ACASTER STEEL LIMITED
🌳Matureactive
02520747 · ltd · incorporated 1990-07-10
Investment thesis
Well-run mature business — low negotiation leverage; premium likely.
Why interesting: Textbook target; clean filings, stable trading.
Why risky: No pressure on seller; any deal likely at full price.
Opportunity decay
hardening · 12-months
Already tight — no obvious softening catalysts on the horizon.
- · Thesis: well-run, low negotiation leverage
🔒Estimated value
—
Upgrade to see
Turnover
—
year to Dec 2024
Net worth
£638.7k
book net assets
Opportunity
77/100
Strong
What this business does
Primary activity: SIC 46720
Sector: Wholesale & retail
Investor take
PursueActive trading company with a 69-year-old founder — textbook succession opportunity.
Opportunity 77/100 (strong), bankability 67/100. Strong seller-intent signal (68/100, director aged 69). Share purchase looks the cleaner deal structure. Biggest value-creation lever: Consolidate lender relationships. 7 distinct lenders creates friction — refinance into single-lender structure for cleaner diligence. Most likely exit: share sale to pe / searcher (65/100).
🏦
Refinance opportunity
11 live charges · 7 lenders · oldest 35.5y
15/100
under pressure
Refinance would be pressure-driven, not opportunity-driven. Expect tighter margins and covenant scrutiny.
- · Oldest live charge is 35.5 years old — likely at or near maturity.
- · 7 lenders named — inter-creditor friction likely.
- · Cashflow trend is negative — lender view likely cautious.
Data confidence
Overall: medium (78/100)Adequate coverage. AI outputs are reliable for the sections scored high; verify the rest in diligence.
Company profile
address, 1 SIC codes, incorporation date
100
Financials
2 years of iXBRL accounts extracted (YoY deltas available) + narrative notes parsed
75
Lenders & charges
11 charges (11/11 with lender, 11/11 with type)
90
Directors & officers
4 officers (3 active, 4 linked, 3 with DOB)
85
Ownership & PSC
2 active PSC(s) of 3 total, 3 with control declared
90
Director network
Network not yet resolved
30
Filing history
114 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
Opportunity Score
77/100Strong
PassWatchWorth a lookStrongExceptional
Solid opportunity signal. Worth a dedicated memo and management meeting.
Business quality
70
Active, clean filings, stable charge profile.
Acquirability
70
Strong succession / seller-readiness signals.
Risk profile
77
Few red flags.
Signal strength
100
Good data coverage for analysis.
Signals from accounts
Derived from iXBRL accounts · accounting standard not declaredPositive net assets
Net assets £638,715
Net assets shrinking
Down £61,496 YoY
Cash draining
Cash down 62% YoY
Cash YoY
-62%
Year on year
Key financials
2 years extracted from filed iXBRL accountsCash
£7k
↓ 62% YoY
Net Worth
£639k
↓ 8.8% YoY
Current Assets
£529k
↓ 32% YoY
Current Liabilities
—
Hover to see exact values · click legend to toggle series
Financials
Extracted from Companies House accounts · accounting standard unknown| Metric | 2024-12-31 | 2023-12-31 |
|---|---|---|
| Total assets | £701.1k | £828.7k |
| Current assets | £529.2k | £773.2k |
| Cash | £6.7k | £17.8k |
| Debtors | £170.1k | £303.3k |
| Net assets | £638.7k | £700.2k |
Amounts extracted automatically from iXBRL. Fields left blank were not reported or not mapped. Values in GBP unless stated.
🔒Filing-note intelligence
1 signal detected in this company's narrative notes — going-concern language, audit opinion, contingent liabilities, related-party transactions.
Available from the Pro tier upwards.
