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Financing and leasing used machines - what you need to know

In mechanical engineering, investments in high-performance equipment are among the key factors for productivity and competitiveness. Used machinery represents an attractive alternative to new purchases—especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). However, when it comes to financing such machines, many questions arise: What models are available? What risks and opportunities should be considered? And how can investments be strategically planned? This article provides an overview of the most important aspects of financing and leasing used machinery—objective, professional, and practical..

Market opportunities through used machinery

The market for used machinery in mechanical engineering has grown significantly in recent years. Reasons for this include rising raw material prices, longer delivery times for new machines, and an increasing focus on sustainability. For companies, used machinery offers access to high-quality technology at lower investment costs..

Especially in economically uncertain times, acquiring used equipment can be strategically sensible: it allows for flexibility while maintaining cost control. Start-ups and growth-oriented businesses also benefit – they can scale more quickly without committing long-term..

A current trend is the combination of used machines with digital retrofitting to elevate existing systems to a new technological level. This not only expands the range of applications but also increases the lifespan and ROI (Return on Investment)..

Financing models and technology deployment

The financing options are diverse: traditional bank loans, leasing, rent-to-own, or innovative models like pay-per-use. While a bank loan allows for complete ownership, leasing offers more flexibility—especially in the face of technological advancements..

Leasing has become established in mechanical engineering, as it conserves liquidity and can also offer tax advantages. However, especially with used machines, a careful examination of the leasing terms is essential: the duration, residual value, maintenance obligations, and return conditions should be clearly defined..

However, it is true that machines can generally only be leased up to a certain age. Beyond a certain age – often depending on the technical condition and the residual value – it is often more economically sensible to resort to a traditional bank loan. Such a loan allows for ownership acquisition without restrictions from leasing conditions and offers greater flexibility with older equipment..

Conclusion

The financing and leasing of used machinery offer significant potential – provided they are implemented with foresight and professionalism. Market opportunities through used technology, modern financing models, and strong partnerships give companies the chance to invest flexibly, efficiently, and sustainably..

Those who take these aspects into account can not only save costs but also strategically strengthen their competitiveness – especially in times of volatile markets and increasing innovation cycles..

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Sample calculation: Profitability analysis of a used joinery system