Complete this online form with details of your enquiry and one of our advisors will call you back.
Materials Handling Equipment Finance arranged by Gable Business Finance
Skylifts play a vital role in UK materials handling environments where safe, reliable access at
height is required inside large industrial buildings and warehouses. These machines are
essential for maintaining, inspecting, and supporting the infrastructure that materials
handling systems depend on, including racking, conveyors, lighting, automation, and overhead
services.
At Gable Business Finance, we arrange tailored finance solutions for businesses
investing in skylifts as part of their wider materials handling equipment strategy. Whether
used daily in large distribution centres or periodically for maintenance and installation
tasks, skylifts are a critical operational asset that can be funded without straining cash
flow.
Arranged by Gable Business Finance
Skylifts are an essential part of modern materials handling operations across the UK. In large
warehouses, industrial buildings, manufacturing plants, and distribution centres, skylifts provide
safe and efficient access for maintenance, inspection, installation, and handling-related tasks
performed at height. However, purchasing skylifts outright can place significant strain on business
cash flow, particularly when specialist equipment or higher working heights are required.
Gable Business Finance specialises in arranging asset finance solutions for UK businesses that rely
on skylifts as part of their materials handling operations. By spreading the cost of new, used, or
refurbished skylifts over time, businesses can secure the access equipment they need while
maintaining liquidity and operational flexibility.
Asset finance for skylifts allows a UK business to acquire access equipment without paying the full
purchase price upfront. Instead, the cost is repaid through regular instalments over an agreed term.
The business gains immediate use of the skylift while preserving cash for day-to-day operations.
This form of finance is particularly well suited to materials handling environments where access
equipment is essential for safety, compliance, and productivity. Skylifts financed through asset
finance are typically secured against the equipment itself, often resulting in more competitive
terms than unsecured borrowing.
Within warehouses and industrial facilities, skylifts are used daily to support materials handling
infrastructure. Common applications include:
Because these activities are ongoing rather than occasional, many businesses choose to finance
skylifts rather than rely on repeated short-term hire.
Asset finance allows businesses to match the cost of skylifts to their operational use. Instead of
a large capital outlay, repayments are spread evenly, making budgeting easier and protecting working
capital.
For businesses that use skylifts as part of revenue-generating services, finance repayments can
often be aligned directly with contract income, helping maintain positive cash flow throughout the
agreement.
Gable Business Finance arranges funding for a wide range of skylifts used in the UK materials
handling sector, including:
Both new and used skylifts can be financed, subject to suitability and remaining working life.
Hire purchase is one of the most common ways UK materials handling businesses finance skylifts.
Under a hire purchase agreement:
Hire purchase is ideal for businesses that intend to keep skylifts long-term as part of their core
equipment fleet.
Lease finance allows a business to use a skylift for a fixed period without committing to ownership.
The finance provider purchases the equipment, and the business pays regular rentals for its use.
Leasing is often chosen where flexibility is important, or where businesses prefer to upgrade access
equipment regularly to maintain safety standards and efficiency.
Operating leases are typically used when a skylift is required for a defined period or specific
project. Agreements are usually shorter than hire purchase or finance leases, and the equipment is
returned at the end of the term.
This structure can be suitable for specialist access requirements or temporary site expansions.
Asset refinance allows businesses to release capital from skylifts they already own. The equipment
is used as security for a finance agreement, providing a cash injection while the business continues
to use the skylift.
Refinance is often used to fund growth, upgrade facilities, or purchase additional materials
handling equipment without disrupting operations.
In most asset finance agreements, responsibility for maintenance, servicing, and insurance rests
with the business. This ensures that skylifts remain safe, compliant, and operational throughout
the finance term.
Proper maintenance is particularly important in materials handling environments where working at
height regulations are strictly enforced.
Many UK businesses choose to finance used skylifts as a cost-effective alternative to buying new.
Well-maintained used equipment can deliver many years of service while offering lower monthly
repayments.
Gable Business Finance works with lenders experienced in assessing both new and used access
equipment to ensure appropriate funding structures.
By avoiding large upfront payments, asset finance helps protect cash flow. Funds remain available
for wages, stock, energy costs, and operational investment.
This flexibility is particularly valuable for materials handling businesses operating in
high-volume, time-sensitive environments.
