the alternative parcels company limited
the alternative parcels company limited Company Information
Company Number
02855735
Next Accounts
Dec 2025
Shareholders
alternative parcels company bidco limited
Group Structure
View All
Industry
Unlicensed Carriers
Registered Address
national sortation centre, blakeney way, cannock, staffordshire, WS11 8LD
Website
http://apc-overnight.comthe alternative parcels company limited Estimated Valuation
Pomanda estimates the enterprise value of THE ALTERNATIVE PARCELS COMPANY LIMITED at £99.9m based on a Turnover of £126.1m and 0.79x industry multiple (adjusted for size and gross margin).
the alternative parcels company limited Estimated Valuation
Pomanda estimates the enterprise value of THE ALTERNATIVE PARCELS COMPANY LIMITED at £52m based on an EBITDA of £8.9m and a 5.85x industry multiple (adjusted for size and gross margin).
the alternative parcels company limited Estimated Valuation
Pomanda estimates the enterprise value of THE ALTERNATIVE PARCELS COMPANY LIMITED at £142.5m based on Net Assets of £48.9m and 2.92x industry multiple (adjusted for liquidity).
Edit your figures and get a professional valuation report.
The Alternative Parcels Company Limited Overview
The Alternative Parcels Company Limited is a live company located in cannock, WS11 8LD with a Companies House number of 02855735. It operates in the other postal and courier activities sector, SIC Code 53202. Founded in September 1993, it's largest shareholder is alternative parcels company bidco limited with a 100% stake. The Alternative Parcels Company Limited is a mature, mega sized company, Pomanda has estimated its turnover at £126.1m with declining growth in recent years.
Upgrade for unlimited company reports & a free credit check
The Alternative Parcels Company Limited Health Check
Pomanda's financial health check has awarded The Alternative Parcels Company Limited a 5 rating. We use a traffic light system to show it exceeds the industry average on 7 measures and has 4 areas for improvement. Company Health Check FAQs
7 Strong
1 Regular
4 Weak
Size
annual sales of £126.1m, make it larger than the average company (£248.8k)
£126.1m - The Alternative Parcels Company Limited
£248.8k - Industry AVG
Growth
3 year (CAGR) sales growth of -2%, show it is growing at a slower rate (4.1%)
-2% - The Alternative Parcels Company Limited
4.1% - Industry AVG
Production
with a gross margin of 16.6%, this company has a higher cost of product (32.1%)
16.6% - The Alternative Parcels Company Limited
32.1% - Industry AVG
Profitability
an operating margin of 5.6% make it more profitable than the average company (4.4%)
5.6% - The Alternative Parcels Company Limited
4.4% - Industry AVG
Employees
with 767 employees, this is above the industry average (4)
767 - The Alternative Parcels Company Limited
4 - Industry AVG
Pay Structure
on an average salary of £26.8k, the company has an equivalent pay structure (£31.4k)
£26.8k - The Alternative Parcels Company Limited
£31.4k - Industry AVG
Efficiency
resulting in sales per employee of £164.4k, this is more efficient (£106.4k)
£164.4k - The Alternative Parcels Company Limited
£106.4k - Industry AVG
Debtor Days
it gets paid by customers after 26 days, this is earlier than average (39 days)
26 days - The Alternative Parcels Company Limited
39 days - Industry AVG
Creditor Days
its suppliers are paid after 21 days, this is quicker than average (27 days)
21 days - The Alternative Parcels Company Limited
27 days - Industry AVG
Stock Days
it holds stock equivalent to 1 days, this is less than average (3 days)
1 days - The Alternative Parcels Company Limited
3 days - Industry AVG
Cash Balance
has cash to cover current liabilities for 19 weeks, this is less cash available to meet short term requirements (39 weeks)
19 weeks - The Alternative Parcels Company Limited
39 weeks - Industry AVG
Debt Level
it has a ratio of liabilities to total assets of 29.3%, this is a lower level of debt than the average (56.8%)
29.3% - The Alternative Parcels Company Limited
56.8% - Industry AVG
THE ALTERNATIVE PARCELS COMPANY LIMITED financials
The Alternative Parcels Company Limited's latest turnover from March 2024 is £126.1 million and the company has net assets of £48.9 million. According to their latest financial statements, The Alternative Parcels Company Limited has 767 employees and maintains cash reserves of £6.7 million as reported in the balance sheet.
