Screwfix

Screwfix
Private (subsidiary of Kingfisher plc)
Industry Trade, Maintenance & Serious DIY
Founded Yeovil — as the Woodscrew Company (1979)
Headquarters Yeovil, Somerset[1]
Products Screws, Power Tools, Hand Tools, Fixings & Accessories, Kitchens & Bathrooms, Electrical & Lighting, Building & Joinery, Heating & Plumbing, Safety & Workwear, Security & Ironmongery, Outdoor & Gardening
Revenue £557M (2013)
Number of employees
 6000 (2014)
Slogan Where the Trade Buys
Website www.screwfix.com

Screwfix is a United Kingdom multi-channel supplier of trade tools, accessories and hardware products.[2] Founded in 1979, the company was acquired in July 1999, by Kingfisher plc, who also owns B&Q, and is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

History

Screwfix store in Bedminster
Screwfix Volvo FH distribution lorry in Bristol
Screwfix store in Stratford-upon-Avon

Based in Yeovil, Somerset, Screwfix started life as the Woodscrew Supply Company in 1979.[3] The company’s first mail order catalogue consisted of a single page, solely dedicated to screws and, in 1987, this was increased to a four page version offering hardware to DIY and Trade professionals in the name of Handimail. The first catalogue to be produced in the name of Screwfix Direct appeared in 1992 and, with a turnover of £4 million the company moved into larger premises at Pen Mill, Yeovil in 1994.

In 1998, turnover had increased to £28M a year, and the company moved to a purpose built site at Houndstone Business Park in Yeovil.[4] The first website was launched in 1999, just five months prior to the company being acquired by Kingfisher Plc.[3][5] Later that year, the company expanded its Houndstone site with the opening of a new, Contact Centre employing 500 people. In January 2000, Screwfix announced a turnover of £58 million and trading hours were extended to 7 days a week. The 1000th employee joined the organisation in March 2000 and a month later, next day deliveries within mainland UK were introduced.

In January 2001, turnover first exceeded £100M, and after further expansion in the contact centre. Screwfix announced sales of £185M in 2002. The company re-launched the website later that year, and was awarded Retailer Of the Year.[6] In September 2004, to continue to meet the increased demand, a fully automated, 325,000 sq ft distribution centre was opened in Trentham, Stoke on Trent, fulfilling next day orders.[7] The Screwfix Community, an online forum, was also launched later that year.

Stores

In August 2005, the first Screwfix store opened in Yeovil, Somerset, followed by further stores, and a new distribution centre. In February 2012, the 200th store opened in Heathrow. In January 2014, the company moved into Northern Ireland, opening eight stores.

Contact

In 1998, Screwfix Contact Centre opened, it is based in Yeovil, Somerset. There are currently just over 360 people working there. In 2013, the centre received 1,667,689 calls.

The Screwfix Foundation

In April 2013, Screwfix launched its first charity, The Screwfix Foundation, which supports charities who need help with building, fixing, maintaining, or improving the charity building or facility. The Screwfix Foundation works with Macmillan & Barnardos and also donate to local charities throughout the United Kingdom (As of April 2015: 96). The money is raised by Screwfix staff, and at the end of the first year, the charity raised over £100,000.

Awards

References

  1. ↑ "Ex-warehouse is new company HQ". BBC News. 7 July 2004. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  2. ↑ "Screwfix still in fix over orders". BBC News. 2 November 2004. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Screwifx Press Centre, Screwfix Media Release Regarding Staff
  4. ↑ "Screwfix Direct Limited". Companies in the UK. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  5. ↑ Cunliffe, Peter (19 October 2013). "From online to high street: How Screwfix found DIY success". Express. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  6. ↑ Cuthbertson, Christine (2012). Retail Strategy. Routledge. ISBN 9781136368462.
  7. ↑ "Staff fix needed at DIY website". BBC News. 27 September 2004. Retrieved 25 January 2008.

External links

Coordinates: 50°56′51″N 2°40′29″W / 50.94750°N 2.67472°W