Finance Director

The company, which was private equity owned, was the UK’s predominant coal distribution business operating from over 40 depots and also supplying coke, charcoal and ancillary products to domestic and commercial customers. The annual turnover was in excess of £50m.

Bank reconciliation procedures were improved and a large number of un-reconciled items were cleared. Credit control procedures were improved through the implementation of credit limits and the introduction of a formal chase cycle – resulting in an improved debtors ageing position and a reduced bad debt provision.

A fully costed profitability model was developed and implemented to identify profitable and non-profitable business sectors and customers.

The business operates in a shrinking market and a detailed review was undertaken of the profit impact of potential changes to the businesses operating model and depot network.

Extensive analysis and modeling work was undertaken with regard to the impact of potential acquisitions.