The challenge
A signed aerospace subcontract required additional milling capacity, but the new CNC cell had to be ordered before the first production invoices were raised.
What we did
A 72-month hire purchase facility using the signed contract, supplier specification and existing machine utilisation as evidence of affordability.
The outcome
The machine was commissioned in the production window and the contract moved from trial batch to recurring monthly orders.
The full story
How the deal came together.
Capacity became the constraint
Mercian's existing CNC machines were running close to full utilisation. A new aerospace subcontract created a profitable opportunity, but only if the business could add capacity quickly.
Evidence-led underwriting
We submitted the signed contract, supplier spec, production forecast and utilisation data. That let the lender underwrite forward capacity rather than relying only on historic turnover.
Outcome
The CNC cell was installed and commissioned before the first full production month. The finance payment is covered by the margin on the new contract with headroom for maintenance and tooling.
"AssetFi understood the machine paid for itself through the contract, not through last year's accounts alone."
Could you fund this?
If your business looks anything like Mercian, the answer is almost certainly yes.