DS SMITH PACKAGING LIMITED

PaymentCheck Score 2025
28Poor
4.9vs last year
#4395 in UK
#147 in Manufacturing
#152 in Unknown

Company Information

Company Number
00630681
Registered Address
Level 3 1 Paddington Square, London, United Kingdom, W2 1DL
Status
Active
Employee Count
3,314
Turnover
£687,243,000
EBITDA
£46,223,000

Additional Details

Company Type
Private limited Company
Incorporated On
18 June 1959
Nature of Business
17219 - Manufacture of other paper and paperboard containers
Industries
Manufacturing
Region
UnknownNot specified in payment practices report

Time to Pay

Average Time to Pay
81 days
Shortest Period:90 days
Longest Period:0 days
Max Contractual:120 days

Payment Timeline

Within 30 Days
9%
31-60 Days
19%
After 60 Days
72%
Not Paid Within Terms8%

Payment Features

Participates in Codes✗ No
E-Invoicing✗ No
Supply Chain Finance✗ No

Payment Score History

Excellent (80+) Good (60-79) Fair (40-59) Poor (20-39) Very Poor (<20)

Company Review

Trend Analysis

Payment speed for DS SMITH PACKAGING LIMITED consistently trends towards extended terms, with an average payment time of 81 days. A significant 72% of invoices are paid over 60 days, indicating a clear and persistent trajectory of very slow payment cycles. Only 9% of payments fall within 30 days, highlighting a consistent pattern of delayed rather than prompt settlement.

Volatility Analysis

Payment reliability is low regarding promptness, as 72% of payments consistently extend beyond 60 days. This pattern suggests a predictable slowness rather than unpredictable spikes, with a clear risk of extended cash conversion cycles for suppliers. The predictability lies in the high likelihood of delayed payment rather than payment being on-time.

Summary Analysis

Suppliers should proceed with caution, anticipating significantly extended payment cycles averaging 81 days. Key decision factors include the supplier's own cash flow needs and ability to finance prolonged credit periods. Mitigation strategies could involve negotiating shorter payment terms, requesting partial upfront payments, or incorporating financing costs into pricing.

Performance Reports History

Reporting Period Filed: 2025-05-29
Reporting PeriodFiling DateAverage Time to Pay (days)Paid within 30 daysPaid 31-60 daysPaid after 60 daysNot Paid within Terms
01 Nov 2024 - 30 Apr 202529 May 2025819%19%72%8%
01 May 2024 - 31 Oct 202429 Nov 20247615%21%65%9%
01 Nov 2023 - 30 Apr 202429 May 20247911%23%66%8%
01 May 2023 - 31 Oct 202328 Nov 20237612%25%64%9%
01 Nov 2022 - 30 Apr 202326 May 20237022%23%55%9%
01 May 2022 - 31 Oct 202230 Nov 20227721%21%57%12%
01 Nov 2021 - 30 Apr 202230 May 20227710%25%65%14%
01 May 2021 - 31 Oct 202126 Nov 2021789%27%64%11%
01 Nov 2020 - 30 Apr 202128 May 20217910%28%61%11%
01 May 2020 - 31 Oct 202027 Nov 20207910%28%62%12%
01 Nov 2019 - 30 Apr 202028 May 2020808%31%61%14%
01 May 2019 - 31 Oct 201928 Nov 2019828%30%62%17%
01 Nov 2018 - 30 Apr 201930 May 2019806%32%62%18%
01 May 2018 - 31 Oct 201828 Nov 2018758%34%58%21%
01 Nov 2017 - 30 Apr 201831 May 2018747%35%58%22%
01 May 2017 - 31 Oct 201730 Nov 20178421%30%49%22%

Payment Time Trends

Payment Distribution Trends

Invoice Payment Practices

This information is as reported by the business, and responses are in their own words.

Payment Terms

Standard payment terms

90 days

Were there any changes to the standard payment terms in the reporting period?

No information available

Any other information about payment terms

No additional information

Maximum contractual payment period agreed

120

Dispute Resolution Process

Complaints or concerns should be raised in the first instance with the Accounts Payable team, for which all suppliers have contact details. The Accounts Payable team will escalate where applicable to the Accounts Payable team leader, and the Group legal team.

Other Payment Information

Has this business signed up to a code of conduct or standards on payment practices?

For example, signatories to The Prompt Payment Code must commit to paying 95% of their invoices within 60 days.

Does this business offer e-invoicing in relation to qualifying contracts?

This is where suppliers can electronically submit and track invoices. It's not just allowing suppliers to email them an invoice.

Does this business offer supply chain finance?

This is where a supplier who has submitted an invoice can be paid by a third-party finance provider earlier than the agreed payment date. The business would then pay the finance provider the invoiced sum.

Under its payment practices and policies, can this business deduct sums from payments under qualifying contracts as a charge for remaining on a supplier list?

During the reporting period, did the business deduct sums from payments as a charge for remaining on a supplier list?

No information available

Company Summary

DS SMITH PACKAGING LIMITED is an active private limited company. Its name indicates its specialisation in packaging, operating within the United Kingdom.

The company, registered under company number 00630681, was incorporated on 18 June 1959. Its registered office is located at Level 3 1 Paddington Square, London, United Kingdom, W2 1DL.

As a packaging company in the UK market, DS SMITH PACKAGING LIMITED typically designs, manufactures, and supplies a variety of packaging solutions. These often encompass corrugated packaging, recycled paper products, and other bespoke packaging services for numerous industry sectors.

Financial Metrics

Cash
£15,600,000
Net Worth
-£6,400,000
Total Current Assets
£149,400,000
Total Current Liabilities
£503,300,000

Company Location