The forestry and mining industries move on machines. Harvesters, skidders, haul trucks, and crushers aren’t optional assets; they’re the lifeblood of your operation. And yet, financing them can feel more complicated than running the business itself.
As commodity markets swing and project timelines tighten, operators often find themselves in a bind: how do you access the specialized equipment you need without tying up all your capital?
Why Financing Specialized Equipment is Different
Traditional lenders like banks are unfamiliar with the forestry and mining equipment that is so critical to these businesses.
- Lack of lender guidance or insight into the business’s best capital structure
- Rigid loan terms that don’t flex with seasonal or project-driven revenue
- Delays in approval that don’t match the pace of contract opportunities
Understanding these hurdles is the first step to building smarter strategies.
Key Financing Strategies for Forestry & Mining Operators
Leaders in these industries are finding success with financing structures that reflect the reality of their work:
- Equipment financing & leasing – Protect cash flow while acquiring new or replacement machinery. Leasing can also offer tax advantages depending on your structure.
- Asset-based lending (ABL) – Unlock capital tied up in existing equipment or receivables to support expansion or stabilize cash flow.
- Debt restructuring – Simplify obligations and align repayment schedules with production cycles.
- Revolving credit lines secured by equipment – Provide ongoing flexibility to respond quickly to market opportunities.
By thinking beyond traditional term loans, companies can better align financing with their operational rhythms.
Managing Risk in Volatile Markets
Commodity-driven industries face natural volatility. Smart executives mitigate that risk by pairing financing decisions with proactive planning:
- Forecasting multiple scenarios: Build cash flow models for both high and low commodity pricing.
- Aligning financing terms with production cycles: Choose repayment schedules that reflect seasonal downtime or harvest seasons.
- Maintaining fleet flexibility: Mix owned, leased, and rented equipment to balance long-term investment with short-term agility.
These strategies allow operators to capture upside in strong markets while remaining resilient in downturns.
Equify’s Perspective
At Equify Financial, we’ve spent more than a decade working alongside businesses in forestry, mining, and other capital-intensive industries. The lesson is clear: financing isn’t just about getting approved for a loan—it’s about structuring capital so the business can move forward with confidence.
Our role is to help leaders see financing not as a barrier, but as a lever for growth.
As global demand for timber, minerals, and aggregates continues to rise, the companies best positioned to capture opportunity will be those with both the right equipment and the right capital strategy.
If your business is considering expansion, replacement of aging fleets, or restructuring current debt, now is the time to explore financing solutions that align with your goals.
Schedule a free consultation and we’ll talk through your operation, your equipment needs, and your long-term ambitions—and help you map out a path to achieving them.