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Ledger & LockFinance & security

Wholesale & distribution

Financial leadership for wholesale and distribution businesses

Wholesalers and distributors balance stock, supplier terms and customer credit on margins that leave little room for error. Small improvements in gross margin, stock turn or debtor days can release significant cash and profit.
Arrange an introductory conversationFinance & Fractional FD

What drives performance

The numbers that matter most in your sector.

  • Gross margin by product, range and customer
  • Stock levels, stock turn and obsolescence
  • Customer credit and debtor days
  • Supplier terms, rebates and pricing
  • Overheads and distribution costs

Common challenges

What we often see in wholesale & distribution.

Margin leakage

Discounts, rebates and price changes that are not tracked can erode gross margin across thousands of lines.

Cash locked in stock

Slow-moving and obsolete stock ties up cash and warehouse space.

Credit risk

Growing trade customers on generous terms increases exposure to late payment and bad debt.

Growth without a plan

New ranges, customers or depots need a clear view of the working capital they will absorb.

Impersonation fraud

Fraudsters impersonate suppliers to divert payments, and impersonate you to divert payments from your customers.

How well do you know your numbers?

Take the one-minute check

An illustrative scenario

How it typically plays out.

This is an illustrative example of a common pattern, not a description of a specific client or event.
  1. 1

    A distributor expands its range to win business from larger customers.

  2. 2

    Stock rises faster than sales, and the new customers negotiate longer payment terms.

  3. 3

    The business is more profitable on paper but has less cash every month.

  4. 4

    Margin and stock analysis, plus tighter credit control, release cash and refocus the range.

How we help

Where we focus for businesses like yours.

  • Margin reporting by product, range and customer
  • Stock and working capital management
  • Credit control and customer terms
  • Forecasting for new ranges, customers and depots
  • Controls that protect payments in both directions

Finance

Fractional Finance Director

Senior financial leadership for a set number of days a month, at a fraction of the cost of a full-time appointment.

Finance

Management reporting and financial insight

Clear, timely monthly reporting that tells you what is happening, why, and what to do next.

Finance

FP&A, budgeting and forecasting

Budgets, forecasts and scenario models that turn your plans into numbers you can steer by.

Finance

Cash flow and working capital

Forecast, protect and release cash, so growth does not leave the business short.

Resilience and security

Protecting what you've built

Financial controls, fraud prevention, cyber risk and operational resilience.

Other industries we work with

Next step

Talk to people who understand your sector's numbers.

An introductory conversation is free. We'll ask about your margins, cash and plans, and tell you honestly where senior finance support would make the biggest difference.

Arrange an introductory conversationBook an introductory call

  • 30 to 45 minutes, by video or in person

    At a time that suits you.

  • A conversation, not a sales pitch

    We want to understand your business first.

  • A clear proposal

    If we can help, you will know what we suggest and what it will cost.