Draper Tools Celebrates 100 Years in Business

Hampshire-based tool firm Draper Tools is proud to be celebrating 100 years in business this year. Established in 1919 by Bert Draper, the business is still family owned and run today by the fourth generation of the Draper family. At 100 years old, the company remains as committed to growth and innovation as ever, having recently made a number of investments as a business, as well as several improvements at its head office facility.

A huge celebration for current and former members of staff and their families is planned for summer 2019, when the company will host a family fun day to thank everyone who has contributed to Draper Tools’ success. In the meantime, plans are in motion for a year-long celebration of the company’s 100-year anniversary, with exclusive promotions, competitions and charity fundraising. Each month there will be special edition centenary products launched at great prices including trolley jacks, pressure washers, socket sets, spanner sets and more.

To further mark the occasion, Draper Tools has teamed up with Care for Veterans, a very special charity, which also celebrates its centenary in 2019. Care for Veterans (formerly The Queen Alexandra Hospital Home) was established in 1919 to care for those soldiers returning from World War I with life-changing disabilities. For 100 years, the charity has been providing long term nursing

care, rehabilitation, respite and award-winning end of life care to disabled ex-Servicemen and women from the RAF, Army, Royal Navy and auxiliary services. Draper Tools will be dedicating 2019 to supporting and raising funds for Care for Veterans in honour of both organisations’ centenary year. The charity and some the veterans it supports will also be attending the Draper Tools celebration event in the summer.

Over its 100-year history Draper Tools has established a strong reputation for supplying a wide range of hand and power tools for both professional trades and serious enthusiasts. To date, its range includes over 11,000 products lines. While the company’s offering has changed and expanded, its dedication to quality and customer service has remained a constant priority. Chairman of Draper Tools, John Draper, commented: “We are proud to have reached this important milestone in our company history and would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped us get here. Although we have grown a lot over the last century, we still like to think of ourselves as a no-nonsense, customer-focused tool supplier. Quality and reliability are still very much at the heart of the business and this will continue as we progress and grow into 2019 and beyond.”

A few facts from 100 years of Draper Tools:

·       Draper Tools was started in 1919 when the founder, Bert Draper, sold government surplus and tools in markets around the Kingston Upon Thames area.

·       The company moved to its current head office site in Chandler’s Ford in 1963.

·       Prior to becoming home to Draper Tools, the Chandler’s Ford site was a royal navy victualling depot. It was used as the central stores for the shadow factories producing spitfires during World War 2. The shadow factories were small manufacturing units producing aircraft parts dotted all-round the Southampton area in an attempt to escape the axis bombing raids.

·       Draper Tools was originally known as B. Draper & Son Limited and owned the trademark B.D.S.

·       When Bert Draper passed away in 1963, control of the Company passed to his son Norman, who pushed the business forward dramatically and developed the ‘Draper’ brand as we know it today.

·       Norman Draper’s wife Joan produced, almost single-handedly, the company’s first type-written catalogue in 1953.

·       Norman died in 1994 and the company is now run by his son, John and his grandsons Tom and Joe.

·       Many local people will remember Draper Tools as proud sponsors of Southampton FC. The company sponsored the club for nine years between 1984 and 1993. Today it has partnerships and sponsorships in place with Caterham Cars, Santapod Raceway and a British Touring Car Championship team.

·       With the Chandler’s Ford at full capacity, in 2006 Draper Tools purchased a site in North Baddesley, with work completed on this new warehouse facility in 2009.

·       To date the company now employs over 300 people.

You can find out more about Draper Tools’ history and keep up with all the latest news, special promotions and product launches from Draper Tools online at www.drapertools.com.