Maplin Electronics
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Maplin Electronics | |
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| Type | Private |
| Founded | Westcliff on Sea, U.K. (1972)[1] |
| Founder | Roger Allen Sandra Allen Doug Simmons |
| Headquarters | Brookfields, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK |
| No. of locations | 149 stores (2008) at 2008-05-17 |
| Area served | United Kingdom |
| Key people | Dr Keith Pacey, CEO [1] |
| Industry | Retail |
| Products | Electronic goods |
| Revenue | £149.5 million (2007), ▲ 16.5% from 2006[2] |
| Profit | £21.5 million (2007), ▲ 31% from 2006[2] |
| Owner | Montagu Private Equity |
| Employees | Over 2000 (2008) |
| Website | http://www.maplin.co.uk/ |
Maplin Electronics is a retailer of electronic goods in the UK and Republic of Ireland. As of May 2008, there are 147 Maplin Electronics stores in the United Kingdom. Additionally, it operates an extensive web and catalogue based mail-order service.
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[edit] History
Maplin Electronic Supplies was established in 1972 as a small mail order business by Roger Allen and Doug Simmons and assisted by Roger's wife Sandra. The company was based in a bedroom at the Allen's home in Rayleigh, Essex after the two electronics enthusiasts were disappointed by the failings of existing suppliers of electronic components. They took out a small advertisement in an electronics magazine after printing the company's first 28 page catalogue which would be offered free to callers. Despite a slow start and no profit in the first year the company began to build a reputation for offering first grade electronic components which could be delivered exactly as shown in the catalogue by first class post.
By 1975 the catalogue had grown to 216 pages with technical specifications and complete projects and the founders realised that an actual retail outlet would be beneficial. The first store opened in nearby Westcliff on Sea, with the mail order business moving in above the shop. Sales received a large boost when Maplin was invited to take prime advertising space in IPC electronics magazines after receiving a number of complaints against some of their existing advertisers. A second store opened in Hammersmith before the year was out.
In 1985 Maplin Professional Supplies (MPS) was created to service the expanding business market with a catalogue of products selected specifically for professionals and the business market. In 1989 a new National Distribution Centre was opened at Wombwell, South Yorkshire and 4 years later a Far Eastern headquarters was established in Taiwan.
By 1994 Maplin had a turnover of more than £29 million a year and it was clear more help was needed to organise the business so late that year Maplin was acquired by Saltire PLC[3] .
In 1999 Maplin launched its own website and the following year sales from the site hit £1m. The Southend on Sea headquarters also closed in 2000 and all operations were moved to the Wombwell base. In 2001 the company changed hands again, this time with management buyout backed by Graphite Capital[4].
[edit] Maplin Electronics Today
In 2004 Montagu Private Equity purchased 67% of Maplin from Graphite Capital at a cost of £244m[5]. In 2007 the company began to relocate it's headquarters and distribution centre to a new facility at Brookfields Park on the former Manvers Main Colliery, Rotherham, just two miles from the old warehouse in Wombwell.
A total of 26 new stores were opened in 2007 and a further 15 were rebranded in the new Maplin format. As of May 2008, there are 149 Maplin Electronics stores, 7 of which opened this year and with an additional 5 stores set to open before August 2008[6]. The company has a medium term goal of 250 retail stores throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
Maplin Electronics became the current sponsor of the UK Snooker Championship in 2006.
[edit] Products
Maplin sell a variety of electrical equipment such as audio/visual devices, electrical components, computer components, cables, TV and satellite equipment and everyday electrical items such as batteries, light bulbs, power adaptors and solar energy panels. The company also sell mp3 players, portable televisions and satellite navigation equipment. The target market ranges from the general consumer to the more technical electronics hobbyist.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Maplin Electronics - Company History.
- ^ a b Maplin Electronics posts rise in profit
- ^ cbronline.com
- ^ Maplin Electronics, Graphite Capital
- ^ Montagu Private Equity announces £244 million acquisition of Maplin Electronics
- ^ Store Openings
