Invoice Finance for Manufacturers
A manufacturer pays for materials and labour before it can deliver and invoice, then waits for the customer to pay. Invoice finance lets you draw most of each invoice once the goods are delivered, so you can pay for the next run without waiting. The customer pays as normal and the lender keeps a fee. Larger manufacturers can also borrow against stock and machinery. Market Invoice compares UK providers, and you can get 3 free quotes through our introduction partner, a UK invoice finance provider. See also our list of the best invoice finance for manufacturers.
What this page covers
This page covers
Invoice finance for UK manufacturers, what lenders check on manufacturing invoices, and lenders' published terms
Not covered here
Specific provider reviews (see /providers/), general invoice finance education (see /guides/), food manufacturing and engineering (see /industries/food-manufacturing/ and /industries/engineering/)
Why growing manufacturers run short
Each order ties up cash from the day you buy materials until the customer pays. When orders grow, the amount tied up grows with them, so a busy year can leave you shorter of cash than a quiet one.
Invoice finance grows with your sales, because you can draw against each new invoice. It does not cover the time while goods are still being made.
What lenders check on manufacturing invoices
- The goods are delivered. Lenders usually only fund invoices for finished goods the customer has received. Part-made work is not covered by invoice finance.
- Proof of delivery. Signed delivery notes or electronic proof of delivery help.
- One big customer. If a large share of your sales goes to one customer, lenders may limit how much they lend against that customer.
- Exports. Not every lender funds invoices to overseas customers. Our export invoice finance guide covers what to ask.
- Stock and machinery. Asset-based lending can add these to the borrowing. IGF says it lends up to 90% of trade debtor value, up to 85% of eligible stock value and up to 75% of plant and machinery value, for businesses with over £5m of turnover (read 14 October 2026).
For more on supply chain pressure, read our guide to invoice finance for manufacturing SMEs.
Lenders to compare
These lenders publish some of their terms. This is a starting list, not a ranking.
| Lender | Published minimum turnover | Paid up front | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skipton Business Finance | None published | Up to 90% | skiptonbusinessfinance.co.uk |
| Novuna Business Finance | None published | Up to 90% | novuna.co.uk |
| Bibby Financial Services | None published | Up to 85% | bibbyfinancialservices.com |
| Close Brothers Invoice Finance | £750k | Up to 90% | closeinvoice.co.uk |
| HSBC Invoice Finance | £1m | Up to 95% | business.hsbc.uk |
| IGF (Independent Growth Finance) | £5m | Up to 90% (receivables); stock up to 85%, plant up to 75% | igfgroup.com |
Figures as published on each lender's own website, checked 14 October 2026. None of these lenders publishes its fees.
Founder & Managing Director, Muswell Rose, founder and PSC of Best Business Loans Ltd
Adam is the founder and managing director of Muswell Rose and a founder of Best Business Loans Ltd, the company behind Market Invoice. He spent over three years as managing director of Penny, a UK invoice finance business, and his career runs through insurance, mortgages, commercial finance and fintech lending. He writes the Market Invoice library.
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