A recently published industry report confirms that leading engineering distributors in Great Britain have experienced a very difficult financial period over the last three years. During the 1997 - 2000, the average leading com-pany analysed in the report saw average total sales grow by just 3.9 per cent to £28.9 million. However, total profits fell by 35.8 per cent to an average of £1 million.
'Overall,' says the report, 'it has been a rather disappointing financial period for leading companies operating as enhineering distributors. Efficiency levels have fallen, debts have risen and whilst modest growth was experienced in sales, profitability ratios have deteriorated.'
The Business Ratio report, entitled Engineering Distributors and published by The Prospect Shop, analyses and compares the financial performance of 112 leading companies operating as engineering distributors in Great Britain. Covering the last full three accounting years, (1997/98 to 199/00) the report provides individual company analysis as well as performance averages for the industry as a whole.