Bit it's less good that in Fairline's case, this involves the company leaning hard on its suppliers to accept 90-day payment terms.

In spite of the company insisting all its suppliers are looking forward to leaving two months' money in the Fairline bank account, it appears not all are happy.

I know two that have told Fairline where to stick its lean manufacturing ideas. And I'm sure more would like to do that.

But it's an uncompromising situation. If Fairline doesn't get what it wants from its UK suppliers, there are Chinese companies willing to step in.

I feel very sad for Fairline's smaller suppliers. For many of them Fairline will be their major customer: all the eggs in one basket, so to speak.

Maybe lean manufacturing means leaner suppliers.

And what of the British Marine Federation's advertisement targeted at the consumer? Buy if they're a BMF member. Bye bye if they're not.

Hmmm. You expect a trade association to assure consumers they get a measure of security dealing with a member company.

But the ad copy says all BMF members are vetted. And this can imply a seal of approval on the products and services.

The BMF vetting process is more than a quick financial check. But I can see why companies that choose not to be a BMF member feel aggrieved that they are being labelled cowboys.

And we've all known some cowboy BMF members. Just as we all know some cowboy non members.

Surely the BMF could offer ad copy that avoided the insinuation that non-members are rubbish.