Credit Research Foundation’s
2013 Collection Productivity Index Results
The Credit Research Foundation (CRF) is pleased to provide the results and outputs of its’ annual
Collection Productivity Index study. Composite results witnessed a 0.30% increase (or improvement)
in terms of the impact of productivity on the collection of outstanding accounts receivable. It is also
critical to note that the 2013 outputs are a reflection of a record number of contributing companies. In
point of fact, the number of companies submitting information rose by 20% from 2012 and stood at
just under 500 individual submissions; again, this is the largest base of participation in the twelve year
history of this study. The broadening and growing base of contributors adds depth to the overall
findings and significantly enables the impact across the Major Product Classifications.
Similar to any benchmarking study of this type, the report and index should be utilized in conjunction
with other inputs and variables that are specific to your company and/or industry segment. They are
perhaps best utilized when measuring deltas, not only at the macro level, but specifically within the
four (4) and two (2) digit SIC category for your corporation. Said differently, the overall resulting
index, while clearly of value and indicative of discipline trends, can be influenced by year-over-year
participation levels and the specific mix of the same. For 2013, of note were the significant counts in
the Food and Kindred Products, Chemicals and Allied Products, and Wholesale Trade – Durable and
Non Durable Goods (both) segments.
As a reminder, CRF has defined collection productivity as the measure of the efficiency with which a
company's sales are collected, given the resources (human and technological) to perform the task. To
establish productivity growth or decline, CRF examines the difference between the percent of change
in sales per employee to the cost of capital investment in technology (currently fixed at 20% based on
the statistics in our broader benchmarking study), times the percent change in A/R per employee. The
result is the expression of growth or decline in productivity of the collection function.
In closing, I would like to extend a special note of thanks to all that are contributing data to this
annual survey, as your inputs enable CRF to continuously improve the depth and quality of reporting
to the entire community.
William F. Balduino
President
Credit Research Foundation
1812 Baltimore Boulevard - Suite H
Westminster, MD 21157
billb@crfonline.org
443.821.3000
2013
COLLECTION PRODUCTIVITY ANALYSIS
Copyright 2014 Printed in the United States of America
CREDIT RESEARCH FOUNDATION
1812 Baltimore Blvd Suite H Westminster, MD 21157
443-821-3000
The median change across all industries in sales per employee was an increase of 5.56%
The median change in accounts receivable handled by each collector was 7.10%
The overall median growth in collection productivity is
INDUSTRY GROUP
(2 digit SIC category - requires a minimum count of 2)
2013
Count
MAJOR PRODUCT CLASSIFICATION
(4 digit SIC category - requires a minimum count of 3)
Nonmetallic minerals, except fuels (14)
5.56
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
Median
Median
Median
Median
Median
Collection Collection
Collection
Collection Collection
Productivity Productivity Productivity Productivity Productivity
10
-3.08
-3.55
6.42
8.08
-32.57
3
2.04
--
--
--
--
Heavy construction contractors (16)
2
-7.88
--
--
--
--
Special trade contractors (17)
5
8.70
5.41
14.02
1.33
-7.54
Food and kindred products (20)
41
7.50
-0.91
3.98
4.32
2.03
Natural, Processed, and Imitation Cheese (2022)
3
7.28
--
4.29
--
--
Fluid Milk (2026)
3
14.60
--
--
--
-12.86
Prepared Flour Mixes and Doughs (2045)
3
8.43
--
--
--
--
Candy and Other Confectionery Products (2064)
3
7.50
--
--
--
--
Food Preparations, NEC (2099)
3
7.50
-4.65
1.12
--
1.53
Textile mill products (22)
3