Data source: Companies House, Pomanda Estimates
| Mar 2024 | Mar 2023 | Mar 2022 | Mar 2021 | Mar 2020 | Mar 2019 | Mar 2018 | Mar 2017 | Mar 2016 | Mar 2015 | Mar 2014 | Mar 2013 | Mar 2012 | Mar 2011 | Mar 2010 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turnover | 126,087,940 | 124,729,261 | 127,423,045 | 134,611,632 | 113,486,781 | 109,499,358 | 105,814,409 | 103,172,564 | 102,355,525 | 98,834,258 | 88,652,669 | 75,130,231 | 65,758,712 | 57,939,484 | 52,509,045 |
| Other Income Or Grants | |||||||||||||||
| Cost Of Sales | 105,196,213 | 104,560,936 | 108,514,101 | 112,748,631 | 95,009,304 | 93,859,941 | 91,933,066 | 89,364,049 | 90,676,108 | 86,815,457 | 76,845,426 | 63,109,359 | 55,807,828 | 49,884,376 | 46,081,629 |
| Gross Profit | 20,891,727 | 20,168,325 | 18,908,944 | 21,863,001 | 18,477,477 | 15,639,417 | 13,881,343 | 13,808,515 | 11,679,417 | 12,018,801 | 11,807,243 | 12,020,872 | 9,950,884 | 8,055,108 | 6,427,416 |
| Admin Expenses | 13,826,731 | 13,290,833 | 13,389,363 | 13,197,611 | 13,752,627 | 11,066,096 | 11,188,250 | 10,497,815 | 8,976,876 | 9,259,740 | 7,960,312 | 5,963,305 | 5,447,127 | 4,608,916 | 4,357,927 |
| Operating Profit | 7,064,996 | 6,877,492 | 5,519,581 | 8,665,390 | 4,724,850 | 4,573,321 | 2,693,093 | 3,310,700 | 2,702,541 | 2,759,061 | 3,846,931 | 6,057,567 | 4,503,757 | 3,446,192 | 2,069,489 |
| Interest Payable | 12,128 | 34,519 | 95,318 | 142,888 | 183,219 | 325,996 | 420,422 | 343,000 | 326,119 | 63,100 | 92,156 | 60,524 | 57,819 | ||
| Interest Receivable | 666,891 | 815,550 | 561,528 | 560,421 | 51,353 | 35,565 | 9,607 | 13,548 | 13,350 | 11,928 | 11,778 | 8,321 | 11,346 | 6,906 | 3,495 |
| Pre-Tax Profit | 7,731,887 | 7,693,042 | 6,068,981 | 9,191,292 | 4,680,885 | 4,465,998 | 2,519,481 | 2,998,252 | 2,295,469 | 2,427,989 | 3,532,590 | 6,002,788 | 4,422,947 | 3,392,574 | 2,015,165 |
| Tax | -1,828,894 | -960,154 | -1,001,664 | -1,661,964 | -1,302,375 | -1,054,517 | -660,736 | -676,475 | -458,392 | -577,404 | -931,828 | -1,435,828 | -1,201,715 | -983,481 | -579,977 |
| Profit After Tax | 5,902,993 | 6,732,888 | 5,067,317 | 7,529,328 | 3,378,510 | 3,411,481 | 1,858,745 | 2,321,777 | 1,837,077 | 1,850,585 | 2,600,762 | 4,566,960 | 3,221,232 | 2,409,093 | 1,435,188 |
| Dividends Paid | 210,000 | 198,000 | 210,000 | 493,000 | 468,000 | 360,000 | 144,000 | 420,899 | |||||||
| Retained Profit | 5,902,993 | 6,732,888 | 5,067,317 | 7,529,328 | 3,378,510 | 3,411,481 | 1,648,745 | 2,123,777 | 1,627,077 | 1,357,585 | 2,132,762 | 4,566,960 | 2,861,232 | 2,265,093 | 1,014,289 |
| Employee Costs | 20,590,539 | 18,151,069 | 18,771,535 | 17,474,179 | 17,161,787 | 13,675,368 | 12,352,683 | 11,319,955 | 9,957,120 | 9,539,636 | 7,593,350 | 6,858,868 | 6,612,228 | 5,894,512 | 5,658,646 |
| Number Of Employees | 767 | 702 | 795 | 816 | 791 | 692 | 588 | 535 | 484 | 486 | 361 | 323 | 330 | 290 | 280 |
