ACL (2002) LIMITED
🌳Matureactive
04578644 · ltd · incorporated 2002-10-31
Investment thesis
Established operating company — standard diligence applies, no dominant angle.
Why interesting: Live, filing, normal profile.
Why risky: No standout signals in either direction.
🔒Estimated value
—
Upgrade to see
Turnover
—
year to Mar 2024
Net worth
—
book net assets
Opportunity
69/100
Strong
What this business does
Primary activity: Manufacture of other furniture
Sector: Manufacturing
Investor take
Pass (distressed without resilience)Distressed active trading company — structural issues outweigh the discount.
Opportunity 69/100 (strong), bankability 47/100. Strong seller-intent signal (78/100, director aged 73). Asset purchase likely safer than share purchase given structural signals. Biggest value-creation lever: File overdue accounts. Clears statutory overdue flag — immediate bankability uplift for refinance conversations. Most likely exit: share sale to pe / searcher (45/100).
🏦
Refinance opportunity
7 live charges · 5 lenders · oldest 20.2y
25/100
too messy
Refinance path is blocked by complexity. Rethink structure or expect bespoke, expensive terms.
- · Oldest live charge is 20.2 years old — likely at or near maturity.
- · 5 lenders named — inter-creditor friction likely.
- · Legal-friction score 25/100 — workable, but lender will want more DD.
- · Not currently profitable — coverage conversation is a harder sell.
Data confidence
Overall: high (81/100)Strong data coverage across all sections. AI outputs should be trusted with minimal caveats.
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
7 charges (7/7 with lender, 7/7 with type)
90
Directors & officers
8 officers (3 active, 8 linked, 4 with DOB)
80
Ownership & PSC
1 active PSC(s) of 2 total, 2 with control declared
90
Director network
9 connected companies via shared directors
72
Filing history
94 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
Opportunity Score
69/100Strong
PassWatchWorth a lookStrongExceptional
Solid opportunity signal. Worth a dedicated memo and management meeting.
Business quality
55
Adequate — check latest filings for context.
Acquirability
80
Strong succession / seller-readiness signals.
Risk profile
59
Some moderate concerns — review flags.
Signal strength
100
Good data coverage for analysis.
Signals from accounts
Derived from iXBRL accounts · FRS 102Loss-making
Loss before tax £490,052
Key financials
2 years extracted from filed iXBRL accountsCash
—
Net Worth
—
Current Assets
—
Current Liabilities
—
Hover to see exact values · click legend to toggle series
Financials
Extracted from Companies House accounts · FRS 102| Metric | 2024-03-31 | 2023-03-31 |
|---|---|---|
| Profit before tax | £-490.1k | £-427.7k |
| Average employees | 86 | 10400 |
Amounts extracted automatically from iXBRL. Fields left blank were not reported or not mapped. Values in GBP unless stated.
🔒Filing-note intelligence
2 signals 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
1
filing
- • 1 gazette
Last 90 days
1
filing
- • 1 gazette
Last 180 days
1
filing
- • 1 gazette
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (43 events)Click to expand
- 2026-05-26📄gazette-notice-compulsorygazette · GAZ1
- 2025-11-10📄accounts-with-accounts-type-fullaccounts · AA
- 2025-06-07📄gazette-filings-brought-up-to-dategazette · DISS40
- 2025-05-27📄gazette-notice-compulsorygazette · GAZ1
- 2024-08-13📄accounts-with-accounts-type-fullaccounts · AA
