The UK’s most successful fire protection companies have been named as part of a special study by industry analysts Plimsoll Publishing Ltd. These outstanding companies have been grouped into five different areas of financial success.

Thirty three companies named as best overall financial performers
Included in this section are the companies considered to be getting the balance right between commercial and financial success. They are managing to increase sales and maximise profits. All this, and without compromising financial strength.
David Pattison, Senior Analyst on the project, is impressed with the performance of these leading companies: “They are reporting three times the sales growth figures and far greater profits than the rest of the industry.” Pattison adds: “The rest of the industry should be falling over themselves to do business with these companies.”

Thirty one companies named for best sales Improvement
With the market growing at 7.8 per cent, the majority of companies are, at best, showing modest growth. The 31 companies named in this section are delivering a minimum of 15 per cent growth in the last period. Pattison is convinced these companies will cause increased pressure in the market in 2007 as they build on their aggressive business strategy. He continues: “These companies are in danger of taking the industry by storm.”

Twenty five companies named for profit improvement
With profit margins in general depressed, it is refreshing to see 25 companies clearly benefiting from tighter cost control and pricing policies.
They have been able lift their margins from previously loss making to a current seven per cent on average, well above the industry’s current 6.7 per cent. David Pattison continues: “For me profits are the key to a successful company. As the saying goes, anyone can give the stuff away but the real skill in business is to make a profit.”

Ten companies delivering a turnaround in financial performance
It is the nature of business that most companies in their lifetime will encounter a difficult trading period. Some, during this time will fail or be taken over. Others find a solution themselves. Named in this section are the 10 companies who were facing an uncertain future. These ‘comeback kings’ have staged a recovery, and the first stage of the turnaround process is underway.
David Pattison comments: “These 10 turnaround companies are proof that failure is avoidable. They offer encouragement to 90 other fire protection companies that have seen a sharp decline in their recent financial performance. Trading out is an option – if problems are addressed quickly!”

Thirteen companies named for productivity improvement
Showing how vital productivity is becoming to remain competitive in the industry, 13 companies are named in this section. They are using their staff to deliver 23 times the sales and 15 times the profit of the rest of the industry. David Pattison concludes: “As wages and employment costs in general prove an increasing burden, lean companies like these are discovering new productivity levels to combat this problem.” The full analysis contains an individual profile for each of the UK’s 890 fire protection companies. Included with this special edition is a Successful Companies Pack available to readers of FIRE free of charge when ordering. When ordering online simply enter the code SCP01 at the checkout. Copies of the analysis are available for £350 from www.plimsoll.co.uk; tel: 01642 626400; or email: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it