Member Article

Industrial tool distributor identifies Deeside as key reason for growth

A North Wales-based industrial tool distributor has acknowledged the opening of its Deeside branch as a key reason for its strong growth.

GE Tools, which launched its Deeside operation six years ago, has recorded a 100% increase in total company sales with turnover now exceeding £3m.

The business, which started in Rhyl in 1988, was keen to stay true to its North Wales roots when it looked to open a new branch and director Neil Coleclough admits Deeside was identified early in the process.

He said: “We are an ambitious business with plans to distribute tools and personal protection equipment across the UK.

“At the time of the Deeside branch opening, most of our sales were predominantly in North West Wales. A strategic decision was taken by the directors to increase sales activity and improve service levels in and around North East Wales.

“We were adamant we would accomplish this by staying in North Wales and Deeside provided the ideal location. It’s perfect logistically as we are close to all of the motorway links which allows us to offer a first class service across North Wales and the North West of England via our own fleet of delivery vehicles.”

GE Tools purchased its new premises at Deva Business Park 12 months ago, after outgrowing its previous site on Zone 1 of the business park. The firm has also seen its team grow from two to 12.

The company, which is celebrating 28 years in business, has also invested in its online presence with the launch of five niche websites also contributing significantly to its success.

One of those websites builds on GE Tools’ UK partnership with Guhring, a manufacturer of precision rotary cuttings tools and allied tooling for the engineering and medical industries.

It’s this approach to digital that Neil hopes will catapult the firm to be major suppliers of industrial tools and equipment across the UK.

“Our online presence is crucial and holds the key to us increasing sales both nationally and internationally,” he said.

“The partnership with Guhring is just one success story to shout about, and this continues to go from strength to strength.

Businesses seeking specialist tools and equipment want to place an order online and have it delivered in a reasonable amount of time. We have put the necessary steps in place to offer this facility to companies across the UK.“

For more information visit www.guhringtools.co.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sam Harris .