The deal will mean stock finance options will now be available to the Väderstad dealer network - consisting of 30 dealers operating from 75 locations throughout the UK and Ireland - on a three-year exclusive contract.

Hitachi Capital Business Finance and Väderstad already enjoy a successful retail finance relationship, which stretches back more than a decade. The latest deal was won against strong competition from Väderstad’s existing stocking provider.

Michael Alsop, managing director at Väderstad, said: “Moving our dealer stocking facility to Hitachi Capital Business Finance will bring strategic and administrative benefits, as well as opening up the potential for us to be more creative and pro-active with that side of the business.”

Gavin Wraith-Carter, managing director at Hitachi Capital Business Finance, said: “We’re delighted when some of our best relationships with vendors flourish, as is the case with Väderstad. This demonstrates the level of our partnership as businesses, with our strong relationship being built over the last 10 years.

“Not only is this a sign that our work is market leading and valued, it cements our ambition to become a full-service funder for businesses in both the agricultural and manufacturing sectors.”

Hitachi Capital Business Finance, a subsidiary of Hitachi Capital (UK), provides business asset finance to more than 25,000 customers across the UK.

Working across multiple sectors, the business provides a full range of funding options through brokers, vendors and online direct to SMEs. This includes hire purchase, operating lease, finance lease solutions and block discounting.