Welcome Finance is a commercial finance broker, not a lender. Finance is subject to status and lender approval
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WELCOMEFINANCE

Wholesale finance Ireland for distributors

Bridge the gap between paying suppliers and getting paid by your customers.

Cash cycle
Suppliers paid before customers pay
Common mix
Stock, trade and invoice finance
Large orders
Purchase order finance (specialist)
Our fee
€0 to you
The lender pays us commission

Quick eligibility check

See what your company could borrow

Step 1 of 3 · about 60 seconds

What do you need finance for?

About 60 seconds · no credit search · not recorded on the Central Credit Register

Prefer to talk? +353 1 536 9910
Cash cycle
Suppliers paid before customers pay
Common mix
Stock, trade and invoice finance
Large orders
Purchase order finance (specialist)
Our fee
€0 to you
The lender pays us commission
  • Irish limited companies
  • Several lenders, one request
  • No fees for your company
  • No obligation

At a glance

Funding for wholesale and distribution businesses in three steps

  1. 1

    Tell us what you need

    Three taps: purpose, amount, business type. About 60 seconds, no credit search and not recorded on the Central Credit Register.

  2. 2

    We match you to lenders

    We check your profile against lender criteria and approach only those likely to consider it. One request, only to lenders likely to consider it.

  3. 3

    Compare any offers

    See the rate, fees, security and any personal guarantee side by side before you decide anything.

Start my 60-second check
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Overview

How finance helps wholesale and distribution businesses

Wholesale finance in Ireland exists because distributors sit in the middle of the cash cycle: suppliers want paying promptly, customers expect 30 to 60 days' credit, and stock sits in the warehouse in between. Distribution company finance usually combines stock finance, trade finance for supplier payments and wholesale invoice finance against customer invoices. When an order arrives that is bigger than your working capital, purchase order finance can pay the supplier so you can fulfil it.

Read more

Trade and supplier-payment finance from our panel may suit some purchase needs. See purchase order finance, trade finance and our guide to stock and trade finance for Irish importers, which covers import finance in detail. We help wholesalers and distributors with stock finance, trade finance and working capital, and explain how invoice finance can work alongside them.

The working capital calculator shows how much cash your terms tie up.

Lenders we work with

  • 365 Finance logo
  • Flurish logo
  • Treyd logo
  • Triffin logo
  • Linked Finance logo

We are a broker, not a lender. Lender names and logos are trademarks of their owners and are shown with permission. Their inclusion does not mean the lender endorses Welcome Finance. Finance is subject to each lender’s own approval, which is not guaranteed.

Common funding challenges for wholesale and distribution businesses

  • Suppliers wanting prompt payment
  • Customers on 30 to 60 day credit
  • Large stock holdings and bulk orders
  • Currency and import costs

Supports

Supports worth knowing about

SBCI Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme

€25,000 to €3m over 7 to 10 years, extended to 30 June 2029; get an eligibility code from the SBCI, then apply directly to a participating lender

Revenue postponed accounting for import VAT, for VAT-registered companies

Working with us

How we help

One request, several lenders

One request reaches several suitable lenders.

Side by side

Rate, fees, security and guarantees laid out side by side.

No obligation

No obligation to accept any offer.

Quick reply

We usually reply within 4 business hours.

Estimate your monthly repayments

€5,000€2,000,000
0%40%
3 mo10 yrs

Estimated monthly repayment

€3,179.97

Total interest
€14,479
Total repayable
€114,479
Equivalent APR (effective)
9.38%
Factor rate
1.1448
Equivalent flat rate (per year)
4.83%
Check eligibility for this amount

Illustrative only. Actual rates, fees and terms depend on your circumstances and the lender. This is not an offer of finance.

How we work

Welcome Finance is a commercial finance broker, not a lender. We arrange finance for limited companies for business purposes only; this is not regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Finance is subject to status and the lender’s approval. This page is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice. We are paid commission by the lender when finance completes. We do not charge your company a fee and never ask for payment upfront.

Wholesale and distribution finance: FAQs

How do distributors fund the gap between paying suppliers and getting paid?

Most use a combination. Invoice finance releases cash from customer invoices, stock finance funds goods in the warehouse, and trade finance pays suppliers, including overseas ones, before goods arrive. The right mix depends on your terms on both sides and how fast stock turns. Stock and trade finance are among the products our lender panel covers.

What is purchase order finance and when does a distributor use it?

Purchase order finance pays your supplier directly so you can fulfil a confirmed order from a creditworthy customer that is too large for your own cash. When the goods are delivered and invoiced, the funder is repaid, often through invoice finance. Funders look at the customer, the supplier's track record and your margin on the deal. Supplier-payment finance from our panel may also suit some purchases.

Do we have to pay import VAT upfront on goods from outside the EU?

Usually not, if your company uses postponed accounting. VAT-registered businesses can account for import VAT on their VAT return instead of paying it when goods are imported, which helps cash flow. Customs duty is still payable on non-EU goods, although a duty deferment arrangement can delay payment. Check eligibility and conditions with Revenue or your customs agent before you plan your funding.

Can trade finance pay a supplier in China or the UK?

Yes. Trade finance can pay overseas suppliers directly, often in their currency, with your company repaying over an agreed period after the goods arrive. Lenders look at your history with the supplier, your margins and how quickly the goods sell. Currency movements can change your real cost, so ask how foreign exchange is handled. Trade finance is one of the products our lender panel covers, subject to each lender's criteria.

One customer makes up most of our sales. Is that a problem for lenders?

It can be. Lenders and invoice funders worry about concentration: if one customer makes up a large share of your debtors, a dispute or late payment could hit your cash flow hard. Funders may cap how much they advance against a single customer. A wider customer base and clear written contracts both strengthen your position.

Is it worth borrowing to get a bulk-buy or early-payment discount?

Only if the discount is bigger than the cost of finance. Illustrative example: a 3% early-payment discount on a €100,000 order saves €3,000, so finance costing more than that over the same period wipes out the benefit. Check you can sell the extra stock without heavy markdowns. Short-term loans, stock finance and trade finance are among the products our lender panel covers.

Can warehouse equipment such as forklifts and racking be financed?

Usually, through leasing or hire purchase from asset finance providers. Forklifts have an active resale market and are widely financed; racking and installed handling systems can be harder, because they are worth less once removed. Ask about maintenance and end-of-term options. Tell us what your company needs and we'll tell you honestly whether our panel can help, or where to apply instead.

Check in 60 seconds

Check your eligibility in 60 seconds

No credit search and nothing recorded on the Central Credit Register. No obligation.

  • No credit search, not recorded on the Central Credit Register
  • One request, several lenders: we’re a broker, not a lender
  • For limited companies registered in Ireland
  • No fees for your company: we’re paid commission by the lender

Step 1 of 3 · about 60 seconds

What do you need finance for?