4.28
4.98
1.02
13.34
--
Apparel and other textile products (23)
4
6.27
8.77
1.02
16.29
18.50
Lumber and wood products (24)
5
23.74
9.04
-6.77
19.42
-15.52
Furniture and fixtures (25)
4
-1.67
3.69
8.29
9.62
-19.23
Paper and allied products (26)
13
14.29
6.57
5.43
6.08
-7.02
Paper Mills (2621)
3
14.29
7.47
8.54
7.81
3.81
Paperboard Mills (2631)
3
14.29
--
5.31
--
--
Printing and publishing (27)
13
5.71
3.12
4.56
-1.66
-9.90
Crushed and Broken Limestone (1422)
Page 1
2013
COLLECTION PRODUCTIVITY ANALYSIS
Copyright 2014 Printed in the United States of America
CREDIT RESEARCH FOUNDATION
1812 Baltimore Blvd Suite H Westminster, MD 21157
443-821-3000
The median change across all industries in sales per employee was an increase of 5.56%
The median change in accounts receivable handled by each collector was 7.10%
The overall median growth in collection productivity is
INDUSTRY GROUP
(2 digit SIC category - requires a minimum count of 2)
2013
Count
MAJOR PRODUCT CLASSIFICATION
(4 digit SIC category - requires a minimum count of 3)
5.56
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
Median
Median
Median
Median
Median
Collection Collection
Collection
Collection Collection
Productivity Productivity Productivity Productivity Productivity
Commercial Printing, Lithographic (2752)
3
5.71
--
--
--
--
Commercial Printing, NEC (2759)
4
1.61
--
-2.47
--
--
59
2.76
2.86
6.23
9.98
-7.96
Industrial Inorganic Chemicals, NEC (2819)
6
-2.94
19.14
6.39
15.42
--
Plastics Material and Synthetic Resins (2821)
7
5.28
2.31
13.25
35.18
--
Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)
7
11.46
-3.45
-2.04
1.70
-1.61
Soaps and Other Detergents, Except Speciality Cleaners (2841)
4
5.59
--
--
5.50
--
Speciality Cleaning, Polishing, and Sanitary Preparations (2842)
3
7.41
--
--
13.35
4.02
Perfumes, Cosmetics, and Other Toilet Preparations (2844)
5
2.77
5.52
-0.46
9.98
--
Industrial Organic Chemicals, NEC (2869)
6
2.05
6.02
24.43
--
-3.18
Phosphatic Fertilizers (2874)
3
-9.42
--
--
--
--
Petroleum and coal products (29)
5
6.53
--
--
26.33
-6.47
Rubber and miscellaneous plastics products (30)
18
1.85
2.43
4.30
6.65
-4.19
Plastics Pipe (3084)
3
2.01
--
--
--
--
Plastics Products, NEC (3089)
7
4.62
-0.82
3.76
5.14
--
19
16.89
12.13
3.08
-3.48
-18.89
Concrete Block and Brick (3271)
3
2.04
13.12
--
--
--
Ready-Mixed Concrete (3273)
5
7.00
8.70
6.49
-2.35
--
Chemicals and allied products (28)
Stone, clay, glass, and concrete products (32)
Page 2
2013
COLLECTION PRODUCTIVITY ANALYSIS
Copyright 2014 Printed in the United States of America
CREDIT RESEARCH FOUNDATION
1812 Baltimore Blvd Suite H Westminster, MD 21157
443-821-3000
The median change across all industries in sales per employee was an increase of 5.56%
The median change in accounts receivable handled by each collector was 7.10%
The overall median growth in collection productivity is
INDUSTRY GROUP
(2 digit SIC category - requires a minimum count of 2)
2013
Count
MAJOR PRODUCT CLASSIFICATION
(4 digit SIC category - requires a minimum count of 3)
5.56
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
Median
Median
Median
Median
Median
Collection Collection
Collection
Collection Collection
Productivity Productivity Productivity Productivity Productivity
Primary metal industries (33)
8
14.02
6.04
26.98
18.50
-27.28
Fabricated metal products (34)
15
4.10
3.43
8.31
5.14
-19.23
Industrial machinery and equipment (35)
25
-5.54
7.15
10.68
11.46
-10.83
Pumps and Pumping Equipment (3561)
3
14.47
--
--
--
--
Computer Peripheral Equipment, NEC (3577)
6
-3.56
--
--
4.17
--
Electrical and electronic equipment (36)
14
4.90
4.15
5.02
7.21
-1.98
Transportation equipment (37)
2
14.37
25.02
19.97
11.54
-29.30
Instruments and related products (38)
18
5.84
0.48
4.63
3.18
-2.28
Process Control Instruments (3823)
3
5.41
6.60
--
2.19
--
Miscellaneous manufacturing industries (39)
8
9.18
4.52
0.12
5.14
10.61
Sporting and Athletic Goods, NEC (3949)
3
13.95
--
-1.11
11.87
--