- 2024-07-09📍change-registered-office-address-company-with-date-old-address-new-addressaddress · AD01
- 2022-12-22📄accounts-with-accounts-type-fullaccounts · AA
- 2021-12-24📄accounts-with-accounts-type-fullaccounts · AA
- 2021-08-09📄mortgage-create-with-deed-with-charge-number-charge-creation-datemortgage · MR01
- 2021-08-02🔒Charge registered #7Lender: Meif Wm Debt LP Acting by Its General Partner Maven Meif (Wm) Gp (One) Limited
- 2021-05-19📄mortgage-satisfy-charge-fullmortgage · MR04
- 2021-05-19🔓Charge satisfied #6
- 2021-03-31📄accounts-with-accounts-type-fullaccounts · AA
- 2020-01-06📄accounts-with-accounts-type-fullaccounts · AA
- 2020-01-02📄mortgage-charge-whole-release-with-charge-numbermortgage · MR05
- 2019-05-15📄change-to-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC04
- 2019-05-14📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2019-01-08📄accounts-with-accounts-type-fullaccounts · AA
- 2018-01-31📄mortgage-create-with-deed-with-charge-number-charge-creation-datemortgage · MR01
- 2018-01-31🔒Charge registered #6Lender: Rbs Invoice Finance LTD
- 2016-12-21🔒Charge registered #5Lender: National Westminster Bank PLC
- 2014-09-06🔓Charge satisfied #4
- 2014-09-06🔓Charge satisfied #3
- 2014-09-06🔓Charge satisfied #1
- 2014-04-01➕WATTS, Craig Royston, Mr. appointedsecretary
- 2014-03-31➖DONNELLY, Ian Martin resignedsecretary
- 2010-09-30➖DONNELLY, Ian Martin resigneddirector
- 2007-11-14🔒Charge registered #4Lender: National Westminster Bank PLC
- 2007-06-20🔒Charge registered #3Lender: Rbs Invoice Finance Limited
- 2007-06-14🔓Charge satisfied #2
- 2007-02-02🔒Charge registered #2Lender: Lloyds Tsb Bank PLC
- 2006-03-30🔒Charge registered #1Lender: Lloyds Tsb Bank PLC
- 2005-12-08➖WALKER, Ian Rodway resigneddirector
- 2002-11-14➕BENNETT, Robert appointeddirector
- 2002-11-14➕WATTS, Craig Royston appointeddirector
- 2002-11-14➕DONNELLY, Ian Martin appointedsecretary
- 2002-11-14➕DONNELLY, Ian Martin appointeddirector
- 2002-11-14➕WALKER, Ian Rodway appointeddirector
- 2002-10-31🏢Company incorporatedAs ACL (2002) LIMITED
- 2002-10-31➕CENTRAL SECRETARIES LIMITED appointedcorporate-nominee-secretary
- 2002-10-31➖CENTRAL SECRETARIES LIMITED resignedcorporate-nominee-secretary
- 2002-10-31➕CENTRAL DIRECTORS LIMITED appointedcorporate-nominee-director
- 2002-10-31➖CENTRAL DIRECTORS LIMITED resignedcorporate-nominee-director
Owner dependency
83/100
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.
- +Long-tenure founder: Senior director has been in place 24 years — deep operational knowledge concentrated in one person.
- +Founder age: Director aged approximately 73 — succession pressure is live.
Succession & seller-readiness
91/100
Likely off-market candidateStrong acquirability signals converging. Worth approaching directly — this is how off-market deals start.
SIGNALS
- primaryFounder aged 70+: Senior director is approximately 73 years old. Natural succession window is now.
- secondaryTwo-director governance: Small-team governance. Succession depth is thin but not absent.
- primary20+ year tenure: Director in role 24 years. Very long tenure is a classic succession signal.
- secondaryStable-but-static management: Company is 24 years old and no new directors in the last 3 years — succession not yet being planned internally.
Red flags
1 high · 1 med ·Accounts overdue
highStatutory accounts have not been filed by their due date. Can indicate admin breakdown, cash preservation, or deliberate delay.
