Toolstation is celebrating its 20th year since opening for business in 2003.
To kickstart the celebrations, the Travis Perkins Group operation headed back to Bristol Whiteladies Road where it all began, with the landmark store being the first to open within the business. Colleagues and customers were surprised with a commemorative cake hand-delivered by popular trade professional partners and radio hosts The Bald Builders.
The cake was designed in recognition of Toolstation’s product catalogue, which has been a staple of the business since being founded and the 95th edition recently launched in January. As part of their surprise visit, The Bald Builders also put up a commemorative plaque outside the front entrance acknowledging it as the site of the first Toolstation store.
From mid-February until the end of the month, the store hosted a trade show in which customers had the chance to meet some of Toolstation’s top suppliers that have joined the business in the last 20 years, including DeWalt, Milwaukee, RWC, Hive, Google, ForgeFix, Integral, Bristan, CT1, Crown, Wilo, KitchenKit, Vanways, Adey, Vtac, Swan, Fluidmaster and Salamander.
Jim Gowland, the stockist’s Head of Distribution, began his career with the company as a temporary assistant in Bristol Whiteladies Road store 20 years ago, and has shared his experience of how the business helped him progress throughout the years.
He said: “I joined just as the first catalogue launched and was brought in to help manage the influx of orders that were coming into the business at that time. A lot of people progress by moving companies every three or four years, but in my 20-year career I’ve had about seven different jobs across the business. I love the pace, ambition, and excitement of working for Toolstation. I couldn’t think of working for anyone else.”
As part of the celebrations, Toolstation has unveiled 20 deals for tradespeople and DIYers to “help them secure the best possible prices for trade-quality products,” including discounts on DeWalt power tools, Tado smart home accessories, Milwaukee storage solutions and more. Plus for a limited time only, the firm is offering new customers downloading the app an additional 10% off their first app order (see app for details).
