Family run tool firm, Draper Tools, launched its 2021 tool advent calendar earlier this year, featuring 24 doors of tools to open in the countdown to Christmas. With Christmas being the season of goodwill, the company pledged to donate £1 from the sale of every calendar to the charity Tools for Self Reliance. The calendar has been so popular that it raised £7,000, which was recently presented to the charity alongside an additional donation of £500, made in lieu of sending Christmas cards this year.

Draper Tools has a long-standing relationship with its charity partner Tools for Self Reliance. The charity collects and refurbishes hand tools and sewing machines for training projects in Africa, enabling people to learn a trade and earn a sustainable income. Since becoming an official charity partner earlier this year, Draper Tools has been giving its support with fundraisers and tool donations.

Fran Weeks, PR Manager at Draper Tools commented: “Recent times have been tough for so many organisations but especially charities, who’ve faced numerous challenges throughout the pandemic. When the time came to launch our 2021 advent calendar, we all felt it made sense to donate some of the proceeds to our charity partner Tools for Self Reliance, in recognition of the incredible, life-changing work they do. It seems our customers felt the same way – the calendar was snapped up in record time. We’ve been so happy to see the reaction to it and how it’s been helping people countdown to Christmas. We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who bought one this year.”

Lauren Smits, Fundraising & Events Officer at Tools for Self Reliance, commented:

“Tools For Self Reliance couldn’t be happier with the success of the fantastic Drapers Tools advent calendar and would like to say a big thank you on behalf of all the team here in the UK and everyone we work with overseas. The continued support from Draper Tools enables people in Africa to earn an income and support their families and communities – we can’t wait to see what we can do next as a charity partnership.”

The Draper Tools Advent Calendar 2021 received widespread media attention and was named one of the best in the national press. It even made its TV debut this year when it was featured on Steph’s Packed Lunch on Channel 4. The 24 doors of the calendar open to reveal specially selected tools that make up a 54-piece tool kit. Draper Tools has completely sold out of advent calendars, though any tool lovers keen to get their hands on one may still find a limited number available from local retailers and online sellers.

The team at Draper Tools send a huge thanks to the Troy members who bought calendars!

The Draper team recently presented Paul Goddard, the Trade Counter Manager at FG Lang’s, with a certificate and toolbox to celebrate his 50^th year of working there. This is an incredible achievement and what makes it all the more significant is that the Draper has been working with Paul and FG Lang’s all this time. It’s a relationship that’s lasted through generations and a fantastic example of what’s so special about working with Troy Members and independent retailers. Draper Tools is a family business and independent retail customers are very much part of the family. Draper celebrates successes and important milestones together with its customers, just as any family would.

Everyone at Troy sends Paul the very best wishes on this incredible anniversary!

With the increased interest in DIY and gardening this year, retailers could be in for strong seasonal sales. According to Draper Tools latest research, a quarter of UK adults say tools and DIY supplies are likely to be on their Christmas list this year*. That’s why Draper Tools has launched a huge new promotion for the festive season. The company’s Festive Deals promotion is packed with over 300 products at great prices offering everything from stocking fillers through to ideal Christmas presents for DIY enthusiasts, gardeners, motorists and tradespeople too. 

With Draper’s Festive Deals promotion, retailers can meet customer demand and get a great deal at the same time. By getting involved with the promotion, Draper Tools stockists have the opportunity to benefit from seasonal sales-boosting extras such as a digital toolkit with imagery and graphics for social media. For qualifying orders there’s also festive in-store POS available to dress shop windows and counters. Plus, there’s a printed gift guide available, featuring over 40 pages of inspiration to entice customers and encourage festive sales. To find out how to qualify for these added extras speak to your Draper representative today! 

Draper Tools has thought of everything with a whole range of products on offer that will appeal to a wide range of customers this festive season – from power tools that pack a punch, right through to smart, stylish garden essentials. Whether your customers are hardworking tradespeople, DIY enthusiasts, gardeners or keen motorists, there’s something to suit.  

Don’t miss exciting offers on the Draper D20 and Storm Force 20V power tool ranges, which each feature their own convenient, multi-tool battery system – where one battery system powers every tool in the series. These top-quality ranges are ideal to enhance anyone’s power tool collection, appealing to both new and seasoned DIYers. 

There are also great deals available on storage solutions to get your customers organised and handy household must-haves such as hex keys, LED torches and battery chargers too. Festive Deals really is a comprehensive collection, packed with products and support to help retailers on the way to successful seasonal sales.  

Speak to your Draper Tools representative for all the details on Festive Deals or talk a look at https://b2b.drapertools.com/festive-deals

*source Draper Tools survey, conducted by OnePoll August 2020, sample size: 2,000 UK adults. 

About Draper Tools:  

The family business that’s been supplying the nation with tools since 1919.  

Draper Tools is a leading distributor of hand and power tools. Established in 1919 by Bert Draper, the company is now over 100 years old and is still family owned and run today. Draper Tools prides itself on the range, quality and value of its expanding portfolio which includes over 10,000 quality products. Product categories include automotive, construction, engineering and many more. Draper Tools products are available through a wide range of stockists both online and in stores. For more information, stockist details and trade enquiries visit: www.drapertools.com. 

A statement from Graham Wade, Managing Director of Draper Tools.

I wanted to update you on how we’re adapting to the uncertainty of COVID-19.

As a family business, we’ve always taken seriously the health of our staff and customers. In these turbulent times, this has never been more important, and we are striving to do everything we can to protect us all.

Now, as ever, the entire Draper Tools team are working tirelessly to adapt to these ever-changing situations and make sure that we keep it business as usual.

We understand the challenges faced by our customers, so please be assured that we remain fully operational.

We have lots of stock available to supply all customers. We have a warehouse team that are ready and raring to go to pick, pack and deliver our tools. And most importantly, we wanted to do something to support you during these difficult times, so in the next few days we’re reducing our drop shipping fee from £6.50 to £4.95 (we’re just in the process of making the necessary adjustments to our systems to achieve this). In these times, more and more people are working at home and so this change will hopefully enable you to attract extra business with our carriers delivering directly to your customers.

