It's easy to get bogged down in the depressing economic data that just keeps on coming. But hidden under these miserable statistics are a range of opportunities that are becoming increasingly interesting to business buyers.
The latest figures from the Insolvency Service have revealed that the number of firms going into receivership, administration or CVA rose by 1.5 per cent in the second quarter of the year compared with the previous three-month period. This represents a six per cent rise on the same period in 2011.
One reason for the substantial increase in numbers is the failure of the Southern Cross group of care homes. A total of 156 companies within the group were declared insolvent in June, with 104 of these appearing in the figures for the second quarter. Without this boost, there would actually have been a drop of seven per cent in the number of insolvencies between the two quarters.
Brian Johnson, insolvency partner with accountants HW Fisher, commented: “Rarely have the numbers flattered to deceive more.
"The numbers simply aren't showing the pressure which has built up in the system, as thousands of companies bump along the bottom, kept alive only by low interest rates, and frequently by their owners pumping personal savings into them.”
Regardless of the situation with Southern Cross, the number of business insolvencies in the UK remains relatively high. This situation can only continue for so long and as economic pressures look unlikely to abate, any additional factor could tip many companies over the edge.
It's easy to see the problematic side of this for existing companies, but for business buyers with the foresight to innovate and improve, there are some very clear opportunities emerging out of the ashes of businesses that haven't been prepared to meet the new challenges. 
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