Rates and terms vary depending on factors such as the age and value of the skylift, whether the
equipment is new or used, trading history, and agreement structure.
Because skylifts are tangible, high-value assets, asset finance is often more competitive than
unsecured borrowing options.
In some cases, asset finance may still be available even where credit history is less than perfect.
Lenders assess affordability, asset value, and operational use alongside credit profile.
Gable Business Finance works to structure applications responsibly and present them to appropriate
lenders.
Asset finance is widely used by sole traders, partnerships, limited companies, and start-ups. The
skylift itself provides security, which can make finance accessible even with limited trading
history.
Asset finance agreements in the UK operate under recognised lending standards designed to protect
business customers. Gable Business Finance works only with reputable lenders that adhere to these
standards.
Gable Business Finance specialises in asset finance for the UK materials handling sector. We
understand how skylifts are used in real operational environments and structure funding around your
business needs.
From initial assessment through to completion, we manage the entire finance process, ensuring a
clear, efficient, and responsible outcome.
If your business requires new or used skylifts for warehouse, industrial, or logistics operations,
Gable Business Finance can arrange a tailored asset finance solution.
In materials handling operations, skylifts are powered access machines designed to lift
personnel, tools, and equipment to elevated working positions within warehouses, factories, and
logistics buildings. Unlike fixed access solutions, skylifts provide flexible, mobile access to
high-level areas where ongoing maintenance and handling-related tasks are required.
They are particularly valuable in large, high-bay environments where materials handling
infrastructure is installed well above ground level and requires regular inspection or
adjustment.
Materials handling relies on more than just forklifts and conveyors. The supporting
infrastructure must be maintained to ensure safety, efficiency, and compliance. Skylifts
enable businesses to carry out essential tasks without disrupting operational flow.
Common materials handling-related uses for skylifts include:
By providing safe access at height, skylifts reduce reliance on ladders or scaffolding and help
minimise downtime during maintenance work.
Skylifts are used across a wide range of UK sectors where materials handling systems operate
within large or complex buildings:
In each of these environments, skylifts enable safe and efficient access to critical handling
infrastructure without interrupting core operations.
Skylifts represent a significant investment, particularly for businesses operating multiple
sites or large-scale facilities. Financing allows companies to acquire the right equipment
while preserving working capital.
UK materials handling businesses choose to finance skylifts in order to:
Financing ensures skylifts can be deployed where needed without delaying critical maintenance
or installation work.
Hire purchase allows your business to spread the cost of a skylift over fixed monthly payments.
The equipment is used from day one, with ownership transferring to your business once the final
payment is made. This option is well suited to skylifts that form a permanent part of your
materials handling operation.
Lease finance provides access to skylifts without committing to ownership. This is ideal where
access requirements may change due to seasonal demand, warehouse expansion, or evolving
materials handling layouts.
Business loans can be used where skylifts are part of a wider materials handling investment,
such as a full warehouse upgrade, automation project, or building refurbishment.
Asset refinance allows businesses to unlock cash from existing machinery, vehicles, or
materials handling equipment. The released funds can then be reinvested into skylifts or other
access equipment while continuing normal operations.
Investing in modern skylifts delivers significant benefits for materials handling businesses:
These benefits directly support productivity and long-term operational resilience.
Gable Business Finance specialises in asset finance for the UK materials handling sector. We
understand how access equipment like skylifts supports day-to-day handling operations and the
importance of keeping sites operational and compliant.
Materials Handling Equipment Finance arranged by Gable Business Finance
Skylifts and powered access equipment are critical assets across the UK materials handling sector.
From high-bay warehouses and automated fulfilment centres to large industrial yards and multi-site
logistics operations, businesses depend on safe, reliable access at height to maintain productivity,
compliance, and operational continuity.
At Gable Business Finance, we arrange asset finance for new and used skylifts,
including boom lifts, scissor lifts, low-level access platforms, tracked booms (spider lifts),
truck mounts, van mounts, and telehandlers. These machines are often essential but capital-intensive,
so structured funding enables businesses to acquire the right equipment while protecting cash flow.
The case studies below show how Gable supports UK businesses with hire purchase,
lease finance, business loans, and asset refinance solutions
designed around operational requirements, utilisation patterns, and working-capital priorities.
