APPLIED POWER SERVICES (SOUTH WESTERN) LIMITED

💤Zombieactive
02742606 · ltd · incorporated 1992-08-25
Investment thesis
Zombie company — trading but stalled; unlikely mover.
Why interesting: Quiet, steady; could be a succession or carve-out candidate with the right conversation.
Why risky: No growth signal; thin margin for error on price.
🔒Estimated value
—
Upgrade to see
Turnover
—
year to Dec 2024
Net worth
—
book net assets
Opportunity
76/100
Strong
🔔
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What this business does
Primary activity: SIC 27110
Sector: Manufacturing
Investor take
Pass (distressed without resilience)
Distressed active trading company — structural issues outweigh the discount.

Opportunity 76/100 (strong), bankability 80/100. Strong seller-intent signal (70/100, director aged 58). Share purchase looks the cleaner deal structure. Biggest value-creation lever: Resolve: 1 insolvency-related filing on record. Filings relating to insolvency, liquidation, or administration exist in the company's history. Review before proceeding. Most likely exit: share sale to pe / searcher (73/100).

🏦

Refinance opportunity

1 live charge · oldest 29.1y

45/100
under pressure

Refinance would be pressure-driven, not opportunity-driven. Expect tighter margins and covenant scrutiny.

  • · Oldest live charge is 29.1 years old — likely at or near maturity.
  • · Single lender — cleanest path to refinance.
  • · Distress signals active — lender appetite narrows.

Data confidence

Overall: medium (79/100)

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
1 charges (1/1 with lender, 1/1 with type)
90
Directors & officers
15 officers (1 active, 15 linked, 12 with DOB)
86
Ownership & PSC
2 active PSC(s) of 2 total, 2 with control declared
90
Director network
1 connected companies via shared directors
48
Filing history
117 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
Opportunity Score
76/100Strong
PassWatchWorth a lookStrongExceptional 

Solid opportunity signal. Worth a dedicated memo and management meeting.

Business quality
70
Active, clean filings, stable charge profile.
Acquirability
80
Strong succession / seller-readiness signals.
Risk profile
67
Some moderate concerns — review flags.
Signal strength
100
Good data coverage for analysis.

Key financials

2 years extracted from filed iXBRL accounts
Cash
—
Net Worth
—
Current Assets
—
Current Liabilities
—
£0£0£0£0£0£0Dec 2023Dec 2024

Hover to see exact values · click legend to toggle series

Financials

Extracted from Companies House accounts · FRS 102
Metric2024-12-312023-12-31
Average employees26002600

