North West Businesses Outpace UK Average on Payments, But Wide Disparities Persist

The Numbers

• Companies analysed: 476
• Average PaymentCheck Score: 65.5/100
• UK average: 50.0/100 (North West is 15.5 points above)
• Top score: 100/100 (achieved by multiple companies)
• Lowest score: 18.5/100

What Stands Out

The North West significantly outperforms the UK average in payment practices, suggesting a stronger payment culture overall. However, the considerable gap between the best and worst payers highlights inconsistencies within the region's businesses.

Best Payers

Five companies achieved perfect PaymentCheck scores of 100/100, indicating exemplary payment practices:

1. MEDICINES DISCOVERY CATAPULT SERVICES COMMERCIAL LIMITED
2. RULLION ENGINEERING LIMITED
3. PAYSTREAM MY MAX HOLDINGS LIMITED
4. PAYSTREAM MY MAX 3 LIMITED
5. FOCUSED GROUP LIMITED

These top performers represent diverse sectors and should be commended for their commitment to timely payments.

Worst Payers

The bottom five companies reveal significant payment performance issues, falling far below the regional average:

1. CROWN PACKAGING MANUFACTURING UK LIMITED - 18.5/100
2. WINNINGTON CHP LIMITED - 19.5/100
3. DNATA CATERING UK LIMITED - 20.07/100
4. AMEC FOSTER WHEELER LIMITED - 21/100
5. BAKER BAKER PRODUCTS UK LIMITED - 22.6/100

These scores suggest potential cash flow problems or, at worst, disregard for supplier payment terms. You can calculate any late payment fees with our late payment calculator.

Sector Breakdown

While sector data is limited in scope, the Data sector tops the list with an average PaymentCheck Score of 94.2, but this is based on data from only one company. Human Resources shows a strong sector average of 86.2, based on a sample size of 14 companies. Education is also a strong sector with an average score of 82.2 out of 16 companies. The remaining sector data (Train Travel, Care Services) has a sample size small enough that wider conclusions are difficult to draw.

The fact that the sector with the highest score is based on a single company is an important disclaimer.

Takeaway

While the North West boasts a 65.5/100 average PaymentCheck Score, a significant 15.5 points above the national benchmark, the presence of companies scoring as low as 18.5/100 reveals persistent disparities in payment conduct.