Industry & site type: Contractor supporting multiple UK distribution centres
Operational challenge: Hire costs and availability issues were delaying outdoor maintenance works.
Skylift requirement: A used diesel articulated boom lift suited to outdoor yards and building exteriors.
The contractor routinely carried out roof inspections, cladding repairs, dock-door servicing, and
external lighting work. Hiring boom lifts was becoming expensive and unreliable during peak periods,
and the contractor needed guaranteed access across several sites without tying up working capital.
Finance solution arranged by Gable Business Finance: Hire purchase for a used diesel boom lift, structured over five years with repayments aligned to contract income.
Outcome: Reduced hire dependency, improved job scheduling, stronger margins, and a clear route to ownership.
Industry & site type: E-commerce fulfilment centre with conveyor and sortation systems
Operational challenge: Peak trading periods amplified the impact of minor faults on overhead handling infrastructure.
Skylift requirement: A new electric boom lift for indoor maintenance with minimal emissions.
The site relied on overhead conveyors, sensors, and scanning equipment. When faults occurred, waiting
for hired access equipment created unacceptable delays, particularly during promotions and seasonal peaks.
The business wanted a modern machine with predictable operation and reduced downtime risk.
Finance solution arranged by Gable Business Finance: Lease finance with fixed repayments to preserve working capital for stockholding and seasonal labour.
Outcome: Faster response to faults, improved throughput stability, and reduced peak-season operational risk.
Industry & site type: Retail distribution centre supporting store replenishment
Operational challenge: Inconsistent access equipment availability and rising hire costs affected planned maintenance.
Skylift requirement: Three electric scissor lifts for safe vertical access within aisles and loading zones.
The maintenance team required stable platforms for lighting checks, sprinkler inspections, signage
installation, and routine building works. Hiring equipment caused delays and inconsistent site routines.
The business wanted dedicated access equipment that could be deployed immediately during planned works.
Finance solution arranged by Gable Business Finance: Hire purchase across multiple units, spreading costs while building ownership in frequently used assets.
Outcome: Reduced downtime, fewer disruptions to picking, and improved compliance with working-at-height practices.
Industry & site type: Manufacturing facility with extensive outdoor yards and loading canopies
Operational challenge: External maintenance work required reliable access equipment capable of handling weather and uneven yard conditions.
Skylift requirement: A diesel scissor lift for outdoor work with robust platform capacity.
The business needed a dependable solution for maintaining yard lighting, exterior services, canopy
structures, and building infrastructure around loading bays. The company preferred not to commit a large
upfront spend during a period of production investment.
Finance solution arranged by Gable Business Finance: Lease finance with flexible structuring to reflect the business’s operational budget planning.
Outcome: Reliable outdoor access without a major capital outlay and improved scheduling of preventative maintenance.
Industry & site type: Pharmaceutical and healthcare logistics facility
Operational challenge: Ladder-based working increased safety risk and slowed routine checks across racking zones.
Skylift requirement: Multiple compact low-level personnel platforms as a safer alternative to ladders and towers.
The site carried out frequent inspections on high-value stock locations, environmental sensors,
lighting, and racking protection. The business wanted compact equipment that could be used quickly,
safely, and repeatedly without disrupting warehouse traffic.
Finance solution arranged by Gable Business Finance: Hire purchase with low monthly repayments suited to high-frequency, long-term use.
Outcome: Improved safety culture, faster inspections, and stronger compliance support through consistent access methods.
Industry & site type: Contractor specialising in warehouse retrofits and fit-outs
Operational challenge: Conventional booms were too large for tight internal access and could present floor-loading issues.
Skylift requirement: A used tracked boom (spider lift) for compact, agile access on difficult sites.
The contractor required safe access between racking, mezzanines, and tight service corridors. A tracked
boom provided stability and manoeuvrability while enabling the team to complete installations without
excessive site disruption.
Finance solution arranged by Gable Business Finance: Hire purchase for used equipment, enabling cost-effective acquisition while preserving liquidity.
Outcome: Expanded capability to complete complex retrofits, improved mobilisation, and reduced hire costs on recurring projects.
Industry & site type: Logistics operator managing multiple depots and industrial units
Operational challenge: Waiting for third-party access hire delayed repairs and created inconsistent standards across sites.