| EBITDA* | 8,893,160 | 8,681,249 | 7,412,808 | 10,470,356 | 6,565,987 | 6,404,350 | 4,558,952 | 3,345,892 | 4,366,708 | 4,150,166 | 5,267,514 | 6,820,416 | 5,298,407 | 4,256,815 | 2,834,121 |
* Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation
| Mar 2024 | Mar 2023 | Mar 2022 | Mar 2021 | Mar 2020 | Mar 2019 | Mar 2018 | Mar 2017 | Mar 2016 | Mar 2015 | Mar 2014 | Mar 2013 | Mar 2012 | Mar 2011 | Mar 2010 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tangible Assets | 17,493,180 | 18,726,974 | 18,983,919 | 20,589,458 | 21,057,195 | 21,868,325 | 22,689,152 | 24,101,064 | 24,724,873 | 26,070,158 | 21,642,514 | 20,245,344 | 8,628,171 | 6,144,523 | 5,754,253 |
| Intangible Assets | 259,479 | 331,539 | 378,116 | ||||||||||||
| Investments & Other | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Debtors (Due After 1 year) | 26,950 | 53,000 | 55,400 | ||||||||||||
| Total Fixed Assets | 17,752,660 | 19,058,514 | 19,362,036 | 20,589,459 | 21,057,196 | 21,868,326 | 22,689,153 | 24,101,065 | 24,724,874 | 26,070,159 | 21,642,515 | 20,245,345 | 8,655,122 | 6,197,524 | 5,809,654 |
| Stock & work in progress | 345,702 | 364,758 | 437,202 | 352,337 | 388,215 | 344,636 | 229,080 | 227,246 | 218,292 | 206,899 | 163,062 | 66,044 | 69,645 | 77,184 | 59,482 |
| Trade Debtors | 9,114,529 | 9,192,385 | 8,650,970 | 9,054,013 | 8,498,703 | 9,464,016 | 8,223,380 | 8,096,362 | 7,938,547 | 8,792,075 | 7,284,231 | 6,629,193 | 6,161,687 | 5,230,059 | 5,028,941 |
| Group Debtors | 33,200,272 | 17,158,680 | 16,640,841 | 12,301,664 | 9,269,861 | ||||||||||
| Misc Debtors | 2,019,958 | 2,287,059 | 2,287,490 | 2,001,108 | 1,513,995 | 1,431,689 | 1,715,106 | 949,193 | 378,780 | 472,679 | 414,213 | 309,900 | 296,648 | 228,757 | 173,567 |
| Cash | 6,740,414 | 15,770,724 | 11,142,157 | 11,603,096 | 3,344,830 | 8,159,928 | 6,793,181 | 5,037,606 | 5,874,558 | 4,255,946 | 4,156,772 | 5,210,031 | 3,863,723 | 4,602,311 | 3,248,676 |
| misc current assets | |||||||||||||||
| total current assets | 51,420,875 | 44,773,606 | 39,158,660 | 35,312,218 | 23,015,604 | 19,400,269 | 16,960,747 | 14,310,407 | 14,410,177 | 13,727,599 | 12,018,278 | 12,215,168 | 10,391,703 | 10,138,311 | 8,510,666 |
| total assets | 69,173,535 | 63,832,120 | 58,520,696 | 55,901,677 | 44,072,800 | 41,268,595 | 39,649,900 | 38,411,472 | 39,135,051 | 39,797,758 | 33,660,793 | 32,460,513 | 19,046,825 | 16,335,835 | 14,320,320 |
| Bank overdraft | 473,353 | 1,334,237 | 1,341,053 | 1,317,272 | 1,044,286 | 330,000 | 330,000 | 330,000 | |||||||
| Bank loan | 495,744 | 6,665,937 | 1,197,926 | 872,657 | |||||||||||
| Trade Creditors | 6,092,460 | 4,999,364 | 4,634,761 | 4,265,806 | 3,759,729 | 3,504,699 | 3,639,450 | 3,555,257 | 3,231,064 | 3,483,310 | 3,195,282 | 3,122,598 | 2,711,748 | 2,497,654 | 2,332,067 |
| Group/Directors Accounts | 6,741,627 | 8,000,000 | |||||||||||||
| other short term finances | |||||||||||||||
| hp & lease commitments | 31,830 | 95,456 | 203,371 | 238,078 | 348,356 | 437,343 | 357,544 | 124,108 | |||||||
