Industries

Food and Beverage Companies

Producers, brands and food distributors finance processing equipment, co-packer runs and receivables from grocers. Lenders pay close attention to shelf life, retailer deductions and federal trust rules that protect unpaid produce sellers.

Importers

Importers use letters of credit, documentary collections and import loans to pay overseas suppliers, then rely on inventory lines once goods arrive. Duties, freight and customs bonds all add to the cash needed before a single sale.

Industry Guides

• Manufacturing Financing

• Distribution Financing

• Wholesale Financing

• Food and Beverage Financing

• Import and Trade Finance

Explore Financing Options for Your Business

Start with the guide that matches your industry, then compare the loan, line and lease options it describes against your own cash cycle. Many businesses span more than one category, such as a manufacturer that also imports materials, so reading two guides can be useful. Knowing where your cash gets tied up is the first step toward choosing financing that fits.

Financing needs differ by industry because each business model ties up cash in different places. A manufacturer has money locked in machines and materials, a distributor in shelves and invoices, and an importer in goods that are still at sea.

The guides in this section explain the financing each industry tends to use and what lenders look for when they review those businesses. Each one covers the main loan types, the collateral lenders accept and the questions worth asking before you sign.

Manufacturers

Manufacturers commonly combine equipment loans and leases with asset-based lines secured by receivables, raw materials and finished goods. Larger investments, such as a new plant or production line, often call for commercial mortgages or SBA-guaranteed loans.

Distributors

Distributors carry large inventories and wait on customer payments, so revolving lines backed by receivables and inventory are the core tool. Some also use manufacturer-backed channel programs, factoring, and equipment financing for trucks and warehouse systems.

Wholesalers

Wholesalers buy in volume and sell to retailers on terms. Inventory lines, purchase order financing and supplier credit help them capture early-payment discounts, fund seasonal buys and carry receivables from large retail accounts.