Our carriage paid order values remain unchanged.

From the Draper family and I, we want to say a huge thanks to you, for your ongoing support. We are doing everything we can to ensure that we help you, your customers and our team through these unprecedented times.

We will continue to review our measures as the situation unfolds.

Thank you and stay safe.

________________________________________

Graham Wade

Managing Director
Draper Tools

If you haven’t driven your car for a while, or have only been making occasional short trips, you could find that your car won’t start the next time you need it. Draper Tools has launched a brand new range of Smart Chargers & Battery Maintainers to help solve this problem and stop you or your customers getting caught out by a flat car battery. The new range includes four different models that will extend the life of your battery. They’ll also activate, analyse and recondition your car battery, as well as being suitable for motorbikes, vans and caravans.

UK lockdowns have seen millions of us reducing and even completely stopping driving and this has led to an increase in flat battery breakdowns*. The situation is made worse in winter, as batteries can struggle in cold weather conditions. But there is a solution in the Draper 6V/12V Smart Charger & Battery Maintainer range (available in 2A, 4A, 6A and 10A options). These portable smart chargers will work with a range of 6V and 12V vehicle batteries and can be connected to a Lead-Acid or Lithium battery for a long duration without the risk of overcharging. This means you can simply leave them to charge overnight without worrying. Winter conditions aren’t a problem either, the Draper range of Smart Chargers & Battery Maintainers can all be used in temperatures as low as -20°C.

What sets this range apart from standard battery chargers is a special 10-step process that can analyse and repair your battery. The chargers can check the status of your battery and ensure it’s kept at 95-100%, with the voltage continually monitored.

And, what could really save the day, is how these chargers can even be used on deeply discharged batteries (aka a totally flat battery) – which can happen when you’ve left something on such as an internal light or headlights. By keeping a Draper Smart Charger & Battery Maintainer handy, you can totally avoid the need to jump start a flat battery with another vehicle. Thanks to the 10-step process, deeply discharged batteries are restored by repeated charging with small current pulses to rejuvenate battery capacity. 

The Draper Smart Charger & Battery Maintainer are an easy to use and cost-effective solution to keep batteries in good condition all year round – especially in the current climate where many of us are using our cars less and less. With prices starting from £29.95 – they’re a must have for any car owner.

Think the typical gardening enthusiast is retirement age with a large outside space? Think again. Draper Tools has surveyed the nation’s young people to get their views on gardening and it’s clear gardening is enjoying a renaissance among 18 – 34 year olds.

Night clubs out, garden centres in

The Draper Tools poll of 2,000 young people found that gardening has enjoyed a surge in popularity among 18 to 34 year-olds during lockdown.  83% of young people now describe gardening as ‘cool’ and 54% would rather amble around a garden centre than dance the night away in a club. The appeal is rooted in mindfulness, with a desire to make their homes and gardens a nicer place to be, to improve mental health, and creating a space they can escape to. It also emerged that gardening is so popular that young adults spend close to two hours during a typical week taking care of their beloved plants.

Kev Smith, Head of Marketing at Draper Tools commented on the findings: “The popularity among young adults is fantastic to see, we knew it was popular, but even we were surprised by the outpouring of love for it. There’s a tendency to think of gardening as an activity for older people, but this study proves that gardening really is for everyone, whatever your age. Gardening is a very calming activity, as well as a rewarding one – everyone can enjoy the benefits it brings.”

Shopping for the garden

The study found the most popular houseplants among those polled are cacti, orchids, and aloe vera, followed by basil, spider plants and peace lilies. Outdoors, the most common are daffodils, roses, and lavender, along with tulips, mint and hydrangea. While the act of gardening itself is one of the biggest appeals – it appears to be more than that. Two thirds (66%) also said they love shopping for gardening items – whether that’s plants, seeds, or tools.

When it comes to tools and equipment, some the items most likely to be on the wish list are garden gloves, a hedge trimmer and pruning tools. To date, those polled have spent £318.56 on such items – with 58% revealing they’ve spent more on gardening during the past 12 months or so than ever before. In fact, 56% said gardening is one of the things which has kept them going in the wake of the pandemic. But this doesn’t mean their interest looks likely to shrivel-up like an unloved plant – 72% intend to keep on investing in plants, tools, equipment, and more to fulfil their vision for their garden.

Garden size doesn’t matter

Carried out through OnePoll, the study also found 60% wish they had access to more outside space than they do currently – so they could be even more green fingered. However, 78% believe you don’t need a big outdoor area to experience the benefits of gardening. The most popular place to grow plants is on the kitchen windowsill, while living rooms, bathrooms and balconies are also popular locations for all things green.

Kev Smith continued: “Gardening is incredibly accessible which might in part explain its increasing popularity. Wherever you live, whatever your space, anyone can give growing plants a go – and we’re seeing more and more people embracing this. The transformative effect of plants on areas big or small is just one of many great things about having plants in your home – both inside and out.”

Support for garden retailers

Draper has all the tools to help retailers tap into this exciting new market, contact your Draper Account Manager to find out more or take a look at www.drapertools.com/sowmuchmore. Draper stockists will also be able to access more details on Draper’s b2b website.

The top ten tools on young people’s wish list:

1. Garden gloves
2. A complete set of gardening tools
3. Lawn mower
4. Hedge trimmer
5. Pruning tools such as loppers, secateurs, shears
6. Weeders or tools for weed control
7. Garden kneeler
8. Hand trowel or fork
9. Leaf blower
10. Spade or digging fork

Troy are delighted to announce that E.A. Martin & Son Ltd has joined the Troy group of companies.

E.A. Martin & Son Ltd is a family business founded and based in Kilrea, NI, which has been successfully providing hand tools and equipment to electrical, builders’, agricultural, plumbing merchants and hardware traders locally throughout ROI and NI for three generations. 

