A question of sinking or swimming

Citation

(2000), "A question of sinking or swimming", Soldering & Surface Mount Technology, Vol. 12 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/ssmt.2000.21912bab.025

A question of sinking or swimming

Keywords Plimsoll Publishing, Electronics industry

One in every three electronics manufacturing companies is at high risk of failure, according to the latest (Spring 2000) publication from Plimsoll Publishing Ltd. For some, this could be a scary statistic, and for others, this could be the opportunity to strike out against the competition. But just how do you spot whether your customers or competitors are financial losers and how can you turn this to your advantage?

The Plimsoll rating system

The Plimsoll Portfolio Analysis: Electronics Manufacturers has identified and individually analysed 2,157 UK-based companies and based on their financial performance over the last four years has placed each of the 2,157 companies into five ratings. These are: strong, good, mediocre, caution and finally, danger. Of the 2,157 companies analysed; 653 were rated strong; 230 rated good; 253 rated mediocre; 383 rated caution; and 638 rated danger (Figure 1).

Figure 1 Electronics manufacturers financial rating

Sink or Swim

Of the 98 companies included in the analysis currently in receivership, liquidation or dissolved, 83 percent of these companies were rated as caution or danger up to two years prior to their demise. However, not every company rated caution or danger is certain to fail. Companies can climb out of danger. From last year, 176 companies have been able to achieve this task although often this is a slow process and perhaps requires new owners, management or certainly some serious decisions to be made.

Their improvement has been overshadowed by the 275 companies that have suffered a decline in their fortunes and have fallen into danger. Perhaps more alarming are the 363 companies that are in their second year in danger. For these companies, time is running out.

The 41 percent of the industry rated as strong and good should not consider their position safe as 196 companies last year have lost their strong rating and have been replaced by 224 new entrants that have prospered and delivered an excellent year.

The basis of the Plimsoll model

The report likens companies to ships and aims to put a "loading line" to companies, essentially for the non-accountant. The emphasis of the model is to avoid a company failure. If corrective decisions are made early then perhaps many of these companies will be saved. The research was conducted to discover the ingredients of company failure and the early warning signs visible in company accounts. This work suggested that a company could take several years to fail. The model also defines success.

Each of the 2,157 companies is included as a separate page and using a series of six charts over four years of audited accounts, the model aims to show how a company's character is shaped over a period of time. The graphical layout encourages comparisons of individual companies and aims to demonstrate the financial constraints, or strengths, a company is working under.

Conclusion

Rating companies and turning it into phrases, especially danger, is emotive, and bandied around carelessly is fuel for the lawyers. This is not the intention of the analysis. For many in the industry danger means "opportunity" as far as competitive pressure or acquisitions are concerned, as many of these companies could be rather attractive prospects. Providing an understanding of the structure and nature of a company with which you trade and compete is difficult and setting this rating into context is a skill for the true decision maker. As many as a third of the industry will need to make some tough decisions to avoid sinking and swim on into next year.

The Plimsoll Portfolio Analysis: Electronics Manufacturers, covering 2,157 individually analysed UK companies, is available for £350. You can place your order by calling Jennifer Ovington on: +44 (0) 1642 257800. Readers of this publication can obtain a 5 percent discount when mentioning this article upon ordering.