NEWS & PR

Business not as Usual!

13 November 2006

With all the recent changes and new product activity currently happening at Draper Tools, the Hampshire based tool distributor could hardly be labelled with "Business as usual".

Constantly improving service and continual new line product development have played no small part in the company winning the accolade of "Overall Supplier of the Year" to the THS Tools Group and its Members at this year’s Annual Exhibition. In fact, Draper were also awarded “Category A winner”, a fantastic double achievement in the light of strong competition.

John Webb, National Account Manager, who collected the Overall Supplier of the Year Award comments, "Continual progression and improvement in our products and service is critical to our success as a supplier to THS both now and in the future. Being voted for by so many valued independent businesses who choose to buy our product day in, day out is what really makes this award so special.”

Graham Wade, Sales Director, who collected the Category A Award comments, “It is the combined effort of many people which has put us into this enviable position.”

John Draper, Chairman, comments, “I was delighted to hear from Terry and Graham that Draper Tools won Supplier of the Year Award for their Category as well as the coveted Overall Supplier of the Year for 2006. This is a great honour and rest assured we will continue to work with THS and their membership to develop our business to our mutual benefit.”

However no business can afford to rest on its laurels and as if to make this point, Draper have just brought on-line a new 30,000 sq ft warehouse extension unit to its existing 20,000 sq ft unit at its North Baddesley site.

The robotic pallet handling in this warehouse is the most efficient and advanced of its kind and will form an integral part in fulfilling next day orders to THS Members. This and other developments have enabled the company to improve the ordering cut off time for B2B ordering customers from 12pm to 2pm, which in turn can only improve deliveries from THS Member companies to their customers. Graham Wade, Sales Director, comments, "Some of our best prices and certainly our lowest carriage paid order value are available exclusively to stockists ordering over the internet B2B and with the new 2pm order cut off time any THS Member not already doing so would benefit from ordering B2B.”

New products and new product category diversification have also boosted Drapers appeal with stockists who themselves are looking to find new profitable markets and fresh customers. Draper leisure products are one example of this and have already proved very popular with THS Members. With many further Newline additions planned to roll out with the launch of Drapers new catalogue early 2007, you could never accuse Draper of being, "Business as usual".