Plumbworld

Plumbworld is a specialist bathroom retailer based in the market town of Evesham in the United Kingdom. The company was founded by the current CEO James Hickman in 1999 and operates exclusively online. It was owned by the Grafton Group between 2006 and 2019, now back under the control of the original founder after a management buyout.

Plumbworld
Private
IndustryBathroom Retailer
Founded1999 (Evesham)
FounderJames and Anita Hickman
HeadquartersEvesham, England, UK
Key people
James Hickman (CEO)
ProductsBathroom
Revenue£33 Million (2018)
Number of employees
65+ (2019)
Websitewww.plumbworld.co.uk

History

Plumbworld was founded in 1999 by James and Anita Hickman. The company grew into a multi-million pound business within a matter of years. In 2006, James Hickman sold the company to the UK and Irish based company Grafton Group.[1]

In 2008, Plumbworld entered the power tools market for the first time with a new e-commerce website trading by the name of Toolbox.co.uk.[2]

2010 announced the launch of further e-commerce website this time specialising in barbecues[3] and wood burning stoves.[4]

In 2012 and because of ventures into various sectors in the home and garden markets, Plumbworld rebranded to Online Home Retail but continued to trade as normal.[5]

2014 saw Plumbworld venture into the world of television for the first time with the 'We Love to Say No' advert developed by The Market Creative. The project encompassed a 30-second TV advert as well as a direct marketing campaign to help with the re-branding and new website for the company.[6]

Current

In January 2019 a team led by the founder of the business James Hickman bought back the company from Grafton Group plc, a listed builders merchant.[7]

Awards

The company has been recognised nationwide and has claimed various awards over the years including the prestigious 'Top Ten Website' by Hitwise.[8]

Charitable Activities

The business has been involved in numerous charitable activities since being founded in 1999 and continues to raise money on a daily basis. Over the years Plumbworld have been involved in raising money for Sport Relief, Evesham's historic Regal Cinema relaunch,[9] and various nationwide community projects.[10] Plumbworld joined forces with The Heart of England Forest Project in order to plant more than one million trees.[11] The ongoing partnership saw 9.11 hectares being used to plant nearly 10,000 trees and the same again the following year.[12] The company have always taken responsibilities to the environment seriously and continues to support this important project.[13]

References
  1. "The History of Grafton Group". Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  2. "Plumbworld founder launches power tool website". DIY WEEK. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  3. "Plumbworld launch new E-Commerce website specialising in BBQ's products". Applegate. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  4. "Plumbworld Expand Empire in Wood Burning Stoves Website Launch". Tech Zone 360. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  5. "Plumbworld Ltd is Now Online Home Retail Limited".
  6. "Plumbworld Ventures into TV Advertising". The Market Creative. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  7. "Plumbworld Bought Back From Grafton Group". KBBReview. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
  8. "Bathroom Retailer, Plumbworld, Scoops Two Awards". PR.Com. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  9. "E-Commerce Giant Plumbworld Help With Evesham's Historic Regal Cinema Re-Launch". Digital Journal. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  10. "Help In The London Community Aided By The Plumbworld Team". Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  11. "Heart of England Forest Millionth Tree Planting". Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  12. "Tree Planting in the Online Home Retail Wood". Heart of England Forest. Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  13. "Plant a Tree with Plumbworld!". Retrieved 28 April 2014.
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