About Us
Recognised as being “where the trade buys” and promising a fast, reliable service, Screwfix is the UK’s leading multi-channel supplier of thousands of high quality fixings and fastenings, hand tools, power tools, plumbing and electrical supplies, kitchens and bathrooms, landscaping and outdoor products, safety products and workwear, and building supplies.
Combining trade prices and a massive range of leading brand name items, Screwfix offers over 18,000 products and is fully committed to customer care and support. Each item is supplied with a 30-day money-back guarantee, and all stock items can be purchased seven days a week via a call to our freephone customer service hotline, a click onto our website www.screwfix.com, or a visit to one of our growing network of Trade Counters.
Company History
Based in Yeovil within Somerset, Screwfix originally started life in 1979 as the Woodscrew Supply Company. The company’s first catalogue consisted of a single page, solely dedicated to screws. In 1987 this was increased to a four page version offering hardware to Do-It-Yourself and Trade professionals and going by the name of Handimail.
The first catalogue to be produced in the name of Screwfix Direct appeared in 1992. This led to an increase in turnover to £4m, and in 1994 the company moved into larger premises at Pen Mill, Yeovil. This was to herald the start of significant growth and in 1998, with a turnover that had virtually doubled year on year to £28m, the company moved to a purpose built site at Houndstone Business Park in Yeovil.
The first website, www.screwfix.com was launched in 1999, just five months prior to the company being acquired by Kingfisher plc. Later that year, and still maintaining its philosophy of providing high quality, low cost building, maintenance and refurbishment items to the trade, the company expanded its Houndstone site with the opening of a new, dedicated Contact Centre employing 500 people.
In January 2000, Screwfix announced an increased turnover of £58m and trading hours were extended to seven days a week. The 1000th employee joined the organisation in March and, a month later, next day deliveries within mainland UK were introduced.
Turnover first exceeded £100m in January 2001 and, following further expansion across the business, Screwfix announced sales of £185m in 2002. Determined to retain its leading position, the company relaunched its website later that year, making it more interactive, secure and quicker and easier to use. This was rewarded by the accolade of E-tailer of the year.
In 2004 and to continue to meet the increased demand that came with a growing turnover of £221m, the company’s three warehouses were consolidated into one site at Trentham, Stoke on Trent. By 2005, the company was ready to trial a new Trade Counters concept. The first such store was opened in Yeovil, and was hugely successful. Many more Trade Counters were opened across the UK in the months and years that followed.
Today the company’s turnover has increased to £490m, of which nearly 25% is generated online. It holds in excess of 4m customer records, and employs approximately 850 people at its Head Office and Contact Centre, plus a further 2,450 more employees at its Trade Counters, of which there were 146 sites as of September 2009. Deliveries are now coordinated from two main distribution centres, with a site in Stafford having been added to the one in Trentham.
2009 saw the launch of Plumbfix and Electricfix, specialist stores dedicated solely to the trade, allowing plumbers and electricians to enjoy specialist catalogues and special prices while shopping in an environment designed to meet their needs. There are Plumbfix and Electricfix outlets attached to some of our highest profile stores, and more will follow in the coming months.
The Future
Concentrating on a fast, reliable service, Screwfix will also be further increasing its range of low cost, leading brand name items for the trade. Screwfix will also continue to introduce innovative items aimed at helping the trades to work smarter and faster, saving money and making each application simpler and easier. As well as continuing to improve its catalogue and website at www.screwfix.com, Screwfix will also be expanding its UK network of Trade Counters and specialist units to bring even more accessibility to its customers.