Troy, the largest independent network for industrial and engineering supplies in the UK, is headed up by Paul Kilbride, CEO. Paul commented;

“ E.A Martin & Son is a business that shares common core values with our Group and offers a great fit in line with our growth strategy. As part of the Troy Group it further supports our investment in the Northern Ireland based MOL Tools and Abrasives Ltd in 2021. The pairing significantly increases the group’s wholesale offering, allowing us to strengthen our position in the marketplace and further support our membership.”

Chris Taylor, COO of Troy said,

“As a group we continue to see large volumes of organic and acquisitional growth over recent years. E.A. Martin & Son is the first investment opportunity that has been realised since the BGF’s significant £15.5million investment into the Troy Group. With the addition of E.A Martin & son, our wholesale offering has been enhanced allowing us to further serve our customers across multiple sectors, and their changing buying requirements”. 

The Troy Group has invested in 17 businesses throughout the UK over the last 5 years, serving a wide and diverse customer base across many sectors, providing broad-line industrial consumables and PPE, Precision Cutting Tools and state of the art VMI and supply chain management solutions.

Lyle Pyper, Managing Director of E.A. Martin & Son Ltd said,

“We chose Troy because it has a firm foundation, built on family values, committed, and focused on supporting each customer in the growth of their business.

Being part of the Troy Group, E.A. Martin & Son Ltd can evolve to meet future demands through continuous improvement and development aligned to the brands represented and the customers we are so privileged to supply”.

 

Financial advisors to this deal were Dains (Rob Wilson) with legal advice from Gateley Legal (Mark Rutherford, Sophie Cahalin).

With lockdown restrictions across the UK easing from today, Monday 19^th July, we would like to wish all our valued Members, Suppliers & Business Partners the very best wishes and safe working for the weeks ahead.

Thank you to everyone that joined us for the Engineering focussed digital event on Thursday 29^th April, which was a huge success.  Troy’s very own business experts, business partners & ‘hosts with the most’, Richard & Wendy, pulled it out the bag yet again with another fantastic, action packed show.

Miss the show?  No problem!

Visit the ‘Events’ section of the members’ area of the website now, to catch-up on the latest news in the world of Engineering & Cutting Tools.

Featured in the Engineering Digital Event…

• Fantastic Special Offers & Product Demonstrations from Troy’s Engineering & Cutting Tools related suppliers…

• Troy’s Engineering Business Development Director, catches up with Cutting Tools Supplier, Dormer Pramet…
• Troy Group E-commerce Manager, shares top tips on how to get the best from data analytics for your website…
• The Team at Securious offers fast fix solutions on how to transform your cyber security…
• Safestock Solutions – Troy’s industrial vending provider, gives insight into how the Safestock modular systems can provide flexible, VMI solutions…
• Troy’s Purchasing Director at Troy talks Brexit, Stock Shortages & Freight Costs…
• EZ-Base UK Managing Director updates Members on the progress of the EZ-Base product data solution…
• Troy Manufacturing Group Managing Director, presents the manufacturing arm of the Troy Group. Want to know more?  Visit www.troymanufacturinggroup.com to book a site visit today.
• Troy’s Engineering Business Development Director, answers Members’ questions LIVE!

Members – please be sure to join us on Thursday 27^th May for our MRO focused digital event, for more fantastic offers, products & expert insights!

At the start of lockdown, as news of furlough schemes and uncertain futures began to spread, the team at Europa, along with many others were rightly worried. So when the government announced that they would be asking UK companies to make ventilators and respirator parts, we made a decision with a dual purpose; to help in the fight against Covid 19 we offered free tooling to any company involved in this manufacturing project, which in turn gave the Europa team a morale boost and a sense of pride that we were “doing our bit”. This was an offer of a package of tools to complete the job, not just free trial tooling. The only criterion was that the manufacturer must show proof of order for the parts before we supplied anything.

We have supported many companies with free tooling during this period, mainly with tooling for aluminium. Typically, we would receive a part drawing in the morning, our Technical Solutions Managers would make a process and tooling recommendation, a copy of the end users order and quantity list would be received in the afternoon, and we delivered the free tools the next day.

None of the details of the companies that contacted us have been kept on record as this was a truly altruistic offer and not intended for gain. However, if any of them contact us now we will of course put any business through their preferred distributor.

At a time when some suppliers were refusing to top up vending machines, or were unable to deliver next day as their stock is in Europe, it was a gesture that was well received by end users and distributors alike. Let’s hope that nothing like this crops up again in the future, but if it does we would do exactly the same thing every time.

The British safety industry federation has reported an area of risk around fake CE logos; Chinese Export logos masquerading as ‘conformite europeene’. 

What is CE certification?

To be sold in the European Union, a product must have a CE mark. The CE mark indicates conformity with health, safety, and environmental protection standards for products sold within the European Economic Area (EEA). CE marking applies to all products, ranging from electrical equipment to toys and from civil explosives to medical devices. If a product has the CE mark it does not mean that the product was made in the EEA, but states that the product is assessed before being placed on the market. 

European standards are in place for a wide range of PPE from protective clothing against chemicals, heat and flames, to head protective helmets, eye protection, gloves and safety footwear. Many regions outside of the EU are increasingly turning towards the CE mark to show that the product is up to standard and has been tested comprehensively.

If your product is certified it means;

The product meets minimum performance specifications defined in legally recognised standards applied throughout Europe.

A product has been subjected to a series of tests on physical characteristics and finished product performance according to application or protective tape

How do we know if the product is correctly CE certified or not?

All CE certified products should feature a label with everything you need

The info shown on the label should be very specific, this is a legal requirement. Each product type, whether it be protective gloves, glasses or boots has its own specific labelling or marking requirements.

Fake CE Logos

Sometimes, alongside the CE mark can be seen a code which represents the ID number of the respective Notified body needed for conducting the product’s certification.

The CE “Chinese export” mark can be seen on some, not all, products produced in and exported from China. The mark is with a similar design, and if you don’t know how to distinguish it from the real CE mark, it can look identical to you. As a result, y

ou can think that your product is CE marked and safe to use. The “Chinese export” mark is not an official European mark and is considered as fake. Many factories in China apply that mark on their products and afterwards, put them on the market. Such products haven’t had any risk assessment, safety evaluation, or testing. They haven’t been certified against the relevant CE standards, and their placing on the EU market is seen as an illegal act. As overall, products bearing the CE “China Export” mark vary in quality from being acceptable to completely dangerous in their design. A good example of products on which you can very often see this mark is the power supplies.

