applying for a mortgage can be a lengthy process. Bridging loans are ideal for raising funds very quickly to bridge the gap until the mortgage comes in.

Start-up costs – If you’ve identified an opportunity for a new business venture then you’ll want to act quickly to capitalise. A bridging loan can provide you with the funds you need to get your new business off the ground or market your idea.

For more information about commercial bridging loansor to discuss applying for one, get in touch with our team here at Richmond Asset Finance by giving us a call on 0113 288 3277.

Using rural lending to diversify…

…into alternative livestock and crops

Rural lending opportunities could help farmers to boost their income by giving them the means to diversify into alternative livestock and crops.

Many farmers are feeling the pinch of increased competition, Brexit uncertainty, and the falling price of milk. In an uncertain economy and a changing industry, diversifying can bring in a valuable source of extra income.

According to Countryfile, over half of the UK’s farmers have now diversified in some form.

Some farmers are choosing to diversify into very different areas like leisure and tourism, which require significant investment to set up.  Diversifying into alternative crops and livestock is less of a jump, uses existing skillsets, and is often more affordable.

Alternative livestock and crop ideas

Here are just a few popular alternative livestock and crop diversification ideas to inspire your new venture.

  • Goat or sheep milk.
  • Quail or duck eggs.
  • Wild boar.
  • Ostriches.
  • Angora rabbit wool.
  • Llama or alpaca wool.
  • Edible flowers or herbs.
  • Pharmaceutical crops.
  • Free-from crops.
  • Pumpkins.
  • Christmas trees.

Rural lending opportunities

For many farmers, diversification is becoming a necessity to stay afloat rather than an option. Whilst diversifying can be daunting, the results can be exciting and rewarding.

For most farmers, taking the plunge and deciding to diversify is aprofitable decision. Some farmers even find that their side-project grows into their main business. However, finding the funds to set it up in the first place can be challenging.

Rural lending opportunities provide farmers with the means to expand and grow their business. Whatever your circumstances, it is worth speaking with a specialist rural lending business like our team here at Richmond Asset Finance to find out more about how our short-term and long-term rural lending services can help you to grow your business and income.

To discuss your vision in more detail, receive free help and advice, or find out what rural finance options are available to you, give our team a call on 0113 288 3277.

What effect could a no-deal Brexit have on the farming economy?

As a leaked cabinet letter warns of the chaos a no-deal Brexit could cause, we’ve looked at how it could affect the farming economy.

Earlier this month a leaked letter from cabinet secretary Sir Mark Sedwill warned that a no-deal Brexit could cause a 10% increase in food prices and a devastating UK-only recession worse than that of 2008.

This news came just days after the EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier warned that a no-deal Brexit is becoming more likely “day after day”.

As parliament currently work to try to stave off a no-deal outcome, we’ve looked at how this result could affect the farming economy.

The affects of a no-deal Brexit on the farming economy

Agriculture employs 3.8 million people and generates £113bn for Britain’s economy according to The UK in a Changing Europe. A no-deal Brexit is likely to throw the whole industry into turmoil, not just negatively affecting the farming economy, but Britain’s wider economy too.

Just a few of the potentially devastating effects a no-deal Brexit could have on UK farming include:

  • A ban on the export of animal products from the UK to the EU until the UK is granted approval.
  • Uncertainty over future import/export tariffs.
  • A ban on exporting organic products as the EU will no longer recognise UK organic certification bodies until approval is granted. Organic exports account for around 20% of the dairy industry’s total organic sales.

The process of applying for approval for export is not a quick one and can take months, during which time many farms would suffer significant losses that could put them out of business.

National Farmer’s Union president Minette Batters has warned that “a no-deal Brexit would be disastrous, not only for our farmers but for the public too” and that it should be “avoided at all costs”.

Why Is The Machine Finance Market Growing?

Machines are critical to growth in the manufacturing sector but they are often expensive and can eat into business profits without some form of financial help.

Traditionally business owners turn to the bank to provide straightforward business loans to help if there is insufficient cash in the business to purchase machines. Even if there is enough cash to buy a machine, a loan can be a more sensible way to buy equipment particularly if there is risk attached in making large investments as there often is in business. However, business loans from banks also come at a cost and interest rates can be high.

Having multiple loans can also leave a business vulnerable in a downturn and restrict any cash flow available to grow the business. Machine finance is growing in popularity because it unlocks funding when you need it.

So if your business requires a new machine that will cut down the amount of manual labour required to get jobs done such as a CNC machine, machine finance can help you acquire that machinery at a minimum upfront cost.

This means you get the benefit of improved efficiency and profitability while spreading the cost. It can also be tax efficient now that the government has increased the annual investment allowance. So it comes as no surprise that the machine finance sector has grown 9% year on year.

How To Grow Your Business on a Shoestring

It’s in every entrepreneur’s nature to want to grow their business, however doing it on a shoestring can be difficult but not impossible.

One of the most important things to think about as an entrepreneur starting a new business is future direction. Are you thinking big? Are you making plans to take the business to the next level?

If you are, then this is an important first step. As soon as you have the vision for where you want to take your business then you will need funds to bring your plans to fruition. This is where a lot of entrepreneurs fail.

They can often end up stuck in a rut without exploring the funding options available and rely on the business itself to generate the funds for growth. Unfortunately as almost every business owner knows, you can’t always rely on sales to fund expansion.

So it is worth considering funding options that will help clear the obstacles to future growth. These can include: 

Friends and family
Many successful business have started with help from friends and family. Just make sure you have a proper agreement set up from the outset in writing, just in case things don’t go according to plan.

The bank
Ok this may not be the best source of funding available. You will have a lot of interest to pay and banks won’t just lend to anyone, but if you can present a strong business plan, then there are plenty out there who will be willing to take the risk even if you are a small business owner.

Alternative business finance
Alternative forms of finance are flourishing. Asset based finance, crowd funding, funding from business angels and so on. You may even get better terms than from the bank with these alternatives.