Skylift requirement: A truck-mounted access platform to support lighting, CCTV, signage, and roofline maintenance across locations.
The operator needed rapid response capability across a network of sites. A truck-mounted platform enabled
mobile maintenance teams to cover multiple depots efficiently, keeping facilities operational and reducing
repeated external call-outs.
Finance solution arranged by Gable Business Finance: Hire purchase structured to match the asset’s utilisation and the business’s maintenance budgets.
Outcome: Lower hire spend, faster response times, and improved standardisation across the site network.
Industry & site type: Facilities management firm servicing warehouses and industrial parks
Operational challenge: Engineers needed flexible, rapid access at height while travelling between client sites daily.
Skylift requirement: A van-mounted access platform to support frequent call-outs with controlled working-at-height capability.
The business required a practical solution for multi-site work where downtime penalties and service-level
commitments were strict. A van mount allowed engineers to respond quickly and complete tasks without
additional hire logistics.
Finance solution arranged by Gable Business Finance: Lease finance with predictable repayments to keep costs stable while supporting business growth.
Outcome: Faster call-out response, improved contract performance, and better cost control compared with repeated short-term hires.
Industry & site type: Logistics hub supporting construction materials and palletised goods
Operational challenge: The site required a single machine that could lift loads and support elevated access tasks.
Skylift requirement: A telehandler capable of lifting products and equipment to height with strong load capacity for yard operations.
The business needed flexibility for moving palletised goods, handling bulky materials, and placing
equipment into elevated storage or work positions. The telehandler provided a practical solution for
variable, yard-based materials handling tasks.
Finance solution arranged by Gable Business Finance: Hire purchase matched to contract revenue, allowing the machine to pay for itself through operational productivity.
Outcome: Improved yard throughput, reduced reliance on third-party handling, and strengthened site flexibility.
Industry & site type: Established materials handling business with existing equipment fleet
Operational challenge: The business needed to modernise access equipment but wanted to preserve cash for inventory and staffing.
Skylift requirement: A mix of new and used access equipment to replace older machines and improve safety.
The company already owned valuable assets and wanted to upgrade. Rather than commit cash reserves, the
business used the value in its existing equipment to raise capital for modern skylifts and access platforms.
Finance solution arranged by Gable Business Finance: Asset refinance against existing equipment to release capital, then reinvested into replacement skylifts.
Outcome: Access fleet modernised without operational disruption, supporting safer working and improved compliance.
Industry & site type: National logistics and infrastructure maintenance operator working across high-bay distribution hubs and large industrial buildings
Operational challenge: The operator needed exceptional working height for high-reach inspection and maintenance tasks without relying on long-lead-time specialist hire.
Skylift requirement: A truck-mounted Bronto Skylift 70m aerial platform to provide high-reach access with rapid mobilisation between sites.
The business maintained tall building infrastructure, including roofline assets, cladding systems,
high-mast lighting, and elevated safety installations across multiple large-scale sites. Specialist
hired platforms at this height were costly and often unavailable with the short notice required.
The operator also needed to avoid extended downtime on client sites, where maintenance windows were
restricted due to operational throughput requirements.
A truck-mounted Bronto Skylift platform offered the reach and mobility needed to move quickly between
sites while retaining safe working-at-height performance. The machine was a major investment, and
the operator wanted a funding structure that reflected contract cash flow and asset utilisation.
Finance solution arranged by Gable Business Finance: A tailored asset finance package combining hire purchase with structured repayments aligned to contracted work volumes, enabling acquisition without restricting working capital.
Outcome: The operator reduced dependence on specialist hire, improved response times for high-reach tasks, secured more contracts requiring extreme access capability, and strengthened margins by controlling availability and mobilisation.
Across warehousing, e-commerce, manufacturing, food and beverage, healthcare logistics, retail distribution,
and contractor environments, skylifts are consistently:
Gable Business Finance arranges funding for new and used skylifts used within UK materials handling environments.
We structure repayments to match operational reality, whether you require daily access capability, multi-site
response readiness, or project-based deployment.
If your business requires skylifts to support materials handling maintenance, installation, or
operational efficiency, Gable Business Finance can arrange a tailored finance solution to meet
your needs.
© 2026 Gable Business Finance. Specialist asset finance brokers for the UK materials handling
sector.