Why sector matters
Short answer: the same balance sheet means something different in construction than in business services. Capital intensity, project risk, seasonal influences and customary payment terms determine what is "normal".
What you need to know about each sector
- Average payment period and variation
- Number of bankruptcies per 1.000 businesses, and the trend
- Typical solvency ratio and margin
- Sensitivity to the economic cycle and seasonal patterns
- Collateral value: is there stock or equipment that retains its value?
Practical applications
- Benchmark your customer. A 22% solvency ratio is weak in retail and reasonable in a project-driven sector with low fixed assets.
- Set your standard payment terms by sector. Where 60 days is customary, insisting on 14 days only creates disputes without getting you paid sooner.
- Monitor concentration. Having more than a third of your receivables balance in one economically sensitive sector is a risk in itself, even if every customer is individually healthy.
- Watch for sector-wide warning signs. If the bankruptcy rate in a sector rises, reduce your limits in that sector before you see individual warning signs.
Sources you can verify
We classify businesses and statistics using the SBI classification and use CBS (Statistics Netherlands) Statline for sector figures such as business and bankruptcy counts by sector. Each publication includes a reference date, so you know which period you are comparing.
From figures to policy
Apply a sector factor to your standard limit: for example, ×1,2 for stable sectors and ×0,7 for sectors with a high bankruptcy rate. Document the factor in your credit policy and review it annually to keep your decisions consistent and explainable.
View the sector pages for the SBI sections we use, and request sector figures or a credit report below.
From explanation to a company file
- Check a company's creditworthiness
Combine registration details, annual accounts, payment history and insolvency information before doing business.
- Credit report: example and request
View a clearly fictional file, its sources and limitations, and request credit information.
Sources and scope
Examples and policy choices in this article are illustrative, not a current quotation, fixed standard or financial or legal advice. The editorial revision date relates to the summary, structure and source references; it is not a reference date for the underlying data.
| Primary source | What is it used for? |
|---|---|
| CBS (Statistics Netherlands) — bankruptcies, key figures | National bankruptcy statistics with reporting periods, definitions and explanatory notes. |
| KVK (Dutch Chamber of Commerce) — checking business partners | Company identification and checks on business partners. |
Source links support the topic mentioned, but do not automatically substantiate all percentages, time frames or examples in this article. Check current terms and rules with the responsible authority.
Request credit information with sources and reference dates