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 (47 events)Click to expand
  1. 2025-09-26
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
    accounts · AA
  2. 2024-09-24
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
    accounts · AA
  3. 2023-09-29
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
    accounts · AA
  4. 2022-09-30
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
    accounts · AA
  5. 2021-09-29
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
    accounts · AA
  6. 2020-09-30
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
    accounts · AA
  7. 2019-10-01
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
    accounts · AA
  8. 2018-12-20
    📄
    resolution
    resolution · RESOLUTIONS
  9. 2018-09-20
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
    accounts · AA
  10. 2017-09-11
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
    accounts · AA
  11. 2017-09-11
    📄
    notification-of-a-person-with-significant-control
    persons-with-significant-control · PSC02
  12. 2017-04-07
    📄
    capital-statement-capital-company-with-date-currency-figure
    capital · SH19
  13. 2017-03-21
    📄
    legacy
    capital · SH20
  14. 2017-03-21
    ⚠️
    legacy
    insolvency · CAP-SS
  15. 2017-03-21
    📄
    resolution
    resolution · RESOLUTIONS
  16. 2017-03-21
    📄
    change-account-reference-date-company-previous-extended
    accounts · AA01
  17. 2015-11-11
    ➖
    NICHOLLS, Edward John resigned
    secretary
  18. 2015-11-11
    ➖
    NICHOLLS, Edward John resigned
    director
  19. 2011-02-16
    ➖
    MACMILLAN, Huw Daniel resigned
    director
  20. 2011-02-15
    ➕
    MACMILLAN, Huw Daniel appointed
    director
  21. 2011-02-15
    ➖
    MACMILLAN, Huw Daniel resigned
    director
  22. 2011-02-15
    ➖
    MACMILLAN, Ian resigned
    director
  23. 2010-05-12
    ➕
    MACMILLAN, Huw Daniel appointed
    director
  24. 2003-01-31
    ➖
    MACMILLAN, Susanne resigned
    director
  25. 2003-01-06
    ➕
    MACMILLAN, Ian appointed
    director
  26. 2000-08-20
    ➖
    MACMILLAN, Huw resigned
    director
  27. 1997-10-31
    ➖
    MACMILLAN, Kenneth Brinley resigned
    director
  28. 1997-10-31
    ➕
    MACMILLAN, Susanne appointed
    director
  29. 1997-06-24
    🔒
    Charge registered #1
    Lender: Yorkshire Bank PLC
  30. 1995-09-25
    ➕
    NICHOLLS, Mark John appointed
    director
  31. 1995-09-25
    ➕
    MACMILLAN, Huw appointed
    director
  32. 1995-08-11
    ➕
    NICHOLLS, Edward John appointed
    secretary
  33. 1995-08-11
    ➖
    PLAYLE, Charles Allan resigned
    secretary
  34. 1995-08-11
    ➖
    GUEST, Neil Stuart resigned
    director
  35. 1995-08-11
    ➖
    PLAYLE, Charles Allan resigned
    director
  36. 1992-12-05
    ➕
    PLAYLE, Charles Allan appointed
    secretary
  37. 1992-12-05
    ➖
    WRIGHT, David resigned
    secretary
  38. 1992-12-05
    ➕
    GUEST, Neil Stuart appointed
    director
  39. 1992-12-05
    ➕
    MACMILLAN, Kenneth Brinley appointed
    director
  40. 1992-12-05
    ➕
    NICHOLLS, Edward John appointed
    director
  41. 1992-12-05
    ➕
    PLAYLE, Charles Allan appointed
    director
  42. 1992-12-05
    ➖
    WILKINSON, Simon Paul resigned
    director
  43. 1992-12-05
    ➖
    WRIGHT, David resigned
    director
  44. 1992-08-25
    🏢
    Company incorporated
    As APPLIED POWER SERVICES (SOUTH WESTERN) LIMITED
  45. 1992-08-25
    ➕
    WRIGHT, David appointed
    secretary
  46. 1992-08-25
    ➕
    WILKINSON, Simon Paul appointed
    director
  47. 1992-08-25
    ➕
    WRIGHT, David appointed
    director

Owner dependency

93/100
Critical — business is the founder

The business appears inseparable from the founder. Acquisition without a serious earn-out or meaningful transition period would likely destroy value.

FACTORS
  • +Sole director: Only one active director — all governance concentrated on one person.
  • +Long-tenure founder: Senior director has been in place 31 years — deep operational knowledge concentrated in one person.
  • +Senior director age: Director aged approximately 58 — approaching natural succession window.

Succession & seller-readiness

85/100
Likely off-market candidate

Strong acquirability signals converging. Worth approaching directly — this is how off-market deals start.

SIGNALS
  • secondaryFounder aged 58+: Senior director is approximately 58. Early succession window.
  • primarySole active director: Only one director in control. No visible successor — buyers solve the succession problem.
  • primary20+ year tenure: Director in role 31 years. Very long tenure is a classic succession signal.
  • secondaryStable-but-static management: Company is 34 years old and no new directors in the last 3 years — succession not yet being planned internally.
  • supportingClean filings + long tenure: Disciplined long-tenure operator — classic lifestyle-business pattern that often sells quietly.

Red flags

1 high ·
1 insolvency-related filing on record
high

Filings relating to insolvency, liquidation, or administration exist in the company's history. Review before proceeding.

Evidence: 2017-03-21: legacy

Group structure

Applied Property Services Limited is the ultimate parent — holding 75%+ shares. This company sits inside their group.