| other current liabilities | 5,389,293 | 7,092,487 | 5,630,529 | 9,034,692 | 6,026,417 | 4,915,179 | 5,005,053 | 4,930,901 | 4,097,541 | 4,576,173 | 3,106,421 | 3,249,235 | 2,440,128 | 2,561,257 | 3,306,296 |
| total current liabilities | 18,223,380 | 20,091,851 | 10,265,290 | 13,796,242 | 10,259,499 | 9,754,115 | 9,985,556 | 9,835,260 | 14,089,998 | 9,460,780 | 7,412,438 | 7,764,475 | 5,919,219 | 5,746,455 | 6,092,471 |
| loans | 495,744 | 2,019,097 | 3,353,334 | 4,697,409 | 3,166,929 | 9,834,127 | 7,074,261 | 7,903,762 | 683,361 | 993,913 | 1,299,846 | ||||
| hp & lease commitments | 31,830 | 127,286 | 231,966 | 470,043 | 817,819 | 831,867 | 294,510 | ||||||||
| Accruals and Deferred Income | |||||||||||||||
| other liabilities | |||||||||||||||
| provisions | 2,069,918 | 1,756,162 | 1,574,066 | 1,339,019 | 1,204,317 | 1,060,653 | 1,687,761 | 906,299 | 842,567 | 848,915 | 623,063 | 135,930 | 7,083 | 5,489 | 140,475 |
| total long term liabilities | 2,069,918 | 1,756,162 | 1,574,066 | 1,339,019 | 1,700,061 | 3,079,750 | 5,041,095 | 5,603,708 | 4,041,326 | 10,810,328 | 7,929,290 | 8,509,735 | 1,508,263 | 1,831,269 | 1,734,831 |
| total liabilities | 20,293,298 | 21,848,013 | 11,839,356 | 15,135,261 | 11,959,560 | 12,833,865 | 15,026,651 | 15,438,968 | 18,131,324 | 20,271,108 | 15,341,728 | 16,274,210 | 7,427,482 | 7,577,724 | 7,827,302 |
| net assets | 48,880,237 | 41,984,107 | 46,681,340 | 40,766,416 | 32,113,240 | 28,434,730 | 24,623,249 | 22,972,504 | 21,003,727 | 19,526,650 | 18,319,065 | 16,186,303 | 11,619,343 | 8,758,111 | 6,493,018 |
| total shareholders funds | 48,880,237 | 41,984,107 | 46,681,340 | 40,766,416 | 32,113,240 | 28,434,730 | 24,623,249 | 22,972,504 | 21,003,727 | 19,526,650 | 18,319,065 | 16,186,303 | 11,619,343 | 8,758,111 | 6,493,018 |
| Mar 2024 | Mar 2023 | Mar 2022 | Mar 2021 | Mar 2020 | Mar 2019 | Mar 2018 | Mar 2017 | Mar 2016 | Mar 2015 | Mar 2014 | Mar 2013 | Mar 2012 | Mar 2011 | Mar 2010 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating Activities | |||||||||||||||
| Operating Profit | 7,064,996 | 6,877,492 | 5,519,581 | 8,665,390 | 4,724,850 | 4,573,321 | 2,693,093 | 3,310,700 | 2,702,541 | 2,759,061 | 3,846,931 | 6,057,567 | 4,503,757 | 3,446,192 | 2,069,489 |
| Depreciation | 1,709,104 | 1,695,180 | 1,835,693 | 1,804,966 | 1,841,137 | 1,831,029 | 1,865,859 | 35,192 | 1,664,167 | 1,391,105 | 1,420,583 | 762,849 | 794,650 | 810,623 | 764,632 |
| Amortisation | 119,060 | 108,577 | 57,534 | ||||||||||||
| Tax | -1,828,894 | -960,154 | -1,001,664 | -1,661,964 | -1,302,375 | -1,054,517 | -660,736 | -676,475 | -458,392 | -577,404 | -931,828 | -1,435,828 | -1,201,715 | -983,481 | -579,977 |
| Stock | -19,056 | -72,444 | 84,865 | -35,878 | 43,579 | 115,556 | 1,834 | 8,954 | 11,393 | 43,837 | 97,018 | -3,601 | -7,539 | 17,702 | 59,482 |