New legislation came about in 2016 evolving from a loose directive, outlining that responsibility lies with all ECONOMIC OPERATORS to comply with PPE supply chain standards.  The new terminology ‘ALL ECONOMIC OPERATORS’ now places responsibility for compliance throughout the entire supply chain manufacturer, wholesaler to distributor. To keep you compliant and your business away from risk, BSIF membership will provide spot checks of products and on site checks. Read more here

To read the Lakeland article click the following link – Lakeland CE Certification

We’ve been selected as a finalist for The Western Morning News Business Awards 2022 for the category, Large Business of the Year!

The awards pay tribute to businesses and individuals in Devon and Cornwall whose determination and success are helping to drive the region’s economy.

Watch this space for the results …

#WMNBusinessAwards

Research recently commissioned by leading power tools manufacturer, FEIN, has revealed more than two-thirds of metalworkers would like to advance their current ways of working by introducing new technology into their role, improving the overall productivity of the sector. While 37% admit their company isn’t doing anything to plan for a successful future.

The data also uncovered 29% believe new technology would improve the efficiency of the industry, with more streamlined processes likely to inform the decision-making process of new business for years to come. While 60% believe it’s important their company is investing significant amounts into digitalisation and half say it’s imperative their company has software-enabled intelligent machines rather than stand-alone hardware.

“Technology and innovation have been causing a buzz across the production sector for several years now. Traditionally slow to adapt compared to other industries, there has been a great period of change emerging in the metalworking industry when it comes to innovation and transformation recently,” comments Andy Mills, managing director, FEIN UK. “However, it’s clear there still needs to be strong investment in this area, with one-in-six stating there isn’t enough focus on the introduction of technology in their business.”

On evolving and adapting to change, the research found that:

• 79% say it’s important to adapt to the latest technology quickly with the talent and projects which can come off the back of these adaptions, signalling it’s not just investment in new technology that needs focus from the metalworking sector
• 64% claim they want the specialists who supply machines or tools to provide ongoing training and support into how to effectively use any new solution which is brought into the business
• 65% would like better training to improve their company’s overall efficiency
• 63% admit they don’t know what their company is doing to plan for a successful future

The research further outlined that over half of those surveyed believe companies in the metalworking sector had to be seen to be moving quickly, adapting to change and transformation, in order to gain the advantage over their competitors.

“It’s clear digital methods and technology will play a pivotal role in futureproofing the metalworking sector and will be integral if the UK is to remain a global industry leader in the space. Those who are embracing new technology will have the upper-hand when it comes to recruiting the best talent and securing the best work.

“There does however need to be increased awareness that integrating any new technology needs to be accompanied by significant training before they can be properly adopted. Without this, the level of time and budget wasted without proper insight into the way it works will heavily impact the return on investment. For this very reason, we recently adapted our global strategy to provide more hands on training for our tools, ensuring end users are utilising them as effectively as possible,” concludes Andy.

To find out more and to download the full ‘future of the metalworking sector’ report, visit https://www.fein.com/en_uk/knowledge/metalworking-sector-report/.

Dated: August 2021

52% of metalworkers have admitted they believe the tools they’re using aren’t ‘fit for purpose,’ according to research recently commissioned by power tools and accessories manufacturer, FEIN.

FEIN’s ethos is very much rooted in providing solutions for end users. The foundation of each and every one of its power tools has been manufactured with efficiency and reliability firmly front of mind, to help resolve the everyday problems those in the metalworking sector face. For this very reason, the manufacturer commissioned the research to really delve into the issues the industry is facing, while gaining insight into the pain points of end users.

The research also uncovered that 72% believe if they had access to better tools, the time it takes to complete a job would be reduced significantly – meaning increased efficiency and, in turn, more profits for businesses operating in the sector.

Furthermore, on average, 32% are having to change their tools every one-two years, with as many as 20% having to renew their tools every four-six months. With 11,100 companies operating in the sector, this could be resulting in a significant level of unnecessary spend across the industry annually.

“At FEIN, we’re committed to supporting those across the metalworking sector who are struggling to find tools that effectively work for the job in hand,” comments Andy Mills, managing director, FEIN UK. “Since launching over 150 years ago, our primary goal has been to listen to those working across the industry and to provide them with a solution to the everyday problems they’re facing, by ensuring they have access to reliable tools that help complete jobs with the utmost efficiency.”

On the complexity of the tools being used across the metalworking industry, 35% say the tools they’re usually provided with by their employer are too complicated to use and they aren’t supported with adequate training upon them being implemented into the business. While just 13% of respondents indicated their company consulted a specialist to solve the more complex problems which require advanced tools – in turn resulting in a loss of revenue for the business, as well as mistakes and poor-quality results.

On improving efficiency across the metalworking sector, the research uncovered that:

• 65% would like better training
• 42% are calling for more funding
• 39% would like better quality tools
• 35% asked for better tool accessories
• 29% would like to see the introduction of new technology

“The development of high-quality, innovative tools, supported by structured training programs for users is an essential element in driving efficiency. Specialist tool manufacturers can be instrumental in creating new techniques and improving workflows, and should be encouraged to provide quality training to both the distributors that supply those tools and the end users,” adds Jim Chadwick, group purchasing director, Troy UK.

“Meeting with end users and understanding their applications at work, while providing them with in depth training has always been rooted in our strategy, so it’s great to see the research confirm our approach aligns with exactly what metalworkers are looking for – with 65% admitting they would like better training. However, as just 13% admit their company consulted a specialist to solve the more complex problems which require advanced tools, we are more committed than ever to ensuring we are speaking to end users, understanding their pain points and helping them to get the best out of their tools,” continues Andy.

