BUCHAN FABRICATIONS LIMITED
🌳Matureactive
SC053927 · ltd · incorporated 1973-09-07
Investment thesis
Looks cheap but ownership + security both unclear — probable value trap.
Why interesting: Headline metrics may be attractive.
Why risky: No PSC visibility combined with multiple live charges; transacting likely slow and expensive.
🔒Estimated value
—
Upgrade to see
Turnover
—
not disclosed
Net worth
—
book net assets
Opportunity
53/100
Worth a look
What this business does
Primary activity: SIC 4525
Sector: Wholesale & retail
Investor take
Pass (distressed without resilience)Distressed admin-neglect survivor — structural issues outweigh the discount.
Opportunity 53/100 (worth a look), bankability 12/100. High owner-dependency — earn-out structure likely required for clean transition. 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: asset disposal / carve-out (80/100). Current lenders should be on immediate intervention.
🏦
Refinance opportunity
11 live charges · 4 lenders · oldest 50.2y
25/100
too messy
Structure is too messy for a clean refinance right now — clean up first or expect bespoke terms.
- · Oldest live charge is 50.2 years old — likely at or near maturity.
- · 4 lenders named — inter-creditor friction likely.
- · Legal-friction score 75/100 (specialist).
Data confidence
Overall: low (48/100)Sparse data coverage. Treat AI-generated outputs as preliminary. Manual diligence essential.
Company profile
address, 1 SIC codes, incorporation date
100
Financials
No iXBRL financials extracted
0
Lenders & charges
11 charges (10/11 with lender, 11/11 with type)
88
Directors & officers
23 officers (3 active, 23 linked, 16 with DOB)
84
Ownership & PSC
No PSCs filed (unusual — worth investigating)
35
Director network
2 connected companies via shared directors
51
Filing history
136 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
Opportunity Score
53/100Worth a look
PassWatchWorth a lookStrongExceptional
Mixed signal. Worth opening the full target workup before deciding to pursue.
Business quality
25
Concerning — overdue filings or status flags present.
Acquirability
85
Strong succession / seller-readiness signals.
Risk profile
30
Multiple red flags — proceed with caution.
Signal strength
100
Good data coverage for analysis.
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 (76 events)Click to expand
- 2025-06-12📄court-ordermiscellaneous · OC-DV
- 2010-03-16⚠️gazette-dissolved-liquidationgazette · GAZ2
- 2009-12-16⚠️liquidation-voluntary-return-of-final-meeting-scotlandinsolvency · 4.26(Scot)
- 2008-07-24📄resolutionresolution · RESOLUTIONS
- 2008-05-09📄accounts-with-made-up-dateaccounts · AA
- 2008-04-25📄legacyofficers · 288a
- 2008-04-25📄legacyofficers · 288b
- 2008-04-14➕ALLAN, Albert William appointeddirector
- 2008-04-14➖FERGUSON, Paul Edward Cochiese resignedsecretary
- 2007-10-12📄legacyannual-return · 363a
- 2007-06-06📄accounts-with-made-up-dateaccounts · AA
- 2007-03-07📍legacyaddress · 287
- 2006-10-09📄legacyannual-return · 363a
- 2006-06-12📄accounts-with-made-up-dateaccounts · AA
- 2006-05-08📍legacyaddress · 287
- 2006-05-08📄legacyofficers · 288a
- 2006-05-08📄legacyofficers · 288a
- 2006-05-08📄legacyofficers · 288b
- 2006-05-08📄legacyofficers · 288b
- 2006-04-30➕HOBDEN, William Philip appointeddirector
- 2006-04-30➕WOODHEAD, Alan Lindsay, Dr. appointeddirector
- 2006-04-30➖LYNCH, Jerome Paul resigneddirector
- 2006-04-30➖SKINNER, Duncan Ross resigneddirector
- 2006-01-27📄legacyofficers · 288b
- 2006-01-27📄legacyofficers · 288a
- 2006-01-01➖KEILLER, Robert resigneddirector
- 2006-01-01➕LYNCH, Jerome Paul appointeddirector
- 2005-10-07📄legacyannual-return · 363a
- 2005-09-07📄accounts-with-accounts-type-fullaccounts · AA
- 2004-12-22📄legacyofficers · 288a
- 2004-12-22📄legacyofficers · 288a
- 2004-12-22📄legacyofficers · 288b
- 2004-12-22📄legacyofficers · 288b
- 2004-11-30➕FERGUSON, Paul Edward Cochiese appointedsecretary
- 2004-11-30➖FLINDERS, Harold Derek resignedsecretary
- 2004-11-30➖BEVERIDGE, Ronald Gordon resigneddirector
- 2004-11-30➖CHRISTIE, Duncan Francis resigneddirector
- 2004-11-30➕KEILLER, Robert appointeddirector
- 2004-11-30➕SKINNER, Duncan Ross appointeddirector
- 2004-11-30➖SLATTERY, Timothy Mary resigneddirector
- 2002-11-25➕BEVERIDGE, Ronald Gordon appointeddirector
