Toolstation

Toolstation is a retailer, supplying tools, accessories and building supplies to the trade, home improvers and self-builders. Toolstation has more than 400 branches nationwide, a website and a phone line. In 2014, Toolstation became a wholly owned subsidiary of Travis Perkins. Toolstation's Managing Director is James Mackenzie.

Toolstation Limited
subsidiary
IndustryRetail
Founded12 February 2003 (2003-02-12)
FounderMark Goddard-Watts
HeadquartersBridgwater, Somerset, England, United Kingdom
Number of locations
400+ branches in the United Kingdom (2019) [1]
Area served
United Kingdom, Netherlands, France, Germany, Belgium
ProductsTrade and home improvement materials including plumbing and heating, electrical and lighting, hand and power tools, painting and decorating and construction
Revenue £354 million (2019) [2]
Number of employees
3460 (2019)
ParentTravis Perkins plc
Websitetoolstation.com

Toolstation has a separate business operating in Europe. In the Netherlands, founded in 2006 and has direct mail and over 55 branches. In 2014, Toolstation expanded with a website in France, in 2017 a few stores were opened in the Lyon region. In 2016 and 2017 websites were launched in Germany and Belgium respectively.

History

Toolstation was formed in February 2003 by Mark Goddard-Watts, one of the founding family members of Screwfix Direct. It started life in a former petrol filling station in Clifton, Bristol and this original location gave the company its name. From the outset, Toolstation was designed to be a multi-channel retailer with an emphasis on convenience and reliability.

In November 2003, Toolstation opened its first Distribution Centre in Bridgwater, Somerset, and the second branch followed in February 2004 in the same location. By 2008, there were twelve branches in the United Kingdom and a partnership was created with Travis Perkins, which allowed Toolstation to open a further 20 branches. Every year after 2008 at least 20 branches were added and by December 2013 there were 146 Toolstation branches in the UK. In 2009, a dedicated retail Distribution Centre was opened in Redditch. Toolstation has been rapidly opening stores ever since with over 65 opened in 2019 and at least 60 planned for 2020. This has included newer format high street stores in addition to the standard larger retail outlets.

In 2012, Mark Goddard Watts agreed to sell his remaining UK shares [3] and in January 2014, as planned, Toolstation became a wholly owned subsidiary of Travis Perkins plc, a supplier of building products for over 200 years and a FTSE 250 listed company. [4] With the backing of the new parent company, Toolstation continued the rapid expansion of its UK branch network and opened another Distribution Centre in Daventry. The Middleton, Greater Manchester distribution centre opened in August 2018 [5].

References
  1. Toolstation Ltd, Catalogue 80, June 2019
  2. Travis Perkins PLC, 2018 Full-Year Results”, released 26 February 2019
  3. "Mark Goodard-Watts secures second fortune with Toolstation sale". The Telegraph Publishing. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
  4. "Wickes owner buys remaining 70% of Toolstation". Retail Gazette Publishing. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
  5. "Toolstation Opens its new distribution centre in Middleton". DIY Week Publishing. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
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