Upon being questioned about ways to improve, the vast majority (83%) of those surveyed argued that they’d rather have their employer seek out tools which will support the business in the long-term, as opposed to being given a tool that’s only going to provide a short-term fix and may have to be replaced again just a few months down the line.

“The research solidified the fact that the industry shouldn’t be looking to a quick fix when it comes to providing efficient and reliable tools. It really is crucial for businesses to seek expert insight into the right tools that will work for the job in hand from manufacturers, to save both time and money in the long run,” concludes Andy.

To find out more and to download the full ‘future of the metalworking sector’ report, visit https://www.fein.com/en_uk/knowledge/metalworking-sector-report/.

Thursday 15th October at 1.00pm 

Learn where and how to market your business in challenging times. Understand the impact of marketing which empathises with your customers and prospects. Build marketing strategies which will overcome any fears of a downturn and offer confidence in what you do and sell. You’ll learn:

1. How to gain trust in the market place
2. The customer journey
3. Being the expert
4. The power of blogging
5. How to make content memorable.

Webinar run by Steve Gaskell of Action Coach. 

Register for the webinar here 

Fulham Football Club is delighted to welcome Teng Tools as its Official Hand Tools Partner for the next three seasons.

Teng Tools, a global provider of hand tools and smart storage solutions, has partnered with Fulham FC to further enhance their brand awareness to a worldwide audience.

Teng Tools will have the opportunity to work with the Club to deliver promotional campaigns taking in everything from CSR initiatives with the Fulham FC Foundation, to creating cobranded special edition trade products.
Further through the partnership, Teng Tools will receive significant visibility through advertising on the in-game LED as well across the club’s digital and social platforms during the term of the partnership, in addition to significant global exposure from the club’s participation in the Premier League.

Daniel King Managing Director Teng Tools UK & Ireland said “Teng Tools is delighted to announce the partnership with Fulham Football Club, we see similar values within the club and what we stand for as a brand in the hand tools market here in the UK and further afield. We are fully behind Claudio Ranieri and the Fulham team to get the points they need over the coming months” Casper Stylsvig Fulham FC CRO added

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Teng Tools, a creative and innovative brand. We feel that they are the perfect match for Fulham FC sharing a number of our principles. We look forward to working with them to achieve their marketing and activation objectives during the partnership.”

With the new data protection regulation being enforced on Friday, we’ve also done our bit and have published a privacy notice to make it easier for you to find out how we use and protect your data within the Troy Group. 

View our Privacy Policy here

Draper Tools has been hard at work over the last two years developing several new and improved electrician’s essentials. Its brand new XP1000 VDE hand tool range is out now and set to offer strong sales opportunities for retailers.  

Introducing XP1000 

Draper is proud to unveil the XP1000 range of VDE hand tools, which is tested to 10,000V and suitable for use on AC circuits up to 1,000V and DC circuits up to 1,500V. Fully compliant to EN60900 standards, the range features 21 new VDE pliers with tethered options and 55 VDE screwdrivers, including slimline. This is a comprehensive series of hand tools designed to see electricians through a variety of jobs throughout their electrical careers. XP1000 also includes must-have sets of pliers and screwdrivers. 

Phil Rowley, Sales Director at Draper Tools, commented on the launch “Our VDE range of hand tools is really important to us as a business. We’ve offered a good solid range for many years, but we were keen to up our game and home in on what electricians really needed from us. So we listened to feedback, worked with key figures in the industry and spent a long time researching and developing XP1000. It’s been a big investment for us, but we’re confident this is a range electricians will love. It’s reliable, comfortable, safe and comes with our Draper Expert Lifetime Warranty too.” 

Approved by the experts 

Draper carried out pre-launch testing of the XP1000 range with a small but diverse panel of electricians. They put the range to the test on various real-life jobs over a two-week period and reported their findings. The results were encouraging, with over 85% of them saying they’d recommend XP1000 to others in the trade. Three-quarters of the testers said XP1000 was a range they’d buy more from in the future and all agreed Draper Tools was a brand they trusted.   

The company also took time to really get to know the people in the electrical sector with research exploring the highs and lows of the trade. According to the study, the love electricians have for their tools is very real. In fact, “getting to use tools every day” was voted one of the top three parts of the job. A quarter of the electricians said they get a sense of satisfaction from adding to their tool collection. And around one in six admitted they get enjoyment from simply sitting back and admiring their tools, making the tools of the trade a key appeal of the job.  

There are several impressive features in Draper’s new range that electricians will really like. Both the screwdrivers and pliers feature TPE extra-comfort handles and chemically blackened anti-glare finish. The slimline screwdrivers are excellent for getting to hard-to-reach areas and make a very handy addition to an electrician’s tool kit. The screwdrivers also feature a dual-layer “insulation warning” blade sheath for safety and peace of mind.   

Draper’s new comprehensive collection of tethered pliers is a real highlight too and set to be one of the biggest ranges of tethered VDE hand tools on the market.  

See sales surge with XP1000 

Draper will be supporting its retail partners all the way on XP1000, with competitive pricing and eye-catching merchandising options for stores. The bold designs and wide range of XP1000 merchandising materials promise to offer something to suit all display formats and spaces. The company is also working with several high-profile influencers and investing in widespread advertising to build awareness of XP1000 and drive demand to stockists.  

XP1000 completes Draper’s existing range of essentials for electricians, which includes cable knives, crimping tools, pipe cutters, plasterboard saws, plunge cutting blades, hacksaws and even a Wi-Fi endoscope. But the company isn’t stopping there. Rowley explained: “We will be continually adding to XP1000 with high-quality tools designed specifically for the sector. We’re focusing on what electricians need more than ever before, with a lot of big plans in the pipeline. We’ve already got several new ideas under development. Watch this space!”  

Find out more about the XP1000 range at drapertools.com/XP1000. Current Draper stockists can also speak to their Area Sales Manager.  

Bisley Workwear was built to get the job done and has been supporting tradesman with durable, functional and comfortable garments for over 60 years. Bisley understands the UK trades professional needs easy access to their tools and has designed a holster pocket range that gives you the ability to carry what you need and have it accessible when you need it. Whether you are up high or down low, the convenience of having everything on your belt cannot be underestimated.

