Leasing Construction Equipment New and Used

Leasing construction equipment new and used is a huge part of Canada’s equipment financing industry. The fact that used equipment can be financed at satisfactory rates terms and structures is sometimes news to Canadian business owners and financial managers.

The reality is that this type of financing is a somewhat specialized area of finance and we urge clients to seek a trusted, credible and experienced lease and financing consultant or advisor in this area of Canadian business financing.
Used equipment, particularly in the construction industry, (but in reality a variety of other industries) is financed to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

The equipment plays itself out in a variety of different ways – Companies grow, the acquire other firms, some firms go unfortunately, out of business , yet at the same time the values of equipment hold up significantly due to the quality and nature of the products .

Naturally we have just gone through one of the most difficult times in the global economy ever, and , as such , for some of the aforementioned reasons there is a variety of equipment for sale and for re financing .
We would point out to clients that it is very prudent to liken the acquisition of used construction and heavy equipment to renewing your mortgage. By knowing you are pre approved at certain rates and structures gives you significant purchase leverage when negotiating a final price. Even though some industries and sectors, geographic and otherwise are in a slump there is still a deal to be made on a variety of heavy equipment.

When you are acquiring used equipment, construction or otherwise, you should be looking for the same type of leases that you would entertain for other business equipment financing. You have, as always, two options – lease to own, known as a capital lease, or a ‘lease to use’, more commonly known as an operating lease. Given the high dollar values of some of the larger equipment it clearly might make sense to entertain an operating lease if that type of lease can be negotiated satisfactorily. That comes of course with off balance sheet flexibility, and, as importantly, the ability to purchase, upgrade or renew at the end of the lease; and that’s your decision at the time, not the lessors!

Just look at the benefits of such financing. If you can derive both productivity and profits from a piece of used equipment, and get financing in place that is satisfactory in overall pricing, terms and structure you have saved many thousands of dollars in purchase price .

All of the traditional flexibility that is associated with lease financing accrues towards used equipment financing also – they include better cash flow management, the ability to control obsolescence, and the ability to put ‘good debt ‘on your balance sheet – i.e. assets that will be used for production and profits. You should also remember that you can negotiate to include soft costs in your used construction equipment financing – they might include warranty, maintenance, delivery and installation.
Years ago the American firm CIT did a study on why contractors and firms leased equipment – the results were very interesting:

- Many firms leased because they saw a limited need for the asset – i.e. not a permanent need

- Unexpected need for equipment often came up as a driver in lease financing

- Interestingly enough cost was never really the major driver in the lease or purchase decision – as you thought it might be of course

- Continually upgrading leases was also cited, given the need to stay current and competitive

So whats our bottom line – simply that you should consider the used equipment construction market for asset acquisition when it makes sense – and by working with an expert lease partner you should be able to maximize the benefits of your acquisition from both a financing and productivity viewpoint . That’s solid Canadian business financing sense!

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Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial - http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com
Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 6 years - has completed in excess of 45 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details:
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/leasing_construction_equipment_new_and_used.html