For a corporate supplier, high turnover can coexist with modest retained cash after freight, returns, rebates and operating expenses. Management should show repeatable margin and rotation rather than only sales growth. An acquisition or promoter exit also needs a separate completion budget and a continuing working-capital plan.
Focus on external cash generation and the amount available after the next supply cycle, existing debt and agreed adjustments.
Trade margin and cash rotation need separate tests
Distribution turnover can be large while retained cash is thin. Customer credit can outlast supplier credit while rebates and returns alter the final trading margin. Review supplier credit, rebates, returns and customer concentration together with debtor ageing. The facility should support a repeatable trading cycle after expenses and existing debt service. Borrowing that merely moves unpaid suppliers into another short-term liability may not solve a weak underlying margin.
Related-party sales need a transparent commercial trail
Inter-company invoices should be distinguished from independent customer collections. A group may show receivables between a trading company, warehouse entity and manufacturing associate. Explain the commercial purpose, payment history and movement of goods. Identify circular balances or sums that cannot leave the group. A lender-facing proposal needs a clear view of external cash generation so the same underlying receipt is not relied upon by several companies or counted twice.
A purchase price does not describe the whole acquisition
An acquisition requires a view of liabilities and operations on the completion date. A purchase of a distribution or supply business may include stock and debtor adjustments beyond the headline consideration. Separate shares, business assets, inventory and working-capital adjustments. Assess consents, continuing customer contracts and any debt that must be repaid or assumed. Acquisition funding should leave enough liquidity to run the business after ownership changes, rather than consuming it all at completion.