Evidence: Next due: 2026-03-31
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
1 active beneficial owner · dominant holder ≥75%| Name | Shares | Voting rights | Nature of control | Notified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mr Craig Royston Watts Individual · British · DOB 09/1960 · age 66 | 75–100% | 75–100% | 75-100% shares · 75-100% voting | 06/04/2016 |
1 historic (ceased) PSC
- Mr Robert Bennettceased 21/12/2017· 25-50% shares · 25-50% voting
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 →Similar companies
Active · Manufacturing · B postcode area| Company | Est. value | Turnover | Net worth | Staff | Age | Opp | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A & D PRINTING UK LIMITED→ 11144003 · est 2018 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 8y | — | — |
| A. & D. LOCK AND KEY CO. LIMITED→ 01237267 · est 1975 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 50y | — | — |
| A.D. RECYCLING SOLUTIONS LIMITED→ 04909242 · est 2003 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 22y | — | — |
| ACHECH UK LTD→ 09944716 · est 2016 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 10y | — | — |
| ACJ FURNITURE LTD→ 13059012 · est 2020 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 5y | — | — |
| ACM TECHNICS LIMITED→ 10573313 · est 2017 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 9y | — | — |
| ACME ENGINEERING PRODUCTS UK LIMITED→ 10414556 · est 2016 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 9y | — | — |
| ACME METAL SPINNING & BEDALE LIMITED→ 05602773 · est 2005 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 20y | — | — |
| ACME SPINNING CO.(OLDBURY)LIMITED→ 00528788 · est 1954 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 72y | — | — |
| ACONIA CASTINGS LIMITED→ 01866515 · est 1984 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 41y | — | — |
| ACPS AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES LTD→ 14563386 · est 2022 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 3y | — | — |
| ACRILICA LTD→ 14539920 · est 2022 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 3y | — | — |
Peers ranked by estimated value, then turnover, then opportunity score.See all →
🔒Tailored diligence questions
10 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
Incorporated2002-10-31
Jurisdictionengland-wales
Primary SIC31090 — Manufacture of other furniture
Registered office
91 Birmingham Road
West Bromwich
B70 6PX
England
Filing status
Accounts
Next due: 2026-03-31OVERDUE
Last made up to: 2024-03-31
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2026-11-01
Last: 2025-10-18
Officers (3 active · 5 resigned)
WATTS, Craig Royston, Mr.→
Activesecretary · appointed 2014-04-01
View their other companies + combined net worth →
BENNETT, Robert→
Activedirector · ~73y · appointed 2002-11-14
View their other companies + combined net worth →
WATTS, Craig Royston→
Activedirector · ~66y · appointed 2002-11-14
View their other companies + combined net worth →
DONNELLY, Ian Martin→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2002-11-14 · resigned 2014-03-31
CENTRAL SECRETARIES LIMITED→
Resignedcorporate-nominee-secretary · appointed 2002-10-31 · resigned 2002-10-31
DONNELLY, Ian Martin→
Resigneddirector · ~72y · appointed 2002-11-14 · resigned 2010-09-30
WALKER, Ian Rodway→
Resigneddirector · ~76y · appointed 2002-11-14 · resigned 2005-12-08
CENTRAL DIRECTORS LIMITED→
Resignedcorporate-nominee-director · appointed 2002-10-31 · resigned 2002-10-31
Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.
Mortgages & charges
7
Total charges
2
Outstanding
2
Active lenders
Status:Lender:7 of 7 shown
| Type | Properties | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| outstanding | Meif Wm Debt LP Acting by Its General Partner Maven Meif (Wm) Gp (One) Meif Wm Debt LP Acting by Its General Partner Maven Meif (Wm) Gp (One) Limited | A registered charge | — | 02/08/2021 | — | |
| satisfied | NatWest Group Rbs Invoice Finance LTD | A registered charge | — | 31/01/2018 | 19/05/2021 | |
| outstanding | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | A registered charge | 1 property | 21/12/2016 | — | |
| satisfied | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | Debenture | 1 property | 14/11/2007 | 06/09/2014 | |
| satisfied | NatWest Group Rbs Invoice Finance Limited | Fixed and floating charge | 1 property | 20/06/2007 | 06/09/2014 | |
| satisfied | Lloyds Banking Group Lloyds Tsb Bank PLC | Debenture | 1 property | 02/02/2007 | 14/06/2007 | |
| satisfied | Lloyds Banking Group Lloyds Tsb Bank PLC | Deposit agreement to secure own liabilities | 1 property | 30/03/2006 | 06/09/2014 |
Click column headers to sort. Use filters above to narrow by status and lender.
Recent filings (94 total)
gazette-notice-compulsory
gazette · GAZ1
2026-05-26
accounts-with-accounts-type-full
accounts · AA
2025-11-10
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-11-06
gazette-filings-brought-up-to-date
gazette · DISS40
2025-06-07
gazette-notice-compulsory
gazette · GAZ1
2025-05-27
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2024-10-31
accounts-with-accounts-type-full
accounts · AA
2024-08-13
change-registered-office-address-company-with-date-old-address-new-address
address · AD01
2024-07-09
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2023-11-02
accounts-with-accounts-type-full
accounts · AA
2022-12-22
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2022-11-09
accounts-with-accounts-type-full
accounts · AA
2021-12-24
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2021-10-18
mortgage-create-with-deed-with-charge-number-charge-creation-date
mortgage · MR01
2021-08-09
mortgage-satisfy-charge-full
mortgage · MR04
2021-05-19