BSA Brands (the licensee of Bisley Workwear to the UK) is launching Bisley Workwear’s brand-new range of Holster Tool Pocket Trousers and Shorts exclusive to the United Kingdom.

Following the successful launch of the workwear brand into the UK mid 2019, it was quickly established that the Flex & Move Knee Pocket Trousers were the most popular product in the launch range. But there was one thing missing that is specific to the UK Tradesman, the holster pocket! Listening to the market, Bisley Workwear’s designers got to work and created a custom-made pair of trousers and shorts with functional, stylish and durable holster tool pockets.

The holster pockets are fixed to the waistband for easy access to tools, with the holster pockets easily tucking away into the angled side pockets for added versatility. With room for all your tools the pockets are reinforced with Cordura highlights to protect the material from rips and tears that may be caused by sharp objects.

BSA Brands are giving away a free Bisley Workwear stretch webbing belt valued at £19.95 with every holster pocket purchase. (While stocks last).

Durable

The Flex & Move^TM range has been designed to withstand the toughest of jobs. The trousers feature a strong crotch gusset to prevent crotch splitting, Kevlar® knee patches for increased durability, and tough Cordura® reinforcements in all the right places. Made from cotton, these unique heavily interlocked fibers ensure durability and longevity in all working conditions

Flexible

Made from cotton with generous stretch, the reduced tension assists with durability, comfort and shape maintenance. The Flex & Move^TM range is made to move with you. 

Comfortable

Every Flex & Move^TM garment is prewashed to ensure it is comfortable from the very first wear. Breathable cotton keeps you feeling fresh and comfortable throughout the day and is less likely to irritate your skin.

The Holster Pocket range is now available at all leading stockists. Find your nearest stockist by visiting www.bisleyworkwear.co.uk

BSA Brands (UK) is a member of the BSIF’s registered safety supplier’s membership scheme.

In early September BEIS / OPSS published version 6 of Guidance on applying the easement to the conformity assessment of PPE and placing product on the UK market in the context of Covid 19.

In the last few days they have published a 7th version of the Guidance for high volume manufacturers of PPE. You can download this at https://www.bsif.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Guidance-for-businesses-high-volume-manufacture-of-ppe-version-7.pdf

The amendments can be found in section 10.

In a similar vein, a 4th version of the Guidance for small scale manufacturers has also been published reflecting the same modest amendments. This document can also be downloaded at https://www.bsif.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Guidance-for-businesses-and-individuals-small-scale-manufacture-of-ppe-version-4.pdf

Simultaneous to the rebranding efforts, the company is establishing a subsidiary as its European headquarters called Koki Holdings Europe GmbH in the suburbs of Dusseldorf, Germany to reflect the strategic importance of the European market. The subsidiary will commence operations in November 2017, and will serve to carry out the parent company’s activities in Europe, with the aim to be closer to our customers to facilitate faster decision making in managing their needs.

“We have delivered award-winning innovation in manufacturing with solid business performance for over 70 years, and now is the time for us to focus on expansion as a truly global company while remaining rooted to our Japanese tradition,” said Osami Maehara, President, Hitachi Koki. “We have fully committed to accelerate growth alongside a dynamic new partner in KKR as we pursue our goal to become a global leader in power tools and life-science instruments. We have set an aggressive sales target of US$2.7 billion in fiscal year 2020. We are confident we can take our business to the next level with the support of all our employees and partners worldwide, and the revamping of the brand name is the first step to making this possible. We look forward to continuing to build a brand that exceeds the expectations of discerning customers around the world.”

The HiKOKI brand was created to embody the three core competencies of the company, including its innovative technologies that give rise to products with superior performance, the reliability of its products and services backed by a 70-year company history, and the potential for new business growth represented through the new partnership with KKR. For ease of pronunciation, the new brand name uses a lowercase “i” in its first syllable, and includes the implicit numeral “1” to express our commitment to providing our customers with the “No. 1” products on the market, and our aim to achieve “No. 1” global status.

 The new corporate name, Koki Holdings Co., Ltd., is designed to maintain continuity with our current name, while also reflecting the multiple brands it encompasses around the world, and accelerate our investment in acquisitions to expand our global business.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has written to fabricated metal businesses across GB to check that they are managing the risks of welding fumes and metalworking fluids.

The Health and Safety Executive has written to fabrication metal businesses across Great Britain to check that they are managing the possible risks associated with welding fumes and metalworking fluids – this is aimed at minimising and managing the risks of respiratory diseases amongst workers.

The HSE are planning to visit all the main metal fabrication businesses between May and September 2021 to ensure compliance of the 2019 Weld Fume Reclassification.

So, what can you do to prepare for these inspections? 

Before the fabricated metal inspections takes place, HSE will provide you access to various resources to help manage potential risks and help business owners prepare for an inspection. These campaigns provide you with information on health risks related to wielding fumes which can cause cancer and metalworking fluids which can lead to occupational asthma. 

You can head to the HSE website below to find out more information today!

A message from our colleagues at The British Safety Industry Federation;

In June this year, during the height of the flood of non – compliant PPE coming into the UK, we wrote highlighting the safety alert from the HSE on face masks designated as KN95. These are not to be bought or sold as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

After a period where the problem appeared to settle down, we are now seeing an ever increasing amount of the potentially unsafe KN95 product again being offered for sale.

We are taking the opportunity to re send the bulletin information and ask you to be vigilant ensuring that only safe and appropriately conformity assessed product is offered for sale.

Please continue to feedback any examples you have where PPE offered for sale does not comply with the regulations. We will share this information with the Market Surveillance Authorities.

Please feel free to share this with your customers.
Below is the text and links from the June Bulletin.

Best wishes and stay safe
Alan Murray

Please find below an HSE Safety Alert, warning against the use and supply of KN95 for use at work, as personal protective equipment.

