Getting your Strategy Right in the UK Scientific & Laboratory Equipment Industry

156 companies in the UK Scientific & Laboratory Equipment industry are following a strategy that has led them into a blind alley and they must change quickly or risk disappearing altogether. That’s according to a new study assessing the strategic, financial and commercial performance of the top 700 companies in the market.

David Pattison, author of the new Plimsoll Analysis explains: “It’s undoubtedly tough out there with demand still subdued and costs rising all the time. With too many companies chasing too little market, many are finding it difficult to
pass on rising costs to customers. As a result wehave seen profitability fall with average margins in the market now down to 2%.”

Pattison then goes on to explain that his latest study shows performance in the market is fragmented into 4 distinct
categories. Based on these categories, he has been able to recommend strategies for the next 12 months to improve or protect each company’s performance.

Get back to growth
There are currently 59 companies in the UK Scientific & Laboratory Equipment industry that are struggling for growth. Granted they have healthy profit margins and most have little or no formal debt, but they are just not growing. I recommend these companies change strategy, wake up and sacrifice some of their profits on finding new growth as they are in danger of being left behind.

Fix the profitability hole 79 other companies in the UK market are at the opposite end of the spectrum. They are growing at a pace way beyond the rest of the market, but they are doing so at the expense of profitability. Many of these companies could be accused of “overtrading” by continuing to make  losses and/or financing growth via increasing debt. They risk running out of cash unless they return to profit soon.

Maintain their advantage
There is a band of 378 companies that are clearly the market leaders. They are achieving above average sales growth, are retaining healthy profit margins at an average of 5% and carrying little to no debt. Their challenge is to maintain this outstanding performance in such a difficult trading environment and avoid complacency. They might even consider the
acquisition of distressed competitors.

Try to survive or be rescued
Finally, there are 156 companies for whom the strategy for the next 12 months is mere survival or rescue via a takeover. These companies have high debts as a percentage of sales at 34%, are averaging profit margins of -3% and are often seeing sales fall. These companies need to downsize their operations, focus solely on the profitable parts of their
business and work at making a profit or the end is nigh. Some will attract buyers to rescue them but others won’t be so lucky. The new Plimsoll Analysis – Scientific & Laboratory Equipment will tell you which companies are following the right strategy and those heading in the wrong direction. With an individual commercial, strategic and financial study of each of the top 700 companies in the market, it is the ultimate guide to performance in the market. Readers of International Labmate and Labmate UK & Ireland are entitled to a £50 discount off this new special edition of the  Plimsoll Industry Analysis – Scientific & Laboratory Equipment.
Call 01642 626400 for further details and
quote reference PR/PC40