Few would argue that 2009 was a difficult year for the UK Fork Lift Trucks industry but early signs suggest conditions in 2010 will be much brighter. According to new research by leading industry analysts Plimsoll, the market is slowly emerging from the malaise of the last 2 years.
David Pattison, senior analysts and author of the 2010 Plimsoll Analysis: “The recession tore through the market in 08 and 09 like a tornado and accelerated the rate of change in the market.
Aggressive “growth at all cost” operators have been forced to abandon their reckless strategies and many have been caught out. However, some amazing companies have come through largely unaffected and look set to make 2010 their year. As the market continues to recover during the year the changes will continue to come thick and fast”.
When pressed on what changes he envisages in the market he offers: “More job losses and consolidations sadly. Even as the market improves there are a lot of companies, that survived by the skin of their teeth and they have to rebuild their profit margins and efficiencies.
He continues “Our latest analysis projects that a further 1,000 jobs will have to be shed if companies are to get back to profit and remain competitive in 2010. Whether through natural wastage or compulsory lay offs, job losses are necessary. With the average sales per employee figure down to £160,000, employees need to “buy in” and contribute more to the recovery of their companies – if you still have a job expect to work much harder in 2010. £344 million worth of profit has been wiped from the market in the last year and employers have no choice but to cut their cloth accordingly.”
As for mergers and acquisitions Pattison says: “In all we named 76 companies in our latest analysis that are ripe for takeover or merger. It’s a buyers market with many companies still recovering. Our report has picked some great examples of companies that are currently undervalued because of the recession that would be very attractive to prospective owners. For many struggling companies, a buy out may be the quickest route to get the company back on an even keel – even if it means relinquishing their independence. Inevitably, this will further increase job losses as new owners would quickly look for efficiency gains and to synergise their new acquisition with existing operations”.
So, aside from a serious refocus of profitability and the inevitable job cutting and takeovers, does Pattison see any cheer in 2010? “There are some real good news stories out there. We rated 154 companies as “Strong” in our latest report. As expected this number is down but these companies will lead the market out of the downturn. They have managed to be commercially successful without jeopardising their financial stability”.
The new Plimsoll Industry Analysis – Fork Lift Trucks gives an instant performance rating on the top 468 companies. Each company has been rated as Strong, Good, Mediocre, Caution or Danger according to their latest performance. A graphical and written analysis will tell you which companies are in trouble and who is getting it right.
Readers of W&LN are entitled to a £50 discount of this new special edition of the Plimsoll Industry Analysis – Fork Lift Trucks. Call 01642 626400 for further details and quote reference PR/SD33.
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