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Cashflow problems undermine
four in ten small firms
»»FOUR-IN-TEN (38%)
small and medium-sized
businesses (SMEs) have
suffered cashflow problems
over the past two years,
according to new research by
Amicus Commercial Finance,
the specialist lender of flexible
working capital to SMEs. The
figure rises to two-thirds (65%)
among medium-sized firms
with between 50 and 250
staff.
According to the study,
conducted among 500 small
businesses owners, over the
past two years one-in-seven
(15%) are still suffering
liquidity problems and
12% either came close to
or became insolvent. Small
businesses recognise the
threat cashflow problems can
pose; nearly three-quarters
(71%) say it is the biggest
risk they face. Regionally,
companies in the North East
have been the worst hit by
cashflow shortages.
The biggest challenge
caused by cashflow shortages
is paying suppliers, cited by
41% of business owners. This
is followed by meeting debt
repayments (30%), buying
inventory (29%) and paying
staff (24%). One-in-five (18%)
said they had lost contracts
due to cashflow problems.
John Wilde, Managing
Director of Amicus
Commercial Finance,
commented: “Our research
shows that most small firms
recognise the damage caused
by cashflow problems but
that doesn’t guarantee their
immunity. The worst case
scenario is insolvency but in
our experience, slow paying
invoices are often to blame.”
The next step
»»SECURITY SPECIALIST YALE HAS
introduced a new member of the Smart
Living team to take the next step in
mobile development.
Mobile specialist, Laurence Dyde,
has been appointed as Mobile Product
Manager for Yale Smart Living.
Laurence brings with him 16 years’
experience, having previously worked
with Astraware in Stoke on Trent for
9 years, where he was involved in the
creation of mobile games such as
Bejeweled and Zuma, displaying his
depth of knowledge in this sector.
Commenting on his new role Laurence
said: “I am excited to begin working with
Yale, particularly starting at such an early
stage of development in the smart home
movement, and I hope that my interest
in integration will take them to the next
stage of mobile development.”
Nigel Fisher, Managing Director at
Yale, also commented: “We are delighted
to welcome Laurence to the Smart Living
team. We are committed to investing
in the Yale Smart Living brand and
this appointment enables us to further
develop our mobile offering.”
Laurence, who is based in Walsall,
has already shown considerable interest
in ‘Smart Living’ by single-handedly
creating his own smart home.
www.yale.co.uk/smart-living
QUALITY, RELIABILITY AND EXPERTISE
»»UNION, PART OF ASSA ABLOY
Security Solutions has rebranded and
is promoting quality, reliability and
expertise as the three solid reasons to
choose them.
The most easily identifiable part of
the UNION rebrand is the look and feel.
UNION’s branding has been simplified,
to make it more impactful and easily
recognisable. This will give the UNION
brand an increased visual presence
with its distribution channels, as well as
installers and end users.
Eryl Jones, Managing Director at ASSA
ABLOY Security Solutions, said: “We
have spent considerable time visiting
our customers and have listened to their
feedback, which has formed the basis of
LOCKSMITHJOURNAL.CO.UK | NOV/DEC 2016
our rebrand and will continue to inform
the future of UNION.
“UNION’s expertise comes from its
rich heritage dating back to 1840 and
the Master Keying department has a
combined experience of over 217 years.
“UNION also has expertise around
British design and product development,
which is retained in house. This helps
us to guarantee that our products have
excellent quality and reliability, so
installers can be sure they are fitting a
product they can trust.”
www.uniononline.co.uk