Credit Management in the Plastics Industry
Reducing Risk and Improving Profitability

Thursday 6th March, BPF Offices, London, EC2A 3JE

In the last 5 years the number of plastics companies in the UK has decreased by over 15%.  Many of these companies disappeared because of cash flow and debt collection problems as there is often an inability to get the right balance between the sales and financial functions.  Sometimes failure results from inaccurate credit scoring, a lack of understanding of the legal tools available or inadequate insurance. 

This seminar sets out to explain the importance of credit management for plastics companies and how to deploy it to the greatest possible effect in your business. 

This seminar sets out to explain the for plastics companies the key importance of credit management, and how to deploy it to the greatest possible effect in your business

Topics will include:

• Achieving  the right balance between credit and sales
• Confidential Invoice Discounting
• Innovative export credit schemes and debt collecting in overseas markets
• Credit scoring and when to be sceptical about the warnings
• Legal tools available to recover debts
• The importance of insuring against credit risk

CLICK HERE to download the registration form

10.00    Registration and Coffee

10.20    Introduction and Overview

10.30    Sales Versus Credit: The Eternal Dilemma (David Hawkins, General Manager, CPA PAID)

• The issues companies face when giving credit terms
• The importance of having a firm credit control policy
• Grow the business without growing bad payers

11.00    Total Credit Management (David Hawkins, General Manager, CPA PAID)

• Information – Knowing who your dealing with so you can grant credit with confidence
• Collection – Having a robust system in place that enables you to be paid on time and still maintain good will
• Protection – Making sure any debts that remain unpaid don’t turn into bad debts

11.30    Coffee Break

11.45    Confidential Invoice Discounting (Julie Smith, Area Director, Barclays Bank)

• Benefits for business and how it can help your business grow

12.15    Credit Issues For Exporters (TBC)

• An overview of export finance options
• Trends in export finance

12.45    Lunch

• Data and its sources
• Usefulness and legality of credit circles
• Information tools at your disposal / Credit Reports and credit ratings
• The accuracy of credit reports and when to ignore the warnings

14.00    Spotting The Early Signs of a Business in Trouble (Tyrone Courtman, Cooper Parry)

• The 13 major reasons why a business fails and spotting the signs
• Practical measures to avoid incurring bad debt

14.30    How The Law Can Help You (Bob Scott, Partner Key 2 Law)

• The legal perspective on chasing your debtors
• Process, tactics and strategy: A step by step guide
• The legalities of insolvency, what is the next step
• What legal recourse do you have if a customer fails to pay

14.30    Insuring Against Credit Risk (Mark Sanderson and Samantha Taylor, Willis Commercial Network)

• Benefits of Trade Credit Insurance
• Reducing risk, supporting growth
•  New Business Support - a more direct approach
  

15.00    Seminar Close

Seminar Outline
The seminar is designed to give the attendees a thorough overview of the key issues of credit management, with an insight into the best way to manage credit, assess credit risk and the legal steps you should take should you not get paid.   This seminar will demonstrate that thorough a thorough understanding of credit management and by implementing relatively marginal improvements in policy, organisation and training, substantial dividends can be obtained in terms of business expansion on a secure basis

Who Should Attend?
This interactive session is aimed at anyone responsible for credit management and credit control, such as Financial Directors, Trade Credit and Control Managers and
Supervisors and anyone who has to credit and collection management as part of their duties.  It will also give key sales personnel a comprehensive understanding of credit issues when they are dealing with customers.

Venue: British Plastics Federation 6 Bath Place Rivington Street London, EC2A 3JE T: 02074575000 F: 02074575045 W: www.bpf.co.uk E: bpf@bpf.co.uk