HSE state that “this respirator has been identified as suspect by HSE experts and locally arranged testing has confirmed they would not meet requirements, including to protect against the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.” About 90% of the PPE concerns and queries currently being received by HSE involve KN95 masks which are often accompanied by fake or fraudulent paperwork.

HSE has quarantined around 1.5 million KN95 masks, prevented 25 million items claiming to be FFP3 respirators entering the supply chain and prevented a further four lines consisting of many millions of items entering the supply chain.

Rick Brunt, HSE’s director of operational strategy said: “The KN95 facemask should not be purchased or used.

Sincerely
Alan Murray

HSE Bulletin: Use of face masks designated KN95

UK manufacturers, their business customers and importers of plastic packaging, and consumers who buy plastic packaging or goods in plastic packaging in the UK are all likely to be affected.

For more information visit:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/plastic-packaging-tax#prepare-for-plastic-packaging-tax

Thank you to all of the Suppliers that put forward a product for the 2022 Innovation Award.  Competition was incredibly tough this year which made shortlisting & judging a real challenge.  

We are delighted that the Troy Young Professional Panel comprising apprentice and qualified engineers – Jordanna Broom of Exeter University,  Jack Orbell of Express Weldcare, Chris Revell of Dyson and Sashen Naidoo of Jaguar Land Rover – stepped up and judged, alongside Troy’s very own Richard Pymm, Sales Director.

After much deliberation a final fair & objective decision was made and the results were announced at the evening Gala Dinner … Drumroll please! 

**WINNER**

Toughbuilt, with their Utility Multi-Purpose Knife/Scraper 

&

**HIGHLY COMMENDED**

Stanley, Black & Decker with their Dewalt PowerStack 

Many congratulations from everyone at Troy!!! We’ll be in touch with everyone that took part and share content created on the day for your marketing purposes.

Shortlisted products judged at TMB 2022

1. Advent Tools – Komelon 8m / 26ft LED Light Tape Measure
2. Bosch – EXPERT Starlock Multi Material Coated Carbide Plunge Saw Blade
3. Buckbootz – Bang Guardz Ankle Protect Boots
4. Makita – Cordless Pressure Washer DHW080ZK
5. Makita – Cordless Kettle DKT360Z
6. Moldex – TouchFree Station Earplug Dispenser
7. Presto – Quick Core Hole Saw System
8. Regatta Professional – ‘Honestly Made’ Clothing Range
9. Stanley, Black & Decker – Dewalt PowerStack **HIGHLY COMMENDED**
10. Toughbuilt – Utility Multi-purpose Knife/Scraper **WINNER**
11. U-Power – Carbon Neutral U-Green Industry Footwear

Today, we are pleased to announce the official launch of CarbonImpact, a carbon emissions reporting tool designed to empower businesses in their journey toward environmental sustainability. Developed by Applegate in collaboration with the University of Exeter, CarbonImpact is set to revolutionise the way organisations measure, track, and reduce their carbon footprint.

The urgency of climate change has never been more apparent, and businesses play a pivotal role in achieving global net-zero emissions by 2050. CarbonImpact offers a simple yet powerful solution for businesses of all sizes to understand their environmental impact and take steps towards reducing their CO2 emissions.

Key Features of CarbonImpact:

1. Scope 3 Emissions Reports: CarbonImpact leverages your unique data to create reports for your transport emissions, providing a line-by-line breakdown by sales line. This in-depth analysis takes into account metrics such as quantity, distance travelled, and mode of transport, offering insights into the emissions generated during the final leg of a product’s journey.

For those seeking a more holistic evaluation of their Scope 3 Emissions, CarbonImpact can calculate the carbon footprint for each product in CO2 equivalent tonnes, following the Government spend-based method. Using calculations from DEFRA, alongside guidance from the Greenhouse Gas Protocol CarbonImpact provides reliable and trusted insights into Scope 3 emissions.

2. Simplicity and Ease: CarbonImpact is designed to streamline the process of measuring and evidencing carbon emissions. Unlike other solutions, there’s no need for complicated API plugins or technical assistance. CarbonImpact empowers your business to track and reduce its carbon footprint effortlessly.

3. Go Green with Confidence: By choosing CarbonImpact, your business can make a tangible impact on its carbon footprint. Our tool provides the data-driven insights needed to take proactive steps toward environmental sustainability.

“We have developed an accessible ESG product, offering a sustainable solution for businesses of various sizes. We support efforts to foster carbon-conscious practices within our industry, enabling businesses not just through Applegate and Troy but also beyond to embark on their journey towards a more sustainable future”. – Stephen Paine, General Manager at Applegate.

The calculation methodology employed by CarbonImpact adheres to the Defra Environmental Reporting Guidelines and has been crafted in collaboration with leading experts from the University of Exeter. By leveraging this approach, Applegate ensures that businesses receive accurate and reliable carbon emission data, enabling them to make informed decisions to drive sustainable change. Meet the CarbonImpact Team at Advanced Engineering!

To learn more about CarbonImpact and how it can benefit your business, we invite you to meet our team at Advanced Engineering at the Birmingham NEC on Troy Stand H170 on 1 and 2 November. Discover firsthand how CarbonImpact can help your business take steps toward a sustainable future.

For more information about CarbonImpact, please visit carbonimpactreport.co.uk

JSP are hosting a ‘Troy Member meet the manufatcurer day’ in July at their factory in Worsham. 

On Tuesday 21st June 2022 members who attend will get a factory tour as well as hearing about their product innovation.

Please be aware that each individual attending will need to sign up.

Sign up below by using the password ‘TROY’

Sign up here.

Due to COVID, Force™8 & Presstocheck™ Masks have been on a long leadtime since April – we are now happy to share news that lead time is down to only a couple of weeks.

ORDER NOW TO RECEIVE STOCK BEFORE CHRISTMAS

This new issue has more than doubled in size from the first edition and includes even more useful information from a diverse range of Troy Suppliers

These are currently being sent out this week via Royal Mail and should be with you within the next few days.

If you would like any more information then please contact the Troy Marketing Team.

