Looking to lease or finance machinery? De Nederlandse Leasemaatschappij (NLM) in Sneek arranges business machinery finance throughout the Netherlands — for a new production machine, a used machine, or an entire machine park. We finance precisely where other providers step back.
Financing used machinery: what we are known for
A second-hand machine costs a fraction of a new one and, if properly maintained, will run for years. Yet many lenders back away the moment a build year appears on the table. We do not: we assess the machine, not just its age. For 24 years we have specialised in financing capital equipment, which means we know what a used machine is genuinely worth.
That matters at the moment it counts. A good used machine is often available within a week, while a new one can carry months of lead time. If your lender cannot move at that pace, the machine goes to someone else. We think along with you about what is possible — including for older, proven equipment.
Financing starts from € 3,000 excluding VAT, up to complete machine parks and business acquisitions.
The machinery we finance
Almost any asset that earns its own keep qualifies. In practice, these are the categories we see most:
Metalworking
CNC milling machines and lathes, welding robots, press brakes, sheet metal working, sawing machines and complete production lines.
Wood and plastics
CNC routers, edge banders, sawing and sanding machines, spray booths and equipment for furniture and interior construction.
Earthmoving and construction
Excavators and mini diggers, wheel loaders, mobile cranes, telehandlers, plate compactors, aerial platforms and site equipment.
Internal transport
Forklifts, electric forklifts, reach trucks, pallet trucks, order pickers and warehouse racking.
Packaging and production
Packaging lines, labelling machines, filling and sealing equipment, conveyor systems and food industry machinery.
Other capital equipment
Printing and press equipment, recycling and shredding installations, compressor systems and business fit-out.
Your machine not listed? That tells us little. Give us a call — we finance capital equipment across the board and assess every application on its own merits.
New or used: what changes in the assessment
With a new machine it is straightforward. The purchase value is fixed on the supplier's quotation, the lifespan is predictable and there is a factory warranty. The assessment then centres on your business and on whether the machine can earn its own instalments within the term.
With a used machine, one further question arises: what is this particular unit worth, and how much life does it have left? That is exactly the question lenders without market knowledge shy away from — and where our work begins. A ten-year-old machine from a marketable brand with a complete service record is a different proposition to a five-year-old unit from a brand nobody stocks parts for.
What we look at in a used machine
These points together form the picture. None of them is decisive on its own:
Brand and marketability
Is there a resale market for this brand, with parts and service available? That determines residual value more than the build year does.
Build year and operating hours
Operating hours often say more than the build year. A machine from a two-shift operation has been worked far harder than one used occasionally.
Service history
A complete maintenance file with invoices and service records makes an older machine considerably easier to finance.
Valuation
With second-hand equipment, an appraisal can be the deciding factor. We tell you up front whether one is needed in your situation.
Its role in your business
Is this a machine that directly generates revenue, or reserve capacity? That weighs in the term and the structure.
Your business
Figures and order book are part of it, but the machine itself serves as security. That often makes more possible than with a conventional loan.
Where you buy the machine matters
A used machine rarely comes from a dealer. These are the routes we see in practice, and what differs in each:
Dealer or importer
The simplest route. Invoice, warranty and delivery are arranged; the financing runs directly with the supplier.
Machinery trader
Common for second-hand equipment. Watch for a proper invoice and clarity on what is and is not included.
Auction or forced sale
Speed is everything here: the payment term is short and fixed. Discuss the financing before you bid, not afterwards.
Business acquisition
Taking over machinery from another company? We finance it as part of the deal. Valuing the equipment is then a separate step.
Fellow business owner or private seller
Also possible. With no trader in between, we generally look more closely at the valuation.
Machinery from abroad
Imports are common. Consider transport, VAT and who is responsible for what before you commit.
Buying at auction? Contact us before the auction closes. Auctions apply short payment terms, and financing arranged only after the hammer falls almost always comes too late.
Matching the term to the working life
The term of a machinery finance agreement should match the period in which the machine earns money — not a standard schedule. With a used machine that period is shorter than with a new one, and that cuts both ways: the monthly instalment is higher, but you are free of it sooner and pay less interest over the full run.
Then there is practice. A machine running two shifts wears faster than the same machine at a company using it a few days a week. So we look at your situation rather than at a table.
Sale and lease back: capital from machinery you already own
Is there a machine park that is already yours, while you need working capital for an order, an acquisition or the next investment? You do not have to sell anything to get it. With sale and lease back you sell the machine to us, receive its value in cash, and carry on using it for a monthly payment.
This is not a last resort but a balance sheet decision: you release capital tied up in equipment without a single day of production downtime. A machine you purchased yourself recently also qualifies.
Which lease form suits your machine?
If you want to become the owner, Financial Lease is the obvious route: you become the economic owner immediately and the machine appears on your balance sheet. If you would rather keep ownership risk and residual value off your books, look at Operational Lease. If you need the machine only for a defined period, Short-Term Lease is an option, and for energy-efficient equipment there is Green Lease. You can also see our full overview of business lease options.
Tax relief & subsidies
When you invest in machinery or equipment, the Dutch small-scale investment allowance (KIA) often applies. For energy-efficient or environmentally friendly machines, the EIA and MIA/Vamil schemes come into play as well — and these can apply to a used machine too. See tax relief & subsidies.
Subject to change — schemes, conditions and percentages are revised annually. This is information, not tax advice.
Frequently asked questions about machinery leasing
Can I lease a used machine?
Yes. We finance both new and used machinery, from a unit bought at a machinery trader to equipment taken over from another company. We assess the machine, not just its age.
How old can a machine be to qualify for financing?
We apply no fixed limit. Brand, marketability, operating hours and service history weigh more heavily with us than the build year alone. For older, proven equipment we look at the options case by case.
Financial lease or operational lease for a machine?
If you want ownership and the machine on your balance sheet, choose financial lease. If you prefer to keep residual value risk off your books with a fixed monthly cost, operational lease fits better. We will calculate both for you.
Can I finance a machine I buy at auction?
Yes, but contact us before the auction closes. Auctions apply short payment terms; financing requested only after the lot is awarded almost always comes too late.
Can I release capital from machinery I already own?
Yes, through sale and lease back. You sell the machine to us, receive its value in cash and continue using it for a monthly payment. Your production does not stop for a day.
What is the minimum amount you finance?
Financing starts from € 3,000 excluding VAT, up to complete machine parks and business acquisitions.
Does the investment allowance also apply to a used machine?
The Dutch small-scale investment allowance can apply to second-hand assets as well. The EIA and MIA/Vamil schemes carry additional conditions and annual eligibility lists. Always discuss this with your accountant.
Have a machine in mind, or want to know what is possible in your situation? Contact NLM without obligation. We will think it through with you and tell you honestly what can and cannot be done — including when the answer is that you are better off waiting.