- 2002-11-25➕CHRISTIE, Duncan Francis appointeddirector
- 2002-11-25➖LAWRIE, Douglas George resigneddirector
- 2000-08-17➖BROWN, Graham Christopher resignedsecretary
- 2000-08-17➕FLINDERS, Harold Derek appointedsecretary
- 2000-05-26➕BROWN, Graham Christopher appointedsecretary
- 2000-05-26➖FARLEY, Andrew Daniel resignedsecretary
- 1999-09-30➕FARLEY, Andrew Daniel appointedsecretary
- 1999-09-30➖HENNIKER SMITH, Ian Maurice resignedsecretary
- 1999-03-17➖BAKSHI, Ashok Kumar resigneddirector
Showing most recent 50 of 76 events
Owner dependency
75/100
High — earn-out structure requiredMaterial founder dependency. Consider a 2-3 year earn-out and build in a handover plan before completion.
FACTORS
- +Long-tenure founder: Senior director has been in place 20 years — deep operational knowledge concentrated in one person.
- +Founder age: Director aged approximately 77 — succession pressure is live.
Succession & seller-readiness
78/100
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 77 years old. Natural succession window is now.
- secondary12+ year tenure: Director in role 20 years.
- secondaryStable-but-static management: Company is 53 years old and no new directors in the last 3 years — succession not yet being planned internally.
Red flags
2 high · 2 med · 1 lowAccounts overdue
highStatutory accounts have not been filed by their due date. Can indicate admin breakdown, cash preservation, or deliberate delay.
Evidence: Next due: 2009-10-31
2 insolvency-related filings on record
highFilings relating to insolvency, liquidation, or administration exist in the company's history. Review before proceeding.
Evidence: 2010-03-16: gazette-dissolved-liquidation; 2009-12-16: liquidation-voluntary-return-of-final-meeting-scotland
Has insolvency history
mediumCompanies House flags prior insolvency events. Review the insolvency filings for context.
Charge satisfaction-then-recreation pattern
mediumMultiple instances where a charge was satisfied and a new charge created within 6 months. Suggests active refinancing cycle.
7 live charges
lowHeavily leveraged with multiple live security positions — understand the capital structure before proceeding.
🔒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 · Automotive · AB postcode area| Company | Est. value | Turnover | Net worth | Staff | Age | Opp | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUTOMASTERS INVERURIE LTD→ SC570730 · est 2017 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 8y | — | — |
| AUTOVATION LTD→ SC734034 · est 2022 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 3y | — | — |
| BLACKBURN GARAGE LIMITED→ SC455822 · est 2013 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 12y | — | — |
| BOTHIEBRIG GARAGE SERVICES LIMITED→ SC625563 · est 2019 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 7y | — | — |
| BRIAN HENDERSON CAR SALES LTD→ SC745274 · est 2022 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 3y | — | — |
| C&P PHILLIPS LTD→ SC746736 · est 2022 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 3y | — | — |
| CENTRAL GARAGE (LAURENCEKIRK) LTD→ SC744393 · est 2022 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 3y | — | — |
| CJ AUTO (ABDN) LTD→ SC706363 · est 2021 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 4y | — | — |
| CLARK COMMERCIALS (ABERDEEN) LIMITED→ SC065454 · est 1978 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 47y | — | — |
| CNOC GARAGE SERVICES LTD→ SC766696 · est 2023 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 2y | — | — |
| COLIN'S FLEET LTD→ SC864756 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| CONNOR WILSON VEHICLES LTD→ SC834069 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 1y | — | — |
Peers ranked by estimated value, then turnover, then opportunity score.See all →
🔒Tailored diligence questions
12 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
Incorporated1973-09-07
Jurisdictionscotland
Primary SIC4525 — SIC 4525
Registered office
Mcgrigors Llp
Johnstone House
52-54 Rose Street, Aberdeen
Aberdeenshire
AB10 1UD
Filing status
Accounts
Next due: 2009-10-31OVERDUE
Last made up to: 2007-12-31
Confirmation statement
Next due: —
Last: —
Officers (3 active · 20 resigned)
ALLAN, Albert William→
Activedirector · ~60y · appointed 2008-04-14
