Manufacturing businesses operate on some of the most capital-intensive economics in small business — large equipment investments, raw material inventory purchased weeks before production, and net-30/60/90 payment terms that leave months of completed work unpaid. Crestmont Capital provides manufacturing business loans structured around how production companies actually operate: equipment financing for CNC machines and production lines, working capital for raw material inventory, invoice factoring for long-payment customers, and purchase order financing for large contracts. Fast approval, revenue-based underwriting, and product structures matched to manufacturing cycles.
Manufacturing businesses face capital challenges that generic small business lenders misunderstand. The production cycle creates inherent cash flow timing problems: raw materials must be purchased and paid for before a product is manufactured, assembled, quality-tested, shipped, invoiced, and eventually paid — a cycle that can take 60-180 days from cash out to cash in.
According to the National Association of Manufacturers, small and medium manufacturers consistently cite access to working capital as their top financial challenge. See also: equipment financing and invoice factoring.
Equipment financing uses the purchased machinery as collateral, enabling lower rates. CNC machines $50K-$500K, injection molding $100K-$1M, laser cutting $50K-$300K, industrial robots $50K-$500K, conveyor systems $20K-$150K, forklifts $20K-$80K. Terms 3-7 years matched to equipment useful life. See our equipment financing page.
Working capital loans fund raw material purchases, labor, and operating costs before a production cycle generates revenue. Short-term (3-18 months), sized to cover 1-3 production cycles.
PO financing provides capital to fulfill large contracts — the lender advances 50-90% of the purchase order value to cover materials and production costs. Repayment comes from the customer payment when the order is fulfilled. See our purchase order financing page.
Invoice factoring advances 80-90% of outstanding invoices immediately, eliminating the Net-30/60/90 wait. See our invoice factoring page. No credit minimum — customer credit quality is what matters.
A revolving business line of credit provides ongoing access to working capital — draw for raw material purchases, repay when the production run ships and invoices clear, draw again.
SBA 7(a) loans provide the best rates and longest terms for established manufacturers. Manufacturing is a priority sector for SBA lending due to its economic multiplier effect. Terms up to 10 years.
Facility acquisition, expansion, or buildout loans for manufacturers needing larger production space. Terms 5-25 years. See our long-term business loans page.
| Requirement | Typical Threshold | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Credit Score | 620+ preferred | Equipment loans possible at 580+ with strong collateral |
| Time in Business | 2+ years | SBA loans require 2 years; equipment financing available sooner |
| Annual Revenue | $500,000+ | Scales with loan amount; production contract value also considered |
| Equipment Collateral | For equipment loans | Equipment reduces credit requirements significantly |
| Accounts Receivable | For invoice factoring | Customer credit quality matters more than borrower credit |
| Product | Typical Rate | Term | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment Financing | 6%–20% APR | 3–7 years | CNC, robots, production lines |
| Working Capital Loan | 15%–40% APR | 6–18 months | Raw materials, labor, operations |
| Purchase Order Financing | 2%–6% per 30 days | 30–120 days | Large contract fulfillment |
| Invoice Factoring | 1%–4% per 30 days | 30–90 days | Eliminate Net-30/60/90 wait |
| Business Line of Credit | 12%–35% APR | Revolving | Ongoing production cycle capital |
| SBA 7(a) Loan | Prime + 2.75–4.75% | Up to 10 years | Best rates, established manufacturers |
| Sector | Common Needs | Best Products |
|---|---|---|
| Metal Fabrication & Machining | CNC machines, raw steel, laser cutting | Equipment financing, working capital, LOC |
| Food & Beverage Processing | Processing equipment, ingredients, certifications | Equipment financing, working capital, SBA |
| Plastics & Injection Molding | Injection molding machines, resin inventory | Equipment financing, working capital |
| Electronics & Assembly | Component inventory, assembly equipment, large contracts | PO financing, invoice factoring, working capital |
| Aerospace & Defense | Specialized equipment, long production cycles | SBA loan, equipment financing, PO financing |
| Furniture & Wood Products | CNC routers, finishing equipment, lumber | Equipment financing, working capital |
| Printing & Packaging | Digital/offset presses, paper inventory | Equipment financing, working capital, LOC |
| Textiles & Apparel | Sewing machines, fabric inventory, large retail orders | PO financing, invoice factoring, working capital |
A precision machining shop has a 6-month backlog. A second 5-axis CNC machine at $220,000 would eliminate it and enable $1.8M in additional annual contracts. Equipment financing at 10% over 5 years = $4,680/month. The additional contracts add $150,000/month — a 32x monthly payment multiple.
