Case Study: Rockliff Finance Secures $20 Million Revolving Equipment Finance Line for Leading Australian Forestry Operation

In one of the largest equipment finance facilities we have arranged this year, Rockliff Finance successfully secured a $20 million revolving equipment finance line for a prominent forestry business operating in Queensland.

This facility represents far more than a simple loan. It is a strategic, flexible funding structure designed specifically around the unique capital demands of modern forestry operations – giving the client the ability to acquire, upgrade and replace heavy machinery on their own timeline, without the repeated delays, credit checks and administrative burden that typically accompany individual asset finance applications.

The Forestry Sector: Capital-Intensive and Fast-Moving

Australia’s forestry industry is a cornerstone of regional economies, supporting sustainable timber production, export markets, and thousands of jobs. Operators in this sector face relentless pressure to invest in high-value, high-productivity assets: purpose-built harvesters, forwarders, skidders, log trucks, processors, and specialised support equipment.

At the same time, the industry is evolving rapidly. Newer machines offer better fuel efficiency, lower emissions, improved operator safety, and higher throughput – all critical for staying competitive, meeting environmental standards, and securing long-term contracts.

Yet traditional bank lending often creates friction. A business might need to finance a new harvester today, a fleet of log trucks in six months, and a set of forwarders the following year. Each purchase typically requires a fresh credit application, new documentation, and separate approvals. This process can take weeks or even months, tying up management time and exposing the business to fluctuating interest rates and lender availability.

Our client – an established operator with a strong track record and ambitious growth plans – recognised that this fragmented approach was no longer sustainable. They needed a single, large-scale facility that would give them speed, certainty and flexibility for ongoing fleet modernisation.

The Challenge: Finding Finance That Matches Real-World Operations

When the client first approached Rockliff Finance, their brief was clear and practical:

• They wanted immediate access to capital for multiple asset types without repeating the full approval process.
• They needed repayment terms tailored to the long working life of forestry equipment (often 5–7 years or more).
• They wanted to preserve cashflow and avoid large upfront capital outlays.
• Security should be primarily limited to the financed assets themselves, keeping other business assets and personal guarantees to a minimum.
• The facility needed to revolve – as individual loans were paid down, the available limit should refresh for future purchases.

Most standard bank products simply didn’t fit. A one-off term loan would lock them into a rigid structure. An overdraft or general business loan would be unsecured and far more expensive. Operating leases might not deliver the balance-sheet or tax advantages they were seeking.

What they required was a sophisticated revolving equipment finance limit – sometimes called an equipment finance line or equipment facility – structured through a major Australian bank but negotiated and optimised by an independent broker.

How Rockliff Finance Delivered the $20 Million Solution

Leveraging our established relationships across Australia’s major banks, non-bank lenders and specialist asset financiers, we designed and secured the $20 million facility in a timeframe that surprised even the client.

Key features of the approved structure include:

• Revolving Limit of $20 Million
  The client can draw down funds multiple times as new equipment is purchased. Each draw-down is documented under its own chattel mortgage or finance lease agreement within the overall facility.
• Asset-Specific Repayment Terms
  Repayments are matched to the expected useful life of each piece of machinery. Heavy forestry equipment can comfortably support terms of up to 7 years, improving cashflow and aligning repayments with the revenue the assets generate.
• Competitive, Transparent Rates
  Because we shopped the market across multiple funders, we were able to lock in highly competitive interest rates tailored to different asset classes rather than accepting a single “one-size-fits-all” rate.
• Flexible Draw-Down Process
  Once the limit is live, future purchases can often be approved and funded within 1–2 business days with minimal additional paperwork – a dramatic improvement on the usual 4–8 week turnaround for standalone applications.
• Security Focused on the Equipment
  The primary security is the financed assets themselves. This keeps the client’s broader balance sheet and personal guarantees lighter than would be required with unsecured or general-purpose facilities.
• Ongoing Limit Refresh
  As principal is repaid on individual draw-downs, the available headroom in the $20 million limit is restored, creating a self-sustaining facility that supports continuous fleet investment.

The entire approval and documentation process was handled efficiently and professionally, reflecting the client’s solid financial position and clear growth strategy.

Immediate Impact and Client Outcomes

With the facility now operational, the forestry business has already begun drawing down for planned equipment upgrades. The benefits they are experiencing include:

• Faster Decision-Making – The ability to act immediately when a new contract is secured or when a machine reaches the end of its optimal service life.
• Improved Cashflow Management – Spreading the cost of major assets over several years instead of impacting working capital.
• Access to Newer Technology – Easier transition to lower-emission, higher-productivity machines that reduce operating costs and strengthen environmental credentials.
• Reduced Administrative Load – Management can focus on operations, harvesting schedules and client relationships rather than finance applications.
• Greater Strategic Confidence – Knowing the capital is available removes a major barrier to scaling the business.

Why Revolving Equipment Finance Lines Are a Smart Strategy for Heavy Industries

While $20 million facilities are still relatively uncommon for mid-sized operators, they are becoming an increasingly attractive option in capital-intensive sectors such as forestry, construction, transport, mining and agriculture.

Key advantages include:

• Scalability – Grow the fleet without repeatedly seeking new approvals.
• Cost Efficiency – Often lower overall borrowing costs than a series of separate loans.
• Tax and Accounting Benefits – Properly structured chattel mortgages or finance leases can deliver depreciation and interest deductions that align with your accountant’s advice (always confirm with your own professional advisors).
• Risk Management – Fixed or floating rate options can be chosen per draw-down to match your risk appetite.
• Business Agility – Respond quickly to market opportunities, seasonal demands or unexpected equipment failures.

At Rockliff Finance we see these facilities as particularly powerful for businesses that expect to make multiple asset purchases over a 2–5 year period. They turn equipment finance from a reactive, transaction-by-transaction process into a proactive, strategic tool.

About Rockliff Finance: Independent Expertise with a Personal Edge

After a 13-year AFL career that included captaining the Brisbane Lions and later playing for Port Adelaide, I transitioned my competitive drive, discipline and relationship skills into commercial finance.

Rockliff Finance was founded on a simple idea: businesses deserve finance solutions that are built around how they actually operate – not around a lender’s standard product sheet. As an independent broker, we are not tied to any single bank or financier. We maintain active relationships with more than 40 lenders, giving our clients genuine choice and access to the best possible structures and rates.

We specialise in equipment finance, asset finance and tailored facilities for businesses in forestry, construction, transport, manufacturing and other sectors that rely heavily on productive machinery. Whether the need is a $500,000 line or a multi-million-dollar facility, our approach is the same: listen first, design second, deliver fast.

Ready to Explore a Similar Solution for Your Business?

If your operation regularly invests in heavy equipment and you’ve ever felt that the finance process is holding you back, we would welcome the opportunity to have a no-obligation conversation.

We don’t believe in high-pressure sales. We believe in understanding your business first and then showing you what options are realistically available – including whether a revolving equipment finance line makes sense or whether another structure would be more appropriate.