Product category:
Manufacturing industry news
News Release from: Plimsoll Publishing
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 22 September 2005
Metal fabricators named best trading
partners
Widening performance gap between the 'Top 88 UK Metal Fabricators' companies reveal only 18 are getting both their commercial and financial performance right.
Coming out on top, 18 of the UK's largest metal fabricators companies have been named as best trading partners in a brand new publication by industry analysts Plimsoll Publishing * 18 companies named as best trading partners - hese companies are getting both their commercial and financial performance right
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 15 Jul 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
How fit is your metal fabricating company?
Providing a definitive means to check on the financial health of your own company as well as others, the top 1000 metal fabricators and their level of 'fitness are analysed.
Financial software analyses UK metal fabricators
electronic financial analysis has total industry coverage and user-friendly format to analyse your company, competitors and the industry with just the click of a button.
They are delivering measured profitability and manageable sales growth while keeping any debts under control.
Companies like Fisher Engineering, Robinso and Sons (Holdings) and Barclay and Mathieson figure in this section.
David Pattison, Senior analyst at Plimsoll, comments, "These are really the companies you would do well to have as customers or be doing business with".
Further reading
UK metal fabricators cut margins to keep work
One in four UK metal fabricators companies have taken a hit on margin - or even incurred losses - to maintain or increase sales levels, says a report.
Study helps with buying, selling metal fabricators
There appears to be much UK activity on the buying or selling of metal fabricators companies - selling up, in whole or part, or to buy - and a recent study can help make the right choice.
Computer Software Industry winners
The UK's most successful computer software companies have been named as part of a special study by industry analysts Plimsoll Publishing .
"If you are looking to see how a metal fabricators company should perform, then look no further than these 18 great businesses." Other exceptional company performers include: * Eight aggressors - these companies have achieved an average 54% sales growth compared to 4.2% for the industry last year.
As a group, they have increased sales by over GBP 26 million in the last year.
* 25 most profitable - these companies averaged 7.3% margins compared to the industry normal of 3.1%.
They benefit from a combination of good cost controls and low debts, hence low or zero interest payments.
* 25 most efficient - with figures like GBP 156,000 sales per employee typical, these companies are proving the traditional benchmark of GBP 101,000 sales per person to be dated.
They have set new standards of productivity for others to follow.
Yet these exceptional companies do not reveal the full industry picture.
For many of the companies included in the full analysis, results have not been so encouraging.
Sections highlighting companies falling behind include: * 10 losing pace - these companies are losing out in the market and suffering financially.
Typically sales have fallen by -2.6% and they are losing money.
They are also showing signs of financial weakness.
* Seven watch out for change - these companies are showing serious signs of financial strain.
Typically, debt levels are high.
They must start to fix their financial problems or risk failure.
* Six potentially desirable to own - these companies are all losing money, yet they have high earning potential.
Each has been given a future business plan to demonstrate how new owners might turn performance around.
* Two capturing market share at cost - these companies have elected to capture market share, funding this growth with debt.
Whilst the risk associated with this strategy is high, there can be a serious short term disruptive effect in the market.
Pattison continues, "I think what this analysis is proving is the widening gap between these leading companies".
"There are some terrific performances out there mixed in with some very disappointing ones".
"The difference is blatant." Some other areas highlighting the widening gap in performance * Each company is given a current and future value: - 23 companies have seen their value halve.
- 28 companies have seen their value double.
* Each company is rated on its financial performance: - 35 companies are rated as strong.
- 16 companies are rated as danger.
* Each company is rated on its commercial strategy: - 12 companies are rated as winners.
- 13 companies are rated as losers.
* Each company is given a future plan year: - 58 companies are set to expand.
- 20 companies are set to retreat.
Copies of the full 271 paged analysis are available from Plimsoll Publishing priced at GBP 500.
Mention you saw the information in Manufacturingtalk - for a 5% discount.
• Plimsoll Publishing: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Manufacturingtalk email newsletter
• Manufacturingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