See pricing →Recent activity
Last 30 days
0
filings
Last 90 days
0
filings
Last 180 days
0
filings
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (39 events)Click to expand
- 2025-09-23📄change-to-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC04
- 2025-09-23📄notification-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC01
- 2025-09-08📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2024-09-26📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2023-08-22📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2022-05-25📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2022-03-01📄mortgage-satisfy-charge-fullmortgage · MR04
- 2022-03-01🔓Charge satisfied #9
- 2022-02-21📄mortgage-create-with-deed-with-charge-number-charge-creation-datemortgage · MR01
- 2022-02-18🔒Charge registered #11Lender: Close Brothers Limited (The “Security Trustee”)
- 2022-01-14📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2021-12-15➕DODSWORTH, Beverly appointeddirector
- 2021-09-24📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2020-09-28📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2019-07-30📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2018-05-02📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2017-09-29📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2017-07-07📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2017-07-07📄change-to-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC04
- 2017-03-29➖PURDY, David William resigneddirector
- 2011-10-10🔓Charge satisfied #8
- 2011-10-10🔓Charge satisfied #6
- 2011-10-10🔓Charge satisfied #3
- 2011-09-05🔒Charge registered #10Lender: Clydesdale Bank PLC
- 2011-08-31🔒Charge registered #9Lender: Clydesdale Bank PLC
- 2010-02-10🔓Charge satisfied #7
- 2010-02-10🔓Charge satisfied #5
- 2010-02-10🔓Charge satisfied #4
- 2005-05-27🔒Charge registered #8Lender: The Royal Bank of Scotland Commercial Services Limited
- 2003-02-21🔒Charge registered #7Lender: Nmb-Heller Limited
- 2001-11-09🔒Charge registered #6Lender: National Westminster Bank PLC
- 1996-05-15🔒Charge registered #5Lender: Trade Indemnity-Heller Commercial Finance Limited
- 1996-05-15🔒Charge registered #4Lender: Trade Indemnity-Heller Commercial Finance Limited
- 1996-05-01🔓Charge satisfied #2
- 1995-10-10🔒Charge registered #3Lender: National Westminster Bank PLC
- 1995-10-10🔒Charge registered #2Lender: James Walton Reynard
- 1994-06-22🔓Charge satisfied #1
- 1990-11-09🔒Charge registered #1Lender: National Westminster Bank PLC
- 1990-07-10🏢Company incorporatedAs ACASTER STEEL LIMITED
Owner dependency
81/100
Critical — business is the founderThe business appears inseparable from the founder. Acquisition without a serious earn-out or meaningful transition period would likely destroy value.
FACTORS
- +Two-director setup: Only two active directors — typical of owner-managed SMEs but limits succession.
- +Founder age: Director aged approximately 69 — succession pressure is live.
- +Family involvement: Multiple officers share a surname — likely family business, which concentrates governance.
Succession & seller-readiness
66/100
Strong succession signalMultiple signals suggest succession is on the horizon. Candidate for proactive outreach.
SIGNALS
- primaryFounder aged 63+: Senior director is approximately 69. Approaching typical UK retirement age — succession thinking likely.
- secondaryTwo-director governance: Small-team governance. Succession depth is thin but not absent.
- secondaryStable-but-static management: Company is 36 years old and no new directors in the last 3 years — succession not yet being planned internally.
Red flags
1 med ·Charge satisfaction-then-recreation pattern
mediumMultiple instances where a charge was satisfied and a new charge created within 6 months. Suggests active refinancing cycle.
Shareholders & ownership
2 active beneficial owners| Name | Shares | Voting rights | Nature of control | Notified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mr Paul James Dodsworth Individual · British · DOB 11/1957 · age 69 | 50–75% | 50–75% | 50-75% shares · 50-75% voting | 06/04/2016 |
Mrs Beverly Dodsworth Individual · British · DOB 07/1960 · age 66 | 25–50% | 25–50% | 25-50% shares · 25-50% voting | 23/09/2025 |
1 historic (ceased) PSC
- Mr David William Purdyceased 29/03/2017· 25-50% shares
From Companies House Persons with Significant Control filings. Share ranges are banded per the public PSC regime.