In the leadup to Christmas, we thought we’d share some tips to make the most out of the workplace environment throughout this festive time of year. We have listed 10 things below that we think can help induce the festive spirit within the workplace!

Relax with your Staff

1. Elf yourself – https://www.elfyourself.com/
2. Secret Santa
3. Buffet
4. Bring a pet to work day
5. Christmas Jumper Day
6. Advent Calendars
7. Christmas Quiz – https://www.whychristmas.com/fun/quiz.shtml
8. Christmas Raffle
9. Decorating the office – https://christmas.snydle.com/40-office-christmas-decorating-ideas.html
10. Christmas Music – few of our favourites; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8gmARGvPlI & https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9QLn7gM-hY & https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THcbQyFtCqg

Now onto more the more serious stuff….

Although Christmas is for celebrating with family & friends, it’s also a great time of year for thieves as everyone is out of the office. Below are a few things we think you need to prevent this while away on the holidays. 

Safety on Site

Security – Remember to check that your premises are secure over the holiday period. Safety lighting is good prevention.

Making sure your gates and doors are locked is paramount – padlocks and chains will be of good use. 

Any stationary vehicles across the Christmas period may benefit from antifreeze to keep vehicles maintained and running for when you return to the office.

Turning electrical plugs off at the source is a great way to save on your electricity bill. 

Make sure fire doors are closed and valuables aren’t on display.

Return in January

Plan to hit the ground running in January 2020;

1. Have yourself and employees create to do lists
2. New year’s resolutions & promises
3. Consider your goals and objectives for Q1
4. Cold weather preparation

Remember to keep your eyes out for a hamper in the post!

.

1. Take meter readings
Many meters now take half Hourly readings which communicate with suppliers meaning that your energy usage will be billed on actual usage, however there are also still many meters that will not do this, therefore it is important to take meter readings while your usage is minimal so that the suppliers do not just estimate your usage based on passed month. When businesses are closed and not consuming energy you should only be paying for the standing charge as per your contract except for those contracts that have volume tolerance clauses. If you are unsure, contact your Troy Business Development Manager. 

2. Seek whether a payment break can be negotiated.
Some suppliers will be happy to offer this for their customers, which will simply mean that the period of non payment will be added at the end of the contract, do not cancel any direct debits without speaking with your energy suppliers as this will affect your credit rating. 

3. Check whether there are any volume tolerances in your Ts and Cs
It’s possible that you have terms in your contract that may cause you issues later in the year, the most common is called Volume Tolerance. This tends to be for larger energy users and means that you have agreed on a level of energy to be used on-site over a set time period. Energy consumption will reduce as businesses have a break in trading, Volume Tolerance means that you could be charged for a set level of Energy whether you use this or not. If you’re not sure on your position here, we will happily review your Terms and Conditions and check how a change in your consumption may impact you.

4. Turn off all non essential Electricity and Gas consumption
As your business premises will likely be empty or running with skeleton staff it’s recommend turning off any piece of equipment including computers, machinery and any lighting which is not needed. This will help reduce your demand and subsequently lower your bills while the premises is not in use.

5. Contracts nearing their renewal date
It is important to keep an eye on any contract renewals due in the next few weeks/ months as if these are left to roll, you will be put on out of contract rates which can be very expensive. It’s important to tender, negotiate and renew these contracts as per usual, even though this will not be top of mind right now. If you are renewing your contract and switching suppliers, it’s important to adhere to your Terms and Conditions and remember to terminate your existing contract.

6. Set up an online account with your supplier
This can easily be done through your energy supplier and will allow you to submit meter readings, monitor your energy usage or make changes to your billing requirements such as changing to electronic bills.

If you would like further support as a Troy THS member we have energy consultancy partners to support you. Click here for more information. 

Dear Distributor

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) has changed our society. Right now, we are all trying to comply with the advice and demands from various governments to reduce physical contact. The effect in some shops is less customers and some shops are even closed.

We all are concerned about our health and safety and uncertain how this situation affects businesses and workers. We are all under pressure and this situation will change the way we operate in the coming period. Therefore, we want to share with you different on-line tools that can help you to secure your sales, save costs and keep the high service level towards your customers in the current situation…….

For the rest of the document download below

Paul Caddick has joined as Key Account Manager for the recognised Industry business, and brings with him a wealth of experience from his time within the Stanley Black And Decker Group.

Nick Ward has joined as Area Sales Manager for the South West of England, and Wales. Nick is new to the Power Tool business, but brings with him senior experience in the brewery business.

Kyle Slark has joined as Area Sales Manager for the North and Midlands. Kyle has joined from Trend Machinery and Cutting Tools, and was previously with the TTI Group.

All three will make themselves known to the TROY members on their area in the coming weeks, and we wish them all the best in their future with Metabo.

Leading lubricant specialist Molyslip has introduced a new apprenticeship programme recruiting two graduate trainees – Joe Bertera and Mike Green.  Both employees are currently enrolled in a 12-month Graduate Trainee Programme which is endorsed by the Institute of Sales Management and managed by recruitment specialist – BMS Performance.

Both Mike and Joe have joined the company’s sales team direct from university.   Mike who studied at the University of Worcester will be managing Molyslip customers in the South and Midlands whilst Joe from Cardiff Metropolitan University will cover accounts within Wales and the North of England.  Both recruits have enjoyed a thorough induction and training programme at Molyslip’s head office in Irlam, Manchester and are now working hard in their respective territories.

Andrew Cunningham, General Manager, Molyslip Ltd says: “We are very excited to be investing in and developing young talent. This is our first apprenticeship programme and we hope the first of many.  We are looking forward to watching Mike and Joe grow in their new roles.”

Molyslip is an independent UK-based manufacturer of specialised lubricants and has been supplying products both nationally and internationally since the 1930’s.  The company exports to over 60 countries worldwide and its products (market leading Copaslip, TAP, WRL and Arvina) are used across a range of Industry, with particular strengths in Metal-Working, Oil & Gas, Repair & Maintenance and Automotive as well Marine/Off-shore, Ship Building, and Food & Beverage (both production and packaging areas).  www.molyslip.co.uk.