| Debtors | 15,696,635 | 1,058,823 | 4,222,516 | 4,074,226 | 8,386,854 | 957,219 | 892,931 | 728,228 | -947,427 | 1,566,310 | 759,351 | 453,808 | 973,469 | 253,908 | 5,257,908 |
| Creditors | 1,093,096 | 364,603 | 368,955 | 506,077 | 255,030 | -134,751 | 84,193 | 324,193 | -252,246 | 288,028 | 72,684 | 410,850 | 214,094 | 165,587 | 2,332,067 |
| Accruals and Deferred Income | -1,703,194 | 1,461,958 | -3,404,163 | 3,008,275 | 1,111,238 | -89,874 | 74,152 | 833,360 | -478,632 | 1,469,752 | -142,814 | 809,107 | -121,129 | -745,039 | 3,306,296 |
| Deferred Taxes & Provisions | 313,756 | 182,096 | 235,047 | 134,702 | 143,664 | -627,108 | 781,462 | 63,732 | -6,348 | 225,852 | 487,133 | 128,847 | 1,594 | -134,986 | 140,475 |
| Cash flow from operations | -8,909,655 | 8,743,373 | -696,398 | 8,419,098 | -1,656,889 | 3,425,325 | 3,943,258 | 3,153,520 | 4,107,124 | 3,946,247 | 3,896,320 | 6,283,185 | 3,225,321 | 2,287,286 | 2,715,592 |
| Investing Activities | |||||||||||||||
| capital expenditure | -884,958 | -402,119 | -1,120,762 | -289,439 | -2,838,055 | -12,363,641 | -2,794,347 | -238,509 | -417,869 | ||||||
| Change in Investments | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| cash flow from investments | -884,958 | -402,119 | -1,120,762 | -289,439 | -2,838,055 | -12,363,641 | -2,794,347 | -238,509 | -417,870 | ||||||
| Financing Activities | |||||||||||||||
| Bank loans | -495,744 | 495,744 | -6,665,937 | 5,468,011 | 325,269 | 872,657 | |||||||||
| Group/Directors Accounts | -1,258,373 | 8,000,000 | |||||||||||||
| Other Short Term Loans | |||||||||||||||
| Long term loans | -495,744 | -1,523,353 | -1,334,237 | -1,344,075 | 1,530,480 | -6,667,198 | 2,759,866 | -829,501 | 7,220,401 | -310,552 | -305,933 | 1,299,846 | |||
| Hire Purchase and Lease Commitments | -31,830 | -95,456 | -203,371 | -139,387 | -348,355 | -436,763 | 65,751 | 770,793 | 418,618 | ||||||
| other long term liabilities | |||||||||||||||
| share issue | |||||||||||||||
| interest | 666,891 | 815,550 | 549,400 | 525,902 | -43,965 | -107,323 | -173,612 | -312,448 | -407,072 | -331,072 | -314,341 | -54,779 | -80,810 | -53,618 | -54,324 |
| cash flow from financing | 401,655 | -2,614,571 | 901,263 | 1,649,750 | -1,267,318 | -1,041,560 | -1,547,517 | -5,698,361 | -1,959,630 | 2,464,676 | -619,540 | 6,728,859 | -325,611 | 411,242 | 7,142,869 |
| cash and cash equivalents | |||||||||||||||
| cash | -9,030,310 | 4,628,567 | -460,939 | 8,258,266 | -4,815,098 | 1,366,747 | 1,755,575 | -836,952 | 1,618,612 | 99,174 | -1,053,259 | 1,346,308 | -738,588 | 1,353,635 | 3,248,676 |
| overdraft | -473,353 | -860,884 | -6,816 | 23,781 | 1,317,272 | -1,044,286 | 714,286 | 330,000 | |||||||
| change in cash | -9,030,310 | 4,628,567 | -460,939 | 8,731,619 | -3,954,214 | 1,373,563 | 1,731,794 | -2,154,224 | 1,618,612 | 99,174 | -8,973 | 632,022 | -738,588 | 1,353,635 | 2,918,676 |
the alternative parcels company limited Credit Report and Business Information
The Alternative Parcels Company Limited Competitor Analysis
