Anglia Tool Centre is a specialist in DIY power tools, selling a wide range of top brands online across the UK.
We spoke to Ian Thacker, the company’s group manager, about the products we can expect to see at the show and what kind of discounts IFSEC visitors will have exclusive access to.
IFSEC Global: It would be good to kick off asking you to tell us a bit about the company and what you do?
Ian Thacker: Anglia Tools Centre was established in November 2006. We’re part of the Ridgeons Group, a family-owned builder’s merchant established since 1911. So lots of heritage behind us.
We set up to become a specialist supplier of power tools to the trade. We’re not involved in any DIY tools; it’s all trade-rated products aimed at general builders, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, security installers – you name it, we have tools to suit the requirements of any trade operation.
Everything at the show will be at a discounted price compared to what you would normally pay online, either through ourselves or competitor
We opened in East Anglia with one showroom and we now have nine standalone showrooms as well as a heavy online presence, accounts facility, contracts business etc…
So we’ve come quite a long way in the last 10 years and are looking to future progression across the UK in the coming years.
IG: What are your plans for IFSEC?
IT: We’re attending IFSEC as the only tools supplier at the show, so we’ve created the Tool Zone. The idea is to build relationships with security installers and become their supplier of choice for their power tool and accessory requirements.
We’ll be there with products from all the leading manufacturers – the likes of Makita, Dewalt, Milwaukee, Bosch, Hitachi etc – and we’ll have demonstrations throughout the event. It’s an opportunity for installers to get hands on with the latest power tools on the market.
They’ll all be set up for live demonstrations – we’ll have concrete blocks to recreate their working environment as closely as we possibly can to make sure they buy the right appliances to suit their needs.
They’ll also have an opportunity to sign up to our loyalty scheme called ATC rewards, which gives them discounts and money to spend on tools when they recommend us to friends, colleagues, relatives etc.
IG: And are there any benefits of buying the tools at IFSEC? Any special show discount?
IT: Absolutely. Everything at the show will be at a discounted price compared to what you would normally pay online, either through ourselves or competitors.
IG: Are there any newly launched products or products only just added to your range?
IT: We’ll have a few be featuring product launches from most manufacturers actually. We’ve got the latest SDS machines – the 54 volt SDS machine from Dewalt will be there, which is quite ground-breaking stuff. It’s true corded performance without the hassle of having a cord.
We’ve got some new SDS drills with integrated dust management systems, which conform to all the latest health and safety regulations. So as you drill the hole it (A) captures the dust to stop it getting into the environment and (B) avoids a lot of clearing up after the job. So we’ll have live demonstrations of the latest dust management products as well.
IG: I think that covers it, anything else you want to add?
IT: It’s also a lot of fun on the stand. Everyone likes to get hands on with the power tools and see the latest technology for themselves. We try and create a nice, fun environment to make it a pleasant experience for the visitor.
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