C4 LOGISTICS LIMITED
Company number 04181710 · Monitor this company
This analysis was written by an AI from the company's public filings. It may contain errors or omissions and is not financial or professional advice.
Financial Health Score: A (Excellent)
C4 Logistics Limited demonstrates outstanding financial resilience and stability. The company’s balance sheet is dominated by cash, it carries minimal leverage, and net assets have grown steadily every year since at least 2014. All filings are up to date, and there are no signs of distress. This is the financial equivalent of a patient with a strong heart, clear arteries, and excellent vital signs.
1. Key Vital Signs
| Metric | 2025 Value | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Cash & Cash Equivalents | £4,185,739 | Very high – more than enough to cover all short-term debts |
| Current Ratio (Current Assets / Current Liabilities) | 4.36 : 1 | Exceptional – the company holds over £4 in liquid assets for every £1 owed within a year |
| Quick Ratio (Acid Test, no stock) | 4.36 : 1 | Identical – no inventory, so liquidity is purely cash and receivables |
| Cash Ratio (Cash / Current Liabilities) | 3.39 : 1 | Very strong – cash alone covers all obligations due within one year three times over |
| Debt-to-Assets Ratio (Total Liabilities / Total Assets) | 22.9% | Low – the company finances itself overwhelmingly through equity, not debt |
| Net Assets / Shareholders’ Funds | £4,146,406 | Growing year-on-year; compound annual growth of ~18% since 2014 |
| Retained Earnings | £4,096,256 | Positive and increasing by £149k in 2025, indicating profitable operations |
| Working Capital (Net Current Assets) | £4,145,699 | Large positive working capital – a strong buffer against short-term shocks |
| Employee Count | 28 (from 25 in 2024) | Growing workforce signals business expansion |
| Fixed Asset Intensity | £707 (negligible) | Asset-light model – virtually no capital tied up in property, plant, or equipment |
2. Diagnosis – What the Numbers Reveal
- Vascular Health (Cash & Liquidity): Excellent. Cash alone exceeds total liabilities, and the current and quick ratios are well above 3:1. The business can meet all immediate and short-term obligations without needing to collect trade debts or sell assets.
- Bone Structure (Solvency & Leverage): Very strong. Total liabilities are only 23% of total assets. The company has no long-term borrowings, meaning it is not exposed to interest rate risk or refinancing pressure.
- Heart Rate (Profitability & Growth): Healthy and steady. Retained earnings have risen every year since 2014. The 2025 increase of £149k (to £4.1m) implies a solid profit after tax, given no evidence of large dividends. Net assets have more than quadrupled since 2014.
- Circulation (Working Capital Management): Sound. Trade debtors (£1.07m) slightly exceed trade creditors (£0.87m), which is normal for a logistics company. The intercompany debtor balance has been reduced sharply (from £655k to £39k), suggesting improved group cash management.
- Inflammatory Markers (Risks & Red Flags): None detected. No overdue filings, no director disqualifications, no liquidation or administration proceedings. The company is fully compliant and has a single director with significant control.
3. Recommendations to Maintain or Improve Financial Wellness
-
Keep the Cash Buffer but Consider Deployment
With over £4.2m in cash and no borrowings, the company could explore low-risk income-generating investments (e.g., treasury bills, short-term fixed deposits) to earn a return on surplus liquidity. Alternatively, it could distribute excess cash to shareholders via dividends or share buybacks, provided future operational needs are covered. -
Monitor Trade Debtor Days
Trade debtors (£1.07m) represent roughly two months of turnover (estimated from the nature of the business and 28 employees). While currently manageable, the company should maintain rigorous credit control to avoid any deterioration in collection times – especially if the economic environment softens. -
Negotiate Supplier Payment Terms
With a cash-rich position, the company may be able to secure early payment discounts from key suppliers, improving profit margins. Conversely, it can also negotiate longer payment terms to preserve even more cash if desired. -
Review Insurance and Asset Protection
The negligible fixed assets mean the business is not exposed to property or equipment risks, but it should ensure adequate professional indemnity and liability cover, especially given its transportation support activities (SIC 52290) and cross‑border operations in France. -
Plan for Succession or Expansion
The company is controlled by Sebastien Barth and related entities. Given the strong financial position, it is well placed to fund organic growth (e.g., hiring more staff, expanding services) or to make strategic acquisitions without taking on debt.
Executive Summary
C4 Logistics Limited is in outstanding financial health: it holds more than triple the cash needed to cover all current debts, has no long-term borrowings, and has grown net assets steadily for over a decade. Its balance sheet is strong, liquid, and conservatively financed, with no red flags in filings or director conduct. The company can comfortably weather economic headwinds and has the capacity to invest in growth or return value to shareholders.