Perform a competitor analysis for the alternative parcels company limited by selecting its closest rivals, whether from the TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE sector, other mega companies, companies in WS11 area or any other competitors across 12 key performance metrics.
the alternative parcels company limited Ownership
THE ALTERNATIVE PARCELS COMPANY LIMITED group structure
The Alternative Parcels Company Limited has 1 subsidiary company.
Ultimate parent company
THE ALTERNATIVE PARCELS COMPANY LIMITED
02855735
1 subsidiary
the alternative parcels company limited directors
The Alternative Parcels Company Limited currently has 4 directors. The longest serving directors include Mr Mark Fletcher (Jan 2014) and Mr Jonathan Smith (Apr 2015).
| officer | country | age | start | end | role |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mr Mark Fletcher | 45 years | Jan 2014 | - | Director | |
| Mr Jonathan Smith | 65 years | Apr 2015 | - | Director | |
| Mr Andrew Taylor | United Kingdom | 71 years | Sep 2015 | - | Director |
| Mr Colin Rann | United Kingdom | 65 years | May 2016 | - | Director |
P&L
March 2024turnover
126.1m
+1%
operating profit
7.1m
+3%
gross margin
16.6%
+2.47%
turnover
Turnover, or revenue, is the amount of sales generated by a company within the financial year.
Balance Sheet
March 2024net assets
48.9m
+0.16%
total assets
69.2m
+0.08%
cash
6.7m
-0.57%
net assets
Total assets minus all liabilities
the alternative parcels company limited company details
company number
02855735
Type
Private limited with Share Capital
industry
53202 - Unlicensed Carriers
incorporation date
September 1993
age
32
incorporated
UK
ultimate parent company
accounts
Full Accounts
last accounts submitted
March 2024
previous names
dialmode (124) limited (November 1993)
accountant
-
auditor
BDO LLP
address
national sortation centre, blakeney way, cannock, staffordshire, WS11 8LD
Bank
BARCLAYS BANK PLC
Legal Advisor
-
the alternative parcels company limited Charges & Mortgages
A charge, or mortgage, refers to the rights a company gives to a lender in return for a loan, often in the form of security given over business assets.
We found 14 charges/mortgages relating to the alternative parcels company limited. Currently there are 8 open charges and 6 have been satisfied in the past.
the alternative parcels company limited Capital Raised & Share Issues BETA
When a company issues new shares, e.g. to new investors following a funding round, it is required to notify Companies House within one month of making an allotment of shares.
Click to start generating capital raising & share issue transactions for THE ALTERNATIVE PARCELS COMPANY LIMITED. This can take several minutes, an email will notify you when this has completed.
the alternative parcels company limited Companies House Filings - See Documents
| date | description | view/download |
|---|