A food packaging manufacturer wins a $950,000 contract requiring $180,000 in materials upfront. Customer pays Net-60. A $180,000 working capital loan at 18% over 6 months = $4,200/month. The contract nets $285,000 in gross margin. Net after financing: $259,200.
A metal fabricator has $480,000 in outstanding invoices on Net-60/90 terms. Payroll is due in 10 days: $85,000. Invoice factoring at 2.5%/30 days on $480,000 = $12,000 cost. Payroll made, materials purchased, operations continue.
An injection molding company's primary press fails mid-production on a $650,000 automotive contract. Replacement: $340,000. Equipment financing approved in 4 days. Press operational in 2 weeks. Contract delivered on time. Monthly payment $6,200 over 6 years, covered 100x by contract revenue.
| Product | Speed | Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment Financing | 3–7 days | 6%–20% APR | Machinery, production equipment |
| Working Capital Loan | 2–5 days | 15%–40% APR | Raw materials, production cycles |
| PO Financing | 1–5 days | 2%–6%/30 days | Large contract fulfillment |
| Invoice Factoring | 24–72 hours | 1%–4%/30 days | Eliminate receivables wait |
| SBA 7(a) Loan | 4–8 weeks | Prime + 2.75–4.75% | Best rates, expansion |
Join manufacturers across the U.S. who chose Crestmont Capital.
Apply Today →Crestmont Capital provides manufacturing financing access across the full spectrum — equipment, working capital, PO financing, invoice factoring, SBA, and lines of credit — through a single application. We understand production cycles, contract-based revenue, and equipment collateral values.
Related: equipment financing, purchase order financing, invoice factoring, SBA loans.
All manufacturing sectors: metal fabrication, food processing, plastics, electronics, aerospace, furniture, printing, textiles, and more. The key factors are annual revenue ($500K+) and documented production history.
PO financing advances 50-90% of a verified purchase order's value to fund material costs. When the customer pays, the advance is repaid. It turns large contract wins into capital opportunities rather than cash flow crises.
Invoice factoring advances 80-90% of outstanding invoices immediately. No credit minimum — your customer's creditworthiness drives approval. Standard in manufacturing due to Net-30/60/90 payment terms.
620+ for most conventional products. Equipment financing at 580+ with collateral. Invoice factoring and PO financing have no credit minimum. SBA loans prefer 680+.
$50,000 to $5,000,000+. Equipment loans sized to equipment value (80-90% LTV). Working capital sized to 3-6 months of operating expenses. PO financing sized to individual purchase orders.
Equipment financing is most accessible — the machinery provides collateral. Startups with strong personal credit (700+) and verified contracts can often access equipment financing in their first year.
Core: 2 years business tax returns, 6-12 months bank statements, AR aging report (for factoring), current purchase orders (for PO financing or working capital sizing), equipment quotes (for equipment financing).
Moderate risk — lower than hospitality or retail because production contracts provide revenue visibility, equipment provides collateral, and B2B customer bases are stable. Primary risks are equipment obsolescence and single-customer concentration.
Fast decisions. Manufacturing expertise. Apply now with Crestmont Capital.
Get Funded Now →Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for general educational purposes only and is not financial, legal, or tax advice. Funding terms, qualifications, and product availability may vary and are subject to change without notice. Crestmont Capital does not guarantee approval, rates, or specific outcomes. For personalized information about your manufacturing financing options, contact our team directly.