Thames Valley Water

[Gardian]

Now, let's be clear, things aren't good anywhere just now.  Only tonight, we heard from some friends whose son (in IT) is going to lose his job because the software firm he works for is going bust.  Sad & upsetting, but he isn't the first, nor will he be the last.

But I also heard on the News that the above company is making 300 people redundant.

Am I missing something?  Isn't this a monopoly utility, which serves literally millions of consumers in the SE and which cannot be under any form of revenue pressure?  In fact, in the current environment, it must be in the almost unique position of having a protected revenue stream + the ability to strike even harder bargains with it's suppliers.  Yet it is going to put 300 people out of work.

Shame on them.

[BJSLIV]

Bought out a while ago it's new ownership structure is probably debt laden . Despite low bank rates such buy-outs face greatly  increased borrowing costs.

Their revenue may be less secure than you might think. Industrial demand, such as it is, is probably falling off and domestic consumers are probably turning to meters andalso  showing greater reluctance to pay pushing up bad debts.

 

[Keni]

Check out who actually owns the company, as you many be aware many British utility companies are now owned by French and German companies!