🏛️
Applied Property Services Limited
Corporate parent · holds 75-100% shares
ultimate parent
⬇
APPLIED POWER SERVICES (SOUTH WESTERN) LIMITED
This company · 02742606

Parent relationships inferred from Persons with Significant Control filings. Full subsidiary tree requires reverse-lookup (coming).

Shareholders & ownership

2 active beneficial owners · dominant holder ≥75%
NameSharesVoting rightsNature of controlNotified
Applied Property Services Limited
Corporate entity
75–100%
75–100%75-100% shares · 75-100% voting08/03/2017
Mr Mark John Nicholls
Individual · British · DOB 08/1963 · age 63
75–100%
75–100%board controlsig. influence75-100% shares · 75-100% voting · board control · significant influence06/04/2016

From Companies House Persons with Significant Control filings. Share ranges are banded per the public PSC regime.

🔒Co-director network graph

Radial SVG graph showing every company connected via shared directors, colour-coded by status.

Available from the Pro tier upwards.

See pricing →

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Peers ranked by estimated value, then turnover, then opportunity score.See all →
🔒Tailored diligence questions

8 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
Incorporated1992-08-25
Jurisdictionengland-wales
Primary SIC27110 — SIC 27110

Registered office

Naval Yard
Tylacelyn Road
Penygraig
Rhondda Cynon Taf
CF40 1JS

Filing status

Accounts
Next due: 2026-09-30
Last made up to: 2024-12-31
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2026-09-08
Last: 2025-08-25

Officers (1 active · 14 resigned)

NICHOLLS, Mark John→
director · ~58y · appointed 1995-09-25
View their other companies + combined net worth →
Active
NICHOLLS, Edward John→
secretary · appointed 1995-08-11 · resigned 2015-11-11
Resigned
PLAYLE, Charles Allan→
secretary · appointed 1992-12-05 · resigned 1995-08-11
Resigned
WRIGHT, David→
secretary · appointed 1992-08-25 · resigned 1992-12-05
Resigned
GUEST, Neil Stuart→
director · ~67y · appointed 1992-12-05 · resigned 1995-08-11
Resigned
MACMILLAN, Huw Daniel→
director · ~53y · appointed 2011-02-15 · resigned 2011-02-16
Resigned
MACMILLAN, Huw Daniel→
director · ~53y · appointed 2010-05-12 · resigned 2011-02-15
Resigned
MACMILLAN, Huw→
director · ~53y · appointed 1995-09-25 · resigned 2000-08-20
Resigned
MACMILLAN, Ian→
director · ~82y · appointed 2003-01-06 · resigned 2011-02-15
Resigned
MACMILLAN, Kenneth Brinley→
director · ~85y · appointed 1992-12-05 · resigned 1997-10-31
Resigned
MACMILLAN, Susanne→
director · ~81y · appointed 1997-10-31 · resigned 2003-01-31
Resigned
NICHOLLS, Edward John→
director · ~85y · appointed 1992-12-05 · resigned 2015-11-11
Resigned
PLAYLE, Charles Allan→
director · ~84y · appointed 1992-12-05 · resigned 1995-08-11
Resigned
WILKINSON, Simon Paul→
director · ~65y · appointed 1992-08-25 · resigned 1992-12-05
Resigned
WRIGHT, David→
director · ~78y · appointed 1992-08-25 · resigned 1992-12-05
Resigned

Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.

Mortgages & charges

1
Total charges
1
Outstanding
1
Active lenders
Status:Lender:1 of 1 shown
TypeProperties
outstanding
Virgin Money
Yorkshire Bank PLC
Debenture1 property24/06/1997—
Click column headers to sort. Use filters above to narrow by status and lender.

Recent filings (117 total)

accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2025-09-26
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-09-05
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2024-09-24
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2024-08-30
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2023-09-29
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2023-08-25
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2022-09-30
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2022-08-31
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2021-09-29
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2021-09-02
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2020-09-30
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2020-08-27
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2019-10-01
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2019-09-03
resolution
resolution · RESOLUTIONS
2018-12-20