View their other companies + combined net worth →
HOBDEN, William Philip→
Activedirector · ~75y · appointed 2006-04-30
View their other companies + combined net worth →
WOODHEAD, Alan Lindsay, Dr.→
Activedirector · ~77y · appointed 2006-04-30
View their other companies + combined net worth →
BROWN, Graham Christopher→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2000-05-26 · resigned 2000-08-17
FARLEY, Andrew Daniel→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 1999-09-30 · resigned 2000-05-26
FERGUSON, Paul Edward Cochiese→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2004-11-30 · resigned 2008-04-14
FLINDERS, Harold Derek→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2000-08-17 · resigned 2004-11-30
GILL, Douglas Fowlie→
Resignedsecretary · resigned 1997-10-22
HENNIKER SMITH, Ian Maurice→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 1997-10-22 · resigned 1999-09-30
ADAM, William Dickson→
Resigneddirector · ~84y · resigned 1990-06-30
BAKSHI, Ashok Kumar→
Resigneddirector · ~84y · appointed 1997-10-22 · resigned 1999-03-17
BEVERIDGE, Ronald Gordon→
Resigneddirector · ~81y · appointed 2002-11-25 · resigned 2004-11-30
CHRISTIE, Duncan Francis→
Resigneddirector · ~55y · appointed 2002-11-25 · resigned 2004-11-30
DAVIDSON, Ian→
Resigneddirector · resigned 1990-06-30
GILL, Douglas Fowlie→
Resigneddirector · ~77y · resigned 1997-10-22
HYSLOP, John Michael→
Resigneddirector · ~89y · resigned 1997-10-22
KEILLER, Robert→
Resigneddirector · ~62y · appointed 2004-11-30 · resigned 2006-01-01
KINNON, David Henderson→
Resigneddirector · ~75y · resigned 1990-06-30
LAWRIE, Douglas George→
Resigneddirector · ~68y · appointed 1997-10-22 · resigned 2002-11-25
LYNCH, Jerome Paul→
Resigneddirector · ~63y · appointed 2006-01-01 · resigned 2006-04-30
Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.
Mortgages & charges
11
Total charges
7
Outstanding
3
Active lenders
Status:Lender:11 of 11 shown
| Type | Properties | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| outstanding | Lloyds Banking Group The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC | Letter of agreement | 1 property | 25/02/1988 | — | |
| outstanding | Lloyds Banking Group The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC | Standard security | 1 property | 13/07/1987 | — | |
| satisfied | Lloyds Banking Group The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC | Letter of offset | 1 property | 02/07/1987 | 02/11/1988 | |
| satisfied | Unknown | Legal charge | 1 property | 27/10/1986 | 22/05/1985 | |
| outstanding | Lloyds Banking Group The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC | Standard security | 1 property | 16/06/1986 | — | |
| outstanding | Barratt Commercial Barratt Commercial Limited | Standard security | 1 property | 10/12/1984 | — | |
| satisfied | Lloyds Banking Group The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC | Letter of agreement | 1 property | 07/03/1983 | 13/12/1984 | |
| outstanding | Lloyds Banking Group The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC | Standard security | 1 property | 20/05/1982 | — | |
| outstanding | Thornbury Tranport Thornbury Tranport LTD | Standard security | 1 property | 20/05/1982 | — | |
| satisfied | Scottish Development Agency | Instrument of charge | 1 property | 13/03/1980 | 14/02/1985 | |
| outstanding | Lloyds Banking Group The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC | Standard security | 1 property | 20/02/1976 | — |
Click column headers to sort. Use filters above to narrow by status and lender.
Recent filings (136 total)
court-order
miscellaneous · OC-DV
2025-06-12
gazette-dissolved-liquidation
gazette · GAZ2
2010-03-16
liquidation-voluntary-return-of-final-meeting-scotland
insolvency · 4.26(Scot)
2009-12-16
resolution
resolution · RESOLUTIONS
2008-07-24
accounts-with-made-up-date
accounts · AA
2008-05-09
legacy
officers · 288a
2008-04-25
legacy
officers · 288b
2008-04-25
legacy
annual-return · 363a
2007-10-12
accounts-with-made-up-date
accounts · AA
2007-06-06
legacy
address · 287
2007-03-07
legacy
annual-return · 363a
2006-10-09
accounts-with-made-up-date
accounts · AA
2006-06-12
legacy
address · 287
2006-05-08
legacy
officers · 288a
2006-05-08
legacy
officers · 288a
2006-05-08