Motor freight transportation and warehousing (42)
4
5.76
2.80
4.83
15.52
-6.34
3
4.59
--
4.83
19.56
-3.39
Transportation services (47)
2
6.44
2.70
9.45
--
--
Communications (48)
5
20.00
6.43
21.12
-1.68
1.98
Wholesale trade--durable goods (50)
78
5.25
7.27
8.41
8.44
-7.35
Home Furnishings (5023)
4
2.21
8.84
1.35
7.87
30.25
Lumber, Plywood, Millwork, and Wood Panels (5031)
7
17.98
25.62
3.81
--
--
Trucking, Except Local (4213)
Page 3
2013
COLLECTION PRODUCTIVITY ANALYSIS
Copyright 2014 Printed in the United States of America
CREDIT RESEARCH FOUNDATION
1812 Baltimore Blvd Suite H Westminster, MD 21157
443-821-3000
The median change across all industries in sales per employee was an increase of 5.56%
The median change in accounts receivable handled by each collector was 7.10%
The overall median growth in collection productivity is
INDUSTRY GROUP
2013
Count
(2 digit SIC category - requires a minimum count of 2)
MAJOR PRODUCT CLASSIFICATION
(4 digit SIC category - requires a minimum count of 3)
5.56
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
Median
Median
Median
Median
Median
Collection Collection
Collection
Collection Collection
Productivity Productivity Productivity Productivity Productivity
Roofing, Siding, and Insulation Materials (5033)
7
9.27
--
--
--
--
Construction Materials, NEC (5039)
6
2.32
10.83
--
2.86
--
Commercial Equipment, NEC (5046)
3
6.93
--
--
--
--
Metals Service Centers and Offices (5051)
10
-0.56
4.88
15.21
20.13
-38.11
Electrical Apparatus and Equipment (5063)
4
5.23
--
23.16
9.29
--
Electronic Parts and Equipment, NEC (5065)
5
12.50
-1.03
23.00
7.56
-15.37
Hardware (5072)
3
1.99
1.32
4.03
--
--
Warm Air Heating and Air-Conditioning Equipment and Supplies (5075)
3
8.49
8.12
15.92
7.50
--
Industrial Supplies (5085)
4
4.42
13.26
--
--
--
Sporting and Recreational Goods and Supplies (5091)
3
13.95
--
--
--
--
Durable Goods, NEC (5099)
3
5.48
--
--
--
--
51
7.41
7.32
6.70
7.64
-5.83
Drugs, Drug Proprietaries, and Druggists' Sundries (5122)
4
10.24
--
--
--
--
Men's and Boys' Clothing and Furnishings (5136)
3
6.27
--
--
--
--
Groceries, General Line (5141)
4
8.24
--
-0.62
-0.74
--
Dairy Products, Except Dried or Canned (5143)
4
6.14
7.32
--
--
--
Groceries and Related Products, NEC (5149)
5
9.55
7.83
--
--
--
Chemicals and Allied Products, NEC (5169)
5
-2.43
4.42
12.69
--
-12.04
Wholesale trade--nondurable goods (51)
Page 4
2013
COLLECTION PRODUCTIVITY ANALYSIS
Copyright 2014 Printed in the United States of America
CREDIT RESEARCH FOUNDATION
1812 Baltimore Blvd Suite H Westminster, MD 21157
443-821-3000
The median change across all industries in sales per employee was an increase of 5.56%
The median change in accounts receivable handled by each collector was 7.10%
The overall median growth in collection productivity is
INDUSTRY GROUP
(2 digit SIC category - requires a minimum count of 2)
2013
Count
MAJOR PRODUCT CLASSIFICATION
(4 digit SIC category - requires a minimum count of 3)
5.56
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
Median
Median
Median
Median
Median
Collection Collection
Collection
Collection Collection
Productivity Productivity Productivity Productivity Productivity
Petroleum Products, NEC (5172)
3
6.53
7.13
--
--
--
Nondurable Goods, NEC (5199)
3
5.48
-43.92
--
--
--
8
4.79
18.08
8.85
10.85
-12.11
6
11.02
20.97
14.02
10.85
--
Miscellaneous retail (59)
7
6.32
4.38
4.22
7.30
-9.32
Holding and other investment offices (67)
2
79.26
--
--
--
--
Business services (73)
16
-1.68
6.32
7.56
10.24
0.09
3
9.21
--
--
--
--
Miscellaneous repair services (76)
5
-6.73
11.89
--
5.77
--
Motion pictures (78)
3
7.05
--
15.34
--
-6.79
Health services (80)
2
4.66
--
--
--
--
Engineering and management services (87)
4
3.88
6.47
3.92
-2.41
-5.43
Nonclassifiable (99)
2
-1.54
--
--
--
--
495
5.56
5.26
5.44
7.78
-5.53
Bldg materials, Hardware & Garden Sup's (52)
Lumber and Other Building Materials Dealers (5211)
Help Supply Services (7363)
Total Sample
Page 5