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A visit by Brian Hall, Editor
Alfred Derbyshire Ltd was originally founded in 1892. Alfred moved to Southport for reasons of health - this was back in the days when sea air was considered a cure-all.
The company now operates from a much expanded version of the same premises Alfred traded from in his lifetime. Derbyshires continued to be run by his family up until 2005, and not surprisingly had become a local by-word as the place to go for tools.
The story of the current owners of Derbyshires starts over 30 years ago. Allen Johnson, who together with his family now runs the company, has been in the tool business for three decades. Starting with a plant hire business, he found there was a growing demand for tools amongst his customers. Eventually the success of this side of the company led to the conversion of property he owned near the hire depot into a dedicated tool shop.
Demand kept growing, and the tool shop premises were extended twice as the business became more and more busy.
It had become clear that a tool shop could be a really worthwhile proposition so Allen started looking around for opportunities to develop further. He had been operating his business in Tarlton, but realized the area around Southport would offer the best outlook. Derbyshires was identified as a business that was ripe for further development and he approached the Derbyshire family to see if they would sell. The business wasn’t on the market but, no doubt impressed by Allen’s commitment to the tool trade, the family eventually agreed to sell.
That was four years ago and in the time that has followed the Johnsons and dedicated an enormous amount of time, energy and money into developing the business into a thoroughly up to date outlet, with a fully refurbished show room.
The well stocked shelves and clear displays are complemented by the modern trade counter facilities.
Not surpisingly an important element in the business strategy is ensuring that all the best products are stocked. Quality at a competitive price is manifest in the stock at Derbyshires. Visitors to the shop will spot leading brands such as: Makita, Milwaukee, Panasonic, Hitachi, Ryobi, AEG, Trend, Fein, G+J Hall, Franklin, TengTools, Draper, Stabila, Stanley, Everbuild, Youngman, Harris, Carolus, Spear & Jackson, Dickies, Snickers, Irwin, Gedore and Freud, and many others, Harrison & Clough is a major supplier to Derbyshires.
Membership of THS, which Derbyshire joined a couple of years ago has helped the company to achieve the goal of having the best offering possible for its customers, as well as the benefit of being able to supply them at really competitive prices.
In fact the company is proud to carry literally thousands of stock lines starting from the smaller items such as woodscrews, silicones and drill bits, right up to top level professional power tools and machinery. As well as the range of hand and power tools and supplies there is also an impressively large range of ladders. No range is complete without a good selection of the personal protective equipment and workwear that workmen all need, and of course Derbyshires has a superb choice of these.
Part of the regeneration of the company has included the installing of a very comprehensive computer based system, which allows the company to manage its stock control and prices, which enables the company to deliver an even more efficient service to its customers.
In its many years of offering excellent service Derbyshires has built up an enviably wide customer base across the North West and as the company has entered its latest phase of development new ways have been used to gain more customers and greater business. The company works closely with local authorities, colleges and factories winning large orders.
Providing a web based service is a key factor in many businesses success, and getting the website right can make a real difference. The Derbyshire website is a clearly set out, well designed space that gives online customers a simple way to benefit from the company’s extensive range and excellent prices.
There doesn’t seem to be a factor the Johnson family hasn’t considered when redeveloping Derbyshires. The result is certainly one of the most modern and forward looking businesses of its kind. But of course having taken over a company with a long tradition of service that has a name that’s well known in its area its new owners haven’t failed to factor in the traditional elements of service to their recipe for success. The company’s six members of staff offer a friendly and attentive service, meaning visitors to the shop can be sure of friendly, helpful and knowledgeable advice. Derbyshires is a place where customers know they can go and be helped to make the best choices for their own specific needs and this means a lot to the company’s owners, staff and customers. It is the factor that has allowed the business to be successful for over one hundred years.
Sometimes it takes a burst of new energy to take a successful company onto a whole new level. Which is why Derbyshires is so far ahead of many other businesses. Because it has the combined benefits of the vision and modernity of a new business with the century of experience and customer recognition of an established tool shop.
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