Similar companies
Active · Wholesale & distribution · YO postcode area| Company | Est. value | Turnover | Net worth | Staff | Age | Opp | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1898 LONDON LTD.→ 12945761 · est 2020 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 5y | — | — |
| A & A EMERALD DISTRIBUTIONS LTD→ 16111505 · est 2024 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 1y | — | — |
| A B ELECTRICAL WHOLESALERS LIMITED→ 02967188 · est 1994 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 31y | — | — |
| A N HOLMES PLUMBING & HEATING CONTRACTOR LTD→ 04598437 · est 2002 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 23y | — | — |
| A. & A. STRAW SUPPLIES LIMITED→ 02917588 · est 1994 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 32y | — | — |
| A&B PRINTING AND EMBROIDERY LIMITED→ 11613009 · est 2018 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 7y | — | — |
| ABBEYWOLD LIMITED→ 10050483 · est 2016 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 10y | — | — |
| ABC ELECTRONICS LIMITED→ 05150382 · est 2004 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 21y | — | — |
| ABRA-WELD LIMITED→ 16246887 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 1y | — | — |
| ABSOLUTE SALES AND PURCHASING LTD→ 10532713 · est 2016 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 9y | — | — |
| ACCESS BUILDING PRODUCTS LIMITED→ 05952723 · est 2006 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 19y | — | — |
| ACCESSORIES BY PARK LANE LIMITED→ 09351730 · est 2014 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 11y | — | — |
Peers ranked by estimated value, then turnover, then opportunity score.See all →
🔒Tailored diligence questions
7 specific questions generated from this company's actual signals — liquidity, leverage, director age, charge count, red flags, age-of-company.
Available from the Pro tier upwards.
See pricing →🔒Advanced scoring suite
Exit-route ranking, improvement thesis, quiet-distress detector, covenant-pressure proxy, extraction monitor, approaching triggers, ownership drift, local cluster, value trap, debt capacity, archetype classification — 48+ scoring modules.
Available from the Pro tier upwards.
See pricing →Company details
Statusactive
Typeltd
Incorporated1990-07-10
Jurisdictionengland-wales
Primary SIC46720 — SIC 46720
Registered office
Units 4-4a Moor Lane Ind Estate
Tholthorpe
York
YO61 1SR
Filing status
Accounts
Next due: 2026-09-30
Last made up to: 2024-12-31
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2026-07-17
Last: 2025-07-03
Officers (3 active · 1 resigned)
Active
DODSWORTH, Beverly→
Activedirector · ~66y · appointed 2021-12-15
View their other companies + combined net worth →
Active
PURDY, David William→
Resigneddirector · ~78y · resigned 2017-03-29
Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.
Mortgages & charges
11
Total charges
2
Outstanding
2
Active lenders
Status:Lender:11 of 11 shown
| Type | Properties | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| outstanding | Close Brothers Close Brothers Limited (The “Security Trustee”) | A registered charge | — | 18/02/2022 | — | |
| outstanding | Virgin Money Clydesdale Bank PLC | Legal mortgage | 1 property | 05/09/2011 | — | |
| satisfied | Virgin Money Clydesdale Bank PLC | Debenture | 1 property | 31/08/2011 | 01/03/2022 | |
| satisfied | Lloyds Banking Group The Royal Bank of Scotland Commercial Services Limited | Fixed and floating charge | 1 property | 27/05/2005 | 10/10/2011 | |
| satisfied | Nmb-Heller Nmb-Heller Limited | Fixed and floating charge over all assets | 1 property | 21/02/2003 | 10/02/2010 | |
| satisfied | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | Legal charge | 1 property | 09/11/2001 | 10/10/2011 | |
| satisfied | Trade Indemnity-Heller Commercial Finance Trade Indemnity-Heller Commercial Finance Limited | First floating charge on stock | 1 property | 15/05/1996 | 10/02/2010 | |
| satisfied | Trade Indemnity-Heller Commercial Finance Trade Indemnity-Heller Commercial Finance Limited | Fixed charge over book debts | 1 property | 15/05/1996 | 10/02/2010 | |
| satisfied | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | Legal mortgage | 1 property | 10/10/1995 | 10/10/2011 | |
| satisfied | James Walton Reynard | Legal charge | 1 property | 10/10/1995 | 01/05/1996 | |
| satisfied | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | Mortgage debenture | 1 property | 09/11/1990 | 22/06/1994 |
Click column headers to sort. Use filters above to narrow by status and lender.
Recent filings (114 total)
change-to-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC04
2025-09-23
notification-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC01
2025-09-23
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2025-09-08
confirmation-statement-with-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-07-14
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2024-09-26
confirmation-statement-with-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2024-07-08
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2023-08-22
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2023-07-13
confirmation-statement-with-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2022-07-07
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2022-05-25
mortgage-satisfy-charge-full
mortgage · MR04
2022-03-01
mortgage-create-with-deed-with-charge-number-charge-creation-date
mortgage · MR01
2022-02-21
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2022-01-14
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2021-09-24
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2021-07-05