Manufacturer loans for the cash gaps that stop production.
A loan is not always the right structure for a manufacturer. Compare SBA and term loans with equipment financing, factoring, PO financing, working capital, and asset-based lending. We place your file with an independent funding institution, not our own balance sheet.
What are manufacturer loans?
Manufacturer loans are funding structures built around a shop's production cycle: buying materials, running equipment, delivering goods, and waiting for commercial customers to pay. SBA and term loans are traditional loans, but equipment financing, factoring, PO financing, working capital, and asset-based lending can fit the same needs. The right program depends on your customers, credit, revenue, collateral, and use of funds.
Match the funding structure to the cash gap
"Manufacturer loans" and "manufacturing loans" can describe several ways to fund a shop. Start with the source of repayment. A customer invoice, a confirmed PO, a machine, or a long-term growth plan each points to a different structure.
Traditional loan
SBA and term loans
Long-term expansion, real estate, acquisitions, or planned growth.
Up to $5M, about Prime + 2.75–4.75% directionally, and 45–120 days.
Explore this programSecured financing
Equipment financing
CNC machines, production lines, tooling, vehicles, and other equipment.
Up to 100% of equipment cost, about 7–18% APR directionally, and 5–15 business days.
Explore this programReceivables sale
Invoice factoring
B2B or B2G invoices where your cash is tied up in net-15 to net-90 terms.
Typically 80–95% of the invoice, about 1–3.5% per 30 days, and 3–10 days.
Explore this programOrder-backed funding
Purchase order financing
A confirmed order you can produce but cannot self-fund.
Up to 100% of supplier cost, about 2–6% per 30 days, and 2–4 weeks.
Explore this programShort-term facility
Working capital
Payroll, materials, or a short gap that does not map to 1 invoice.
$25K–$5M, factor rates or APR that vary, and 2–7 business days.
Explore this programCollateral-backed line
Asset-based lending
Established manufacturers with meaningful receivables and inventory.
Up to 85% AR plus 50% inventory, about SOFR + 3–8%, and 3–8 weeks.
Explore this programEvery number above is directional, not a quote. The funding institution sets actual rates, fees, terms, and approval after underwriting your file.
Honest ballpark ranges
No teaser rates. Anyone promising a specific number before seeing your file is guessing. Here's the honest range each program tends to price and fund in — your actual offer depends on your customers, credit, revenue, and industry.
| Program | Advance / Size | Typical Cost | Speed to Fund | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invoice Factoring | 80–95% of invoice | ~1–3.5% per 30 days | 3–10 days to first fund | Slow-paying commercial/gov customers |
| Equipment Financing | Up to 100% of cost | ~7–18% APR (credit-driven) | 5–15 business days | Buying/replacing machinery |
| PO Financing | Up to 100% of supplier cost | ~2–6% per 30 days | 2–4 weeks | Large POs from strong buyers |
| Working Capital | $25K–$5M | Factor rates or APR — varies | 2–7 business days | Short-term gap coverage |
| Asset-Based Lending | Up to 85% AR + 50% inventory | ~SOFR + 3–8% | 3–8 weeks | $5M+ ledger, sustained borrowing |
| SBA / Term Loan | Up to $5M | ~Prime + 2.75–4.75% | 45–120 days | Long-term, real estate, expansion |
Ranges are directional. Your placement report will show real terms specific to your file.
Which structure fits?
- Choose an SBA or term loan when the need is long-term and the file supports a longer underwriting process.
- Choose equipment financing when a machine is the asset creating the repayment capacity.
- Choose factoring when delivered invoices are strong but customer payment terms are slowing production.
- Choose PO financing when a confirmed order exists but materials or supplier payments come first.
- Choose working capital or ABL when the need is broader than 1 invoice and the business has operating history or collateral.
What underwriters review
Expect questions about time in business, revenue, bank activity, customer concentration, payment terms, existing liens, credit, inventory, equipment, and the exact use of funds. The program determines which evidence matters most. A factoring review emphasizes your customers' ability to pay. A term loan review emphasizes your business's ability to repay.
Manufactor Finance is an independent commercial finance broker. We are not a bank, lender, or investor. We do not charge application, origination, or closing fees.
Am I a fit?
10-second prequalifier
If most of these describe your shop, we can almost certainly place you into a program.
US-based manufacturer
You produce goods in the United States.
B2B or B2G customers
You invoice other businesses or government agencies — not consumers.
$25K+ in monthly revenue
Or a confirmed purchase order that gets you there.
Net-15 to net-90 terms
Your customers pay on invoice terms, not COD.
Not sure? We'll tell you honestly — no fees to you either way.
Manufacturer loans by market
Local pages explain the programs manufacturers use in each major production market. Start with a metro, then compare the programs and industry paths available there.
We are proud to support American manufacturing and our partner, the American Manufacturing Association. Manufactor Finance is a Preferred Partner of the American Manufacturing Association (AMFGA) and commits 25% of every dollar we earn to AMFGA. The 2 organizations are independent, and neither owns the other. AMFGA is a manufacturing association, not a bank, lender, or funding institution: it does not review applications, underwrite, approve, price, endorse, or guarantee any funding offer. All rates, terms, and approval decisions are made solely by the independent funding institution.
Manufacturer loan questions
Sometimes. The strongest starting points for a challenged credit file are invoice factoring, purchase order financing, and equipment financing because underwriting can lean on your customers, confirmed orders, or the equipment itself. SBA loans and bank lines usually weigh personal and business credit more heavily. The right answer depends on your revenue, customers, collateral, and the reason for the credit problem.
There is no single minimum score across manufacturing loans. Equipment, working capital, and SBA programs typically price more favorably with stronger personal and business credit. Factoring and PO financing may be workable with weaker owner credit when the customer or confirmed order is strong. The funding institution sets the actual credit requirements during underwriting.
No. Invoice factoring is the sale of unpaid B2B or B2G receivables to a funding institution at a discount. The factor advances part of the invoice, collects from the customer, and releases the reserve less its fee. It is different from a loan because the transaction is built around an asset you already own, not a fixed-term debt facility.
The best fit depends on where cash is stuck. SBA or term loans suit long-term expansion, equipment financing suits a machine purchase, and a working capital facility suits a short operating gap. Factoring, PO financing, and asset-based lending can be better than a traditional loan when receivables, inventory, or a confirmed order is the source of repayment.
Directional timing ranges from 2 to 7 business days for working capital, 5 to 15 business days for equipment financing, 3 to 8 weeks for asset-based lending, and 45 to 120 days for SBA or term loans. Factoring usually takes 3 to 10 days, while PO financing commonly takes 2 to 4 weeks. A complete file helps, but no one can promise timing before review.
No. Manufactor Finance is an independent commercial finance broker for US manufacturers. We identify a suitable program and funding institution, help prepare the file, and you sign directly with that institution. We do not lend from our own balance sheet, and we do not charge application, origination, or closing fees.
Ready to keep production moving?
Start with a quick app or a phone call. We'll tell you exactly what the right program requires. At no charge.
Apply. Fund. Deliver. No obligation.
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