20 Years of Jefferson Tools

“For those of us who have worked for the brand since the beginning, the idea of celebrating 20 years of Jefferson Professional Tools & Equipment is both exhilarating and hard to comprehend. The brand has developed at an unprecedented speed in recent years and while that has taken an impressive amount of work, time really does fly when you’re having fun!” Darren Binns, National Sales Manager.

And difficult as it may be to believe, in 2023, this family-owned brand will celebrate its 20th anniversary.

When the Jefferson brand was established in 2003, owner Fergal McIntyre could never have imagined facing down a recession and a global pandemic. Yet he done so with such style, that in January 2021, he moved his Jefferson Tools team to a brand-new, custom built Head Office in the heart of Mid-Ulster. The new office has brought with it a host of opportunities. Providing better facilities for all departments and a welcome space to bring our Jefferson stockists as the pandemic eases.

The new head office and adjoining distribution centre are a mammoth 100,000ft² in size. An additional 20,000ft² will be added during 2022. Having navigated our way through the pandemic, facing challenges within the shipping industry, the Jefferson Tools procurement team have introduced a robust stock management strategy, future-proofing the brand. The strategy ensures stock levels are maintained and managed to guarantee the best standard of delivery to Jefferson customers.

Jefferson Tools main headquarters
Jefferson Tools now despatch from over 100,000ft2 Distribution Centre to cusotmers throughout Ireland and the UK

With so many impressive features built into the fantastic new structure and with family values at the core of everything they do, the opportunities for the Jefferson brand are endless.

Meet The Team

Josh McErlean of Josh McErlean Rallying meets some of the Jefferson Tools team, (L-R) Darren Binns, Mark McKeown, Johnny O'Kane, Linzi McCord & Fergal McIntyre
Josh McErlean of Josh McErlean Rallying meets some of the Jefferson Tools team, (L-R) Darren Binns, Mark McKeown, Johnny O'Kane, Linzi McCord & Fergal McIntyre

One such luxury, has been that of space to allow for expansion. Growth has and will continue to play an important role within the development of the brand with new employment opportunities a welcome necessity to assist with the continued growth of the brand. Investing in exceptional people has always been as important as investing in exceptional product.

Introducing an Internal Sales department during the past year which has improved overall communication between customers and our team.

We are currently recruiting Sales Managers in four regions, which were established in order to cope with increased demand and a growing wholesale network.

Trusted By The Pros

With 20 Years of Jefferson Tools in the bag, the brand boasts a huge range of tools, with variety to boot! The range can be split into 14 categories: Air Tools, Welding, Power Tools, Access Equipment, Pressure Washing, Heating & Cooling, Hand Tools, Automotive & Workshop, Light & Power, Storage, Lifting & Transport, Abrasives, Personal Protection Equipment, Fluid & Grease Handling and General Supplies. With thousands of product lines available across the brand and loads of exciting new products being launched weekly, variety is just one of the many reasons that Jefferson Tools is the fastest growing tool and equipment brands in Ireland and the UK.

Jefferson tool workshop and tool showcase
Jefferson Tools Showroom located at Head Office

Support plays a vital role within the values of the brand. The sales team currently manage and support an ever-increasing network of 1,790 official stockists across Ireland and the UK. When asked how that support takes shape, Marketing Manager Aileen Kelly stated. “To name only a few of the ways we support our wholesale network, we provide:

  • Internal Sales Support (Call +44(0)1244 646 048 or +353(0) 1473 0300, Option 1)
  • Merchandising stands & branded Jefferson Tools stands
  • Regular calls and visits from our Area Sales Managers & Brand Merchandiser
  • Marketing & Design support (catalogues, flyers, promotional support, product data)
  • Team presence at Open Days & Events
  • Dedicated Service & Repair Centre and Parts Warehouse located at head office
  • New B2B website, giving our Official Stockists more access and control"

2022 will be a particularly exciting year having extensively researched new trends and developed a host of new ideas/concepts. The team will implement an ambitious new product launch strategy. Keep a close eye on the brand over the next few months as they introduce new products, to new markets and industries!

What’s our USP??

Put simply, Jefferson Tools is a wholesale-only brand. That means that the team at head office, will never compete with our hard-working dealers.

On why they do not sell direct to end user, Darren Binns commented, “Protecting the brand has always been at the forefront of our growth strategy. Securing dealer margins and profitability is key. Our products speak for themselves in the hands of the end user, therefore our focus is on providing unrivalled value and service to our official stockists.”

Delivering Sales Through E-Commerce

jefferson tool website

Jefferson Tools launched a new B2B website during 2021. The Jefferson website was built on the global leading platform Magento 2. The platform gives us plenty of room to grow and explore new digital opportunities in the future. The website provides end users with the ability to explore the brand. More importantly they can request the details of their local Jefferson stockist.

Wholesalers have direct access to all products and current promotions, access to product data and imagery. They can also view the stocking status of the product. The website has changed the landscape of the brand, providing our customers with knowledge at their fingertips.

If you would like to access the B2B website, simply contact marketing. Call +44(0)1244 646 048 / +353(0)1473 0300 (Option 5) or send your full name and email address to marketing@jeffersontools.com.

Hardware Show 2022

Jefferson tool trade show stand
The Jefferson Tools stand at the Hardware Show 2022

With the Hardware Show taking place in the coming days, it’s full steam ahead for the Jefferson team. “Darren, John, Michael, Mark and Bobby will be in attendance and are really looking forward to getting back to trade events. They are also looking forward to a well-deserved night out at the President’s Ball!”, Marketing Manager Aileen Kelly. The team has been working hard to create another show stopping exhibition stand for the highly anticipated return of the Hardware Show on 24th April.

On what visitors to the Hardware Show should expect, Aileen explained, “One particular aim for 2022 is to give as many of our new and existing Official Stockists access to the new website. It’s important that they have equal opportunities to gain from our promotions. They can also access product information, which can help them to sell online or face to face in a more efficient way. We will also be providing a host of exclusive promotions, only available to attendees.”

The Key To Success?

Having asked what key factors had made the brand successful since its inception in 2003, National Sales Manager Darren simply stated “a great brand strategy, which was set upon the shoulders of an amazing team”.

There is also the question of how the brand will celebrate 20 years of Jefferson Tools next year? National Sales Manager Darren Binns explained, “a showcase of the brand is absolutely on the cards…and then maybe a holiday for the team!!”

Jefferson Tools head office in Upperlands, Northern Ireland
Jefferson Tools Head Office in Upperlands, Northern Ireland
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