UK Raw Materials Sector Beats Average on Payments, But Wide Disparities Persist

The Numbers

• Companies analysed: 107
• Average PaymentCheck Score: 56.1/100
• UK average across all sectors: 50.0/100
• Raw Materials & Intermediate Goods sector is 6.1 points above the UK average.
• Top payer: AMALGAMET LIMITED (100/100)
• Bottom payer: ZF AUTOMOTIVE UK LIMITED (18/100)
• London average: 75.6/100 (13 companies)
• Wales average: 65.7/100 (4 companies)

What Stands Out

The raw materials and intermediate goods sector is, on average, doing slightly better than the rest of the UK when it comes to prompt payment, but the difference isn't exactly earth-shattering. A nearly 82-point spread between the best and worst payers signals that some firms are really struggling (or not trying) to pay on time.

Best Payers

1. AMALGAMET LIMITED - 100/100
2. TRILAND METALS LIMITED - 98.6/100
3. METDIST LIMITED - 97.9/100
4. STEMCOR LONDON LIMITED - 97.2/100
5. MINMETALS (U.K) LIMITED - 95.4/100

Worst Payers

1. ZF AUTOMOTIVE UK LIMITED - 18/100
2. SHERWIN-WILLIAMS UK LIMITED - 22.7/100
3. FORTERRA BUILDING PRODUCTS LIMITED - 23.6/100
4. NALCO LIMITED - 28/100
5. MEXICHEM UK LIMITED - 28.1/100

Regional Patterns

London-based raw materials companies seem to be the most reliable payers with an average score of 75.6/100, far outstripping the sector average of 56.1/100, while companies in the South East lag behind with an average of 56.0/100. Wales and the East of England also show healthy averages of 65.7/100 and 64.8/100 respectively, but a small sample size means the data should be approached with caution.

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Takeaway: Despite an overall PaymentCheck score of 56.1/100 – above the national average – ZF AUTOMOTIVE UK LIMITED's score of 18/100 highlights significant payment inconsistencies within the Raw Materials And Intermediate Goods sector.

2025: The Story

The Raw Materials and Intermediate Goods sector demonstrated a positive shift in 2025, with the average payment score improving by 2.1 points to 56.1/100. This upward trend was significantly influenced by strong individual performances; Lubricants UK Limited, for example, surged by an impressive 21.0 points to reach 67.2/100, demonstrating a substantial commitment to better payment practices. Equally noteworthy, Triland Metals Limited achieved a near-perfect score of 98.6/100 following a 9.9-point improvement, becoming a benchmark for the sector.

However, not all companies followed suit. Woodbridge Timber Limited experienced a notable decline, dropping 6.6 points to 68.5/100, indicating potential challenges impacting its payment behavior. An interesting dynamic emerged within the metals sub-sector, where Triland Metals Limited soared, while Duferco UK Limited saw a 6.0-point drop to 41.4/100, highlighting divergent pressures or strategies among peers. The overall improvement occurred despite 34 companies exiting the dataset, offset by the entry of new significant players like KDM International Limited (69.5/100). Suppliers should monitor specific industry segments closely, as individual company performance can vary significantly even within an improving market.