Tag Archives: ge tools

News

Industrial supplier unveils post-pandemic growth plans at Skills Olympics

A PROMINENT industrial supplier unveiled plans for post-pandemic growth at a popular Skills Olympics.

Organised by GE Tools in partnership with Coleg Llandrillo Rhyl, more than 60 students competed in myriad disciplines including Vehicle Body Repair (VBR), Hair and Beauty, Health and Social Care, Services and Repair, and Carpentry.

The event was a huge success and welcomed leading names in the trade, engineering, construction, automotive, employment and training sectors for community activities and demonstrations; RWE Renewables, Read Construction, North Wales Police, Creating Enterprise, Makita, Job Centre Plus, Draper, Globus, Rockfall, Stahlwille, Gedore, the Armed Forces, Woody’s Lodge and the CITB were among those in attendance.

Celebrating 34 years in business, Deeside and Rhyl-based GE Tools had a strong start to 2022, welcoming three new members of staff ahead of further recruitment this summer.

One of the largest independent distributors of tools, PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), hygiene products and personalised workwear in the region, they plan to continue supporting events that inspire the next generation of trades and thanked everyone for their contribution to the day.

Managing Director Chris Owen said: “The learners were fantastic and showed a great level of skill and ability.

“The feedback was very positive, it was great to have so many businesses and organisations from different industries, demonstrating the career opportunities out there for the students.

“We thank them for their support and the college for its commitment to the next generation of workers in this arena. The talent on show gives us confidence that the future of the trade sector is in safe hands.”

He added: “GE Tools is all about giving back, to our customers, partners, and the community, so we will continue to help organise events like this, providing a platform for young men and women to shine in their chosen fields.

“As a business we have taken on three new staff and will look to recruit another four in the next year at Deeside and Rhyl, which demonstrates our commitment to providing high-quality employment opportunities in North Wales.”

“We’re also delighted to announce GE Tools is now an accredited Living Wage Employer, which means every member of our team will earn a real Living Wage from day one.”

The Skills Olympics were hosted by Coleg Llandrillo’s Cefndy Road campus, which includes the multi-million pound Centre for Automotive Technology and a dedicated sixth form hub.

Salah Berdouk, Assistant Principal for Computing and Creative Industries, Construction and Engineering, congratulated the medallists and those taking part on the day.

“Our learners rose to the challenge and gave their very best to put into practice everything they have learnt this year,” he said.

“This time, not only Engineering and Construction took part but other areas of the campus including students in Hair and Beauty, Health and Social Care and Public Services.

“The learners were so pleased and felt empowered they can achieve anything they want if they work at it. The generous prizes from partners like GE Tools and Howdens made all the difference.”

Salah added: “This was the perfect example of industry doing everything it can to inspire young people from Rhyl and Denbighshire.

“The event was made even more beneficial to the community as so many companies and organisations were there, and local school pupils – well done, everyone.”

For more information on GE Tools, visit www.getools.co.uk or contact sales@getools.co.uk.

Alternatively, call 01244 836968 and follow them on social media at @getools.

NOTES:

Visit www.gllm.ac.uk for the latest news and information from Grwp Llandrillo Menai.

More information on the Living Wage can be found by visiting www.livingwage.wales.

News

Students go for gold at ‘Trade Olympics’ and skills events with top industrial supplier

STUDENTS competed in a Trade Olympics and exhibition driven by a leading industrial supplier.

Deeside and Rhyl-based GE Tools held events in partnership with Grwp Llandrillo Menai and Coleg Cambria.

Coleg Llandrillo Rhyl saw dozens of Construction and Engineering learners battle for medals in plumbing, carpentry and joinery, brickwork, motor vehicle services, vehicle body repair and fabrication and welding, while also welcoming sector businesses on-site.

The previous evening, Coleg Cambria Deeside hosted an open event, attended by GE Tools and manufacturers and suppliers from across the area.

Chris Owen, Managing Director of GE Tools, said the “incredible response” from attendees at both institutions bodes well for the future of these trades in North Wales and beyond.

“We had two brilliant days with the colleges and there was a fantastic atmosphere among the learners and industry representatives,” said Chris.

“Across both campuses we had an incredible response, with hundreds of people taking part and attending, so we thank them for their support.”

He added: “The main aim of the Trade Olympics was to inspire confidence that this is a strong sector with many career opportunities, and I think the learners embraced that.

“We are fortunate to have two of the best colleges in the country on our doorstep, with skilled lecturers and outstanding facilities, so for the students there is no better platform for them to go on and be successful.”

Ian Hogg, Assistant Principal at Coleg Cambria’s Institute of Technology and Site Lead at Deeside, echoed those words.

He said: “We felt it would be great for potential new students to see a range of quality tools, equipment and safety wear used by industry on display, so we thank Chris and the team for bringing everything together.

“It created a real buzz on the evening for all the visitors, parents and students alike; there was also positive feedback from the manufacturers and suppliers, who plan to get more involved in the future with our students.

“They suggested safety talks and training on the use of equipment as just two examples of how they could engage our learners. Thanks again to GE Tools for your continued support.”

Meanwhile, Coleg Llandrillo say the Trade Olympics demonstrated the ability and passion of their students in a pressure situation.

“They really enjoyed themselves and gained much needed experience in a competitive environment, giving them the confidence to go forward and enter Welsh, national and international competitions,” said Salah Berdouk, the college’s Assistant Principal for Computing and Creative Industries, Construction and Engineering.

“We want them to get excited about the career choice they have made and become proud of their achievements.

“Thanks again to GE Tools for their part in a fantastic day, and for generously supplying prizes for the winners and everyone who took part.”

For more information on GE Tools, visit www.getools.co.uk or contact sales@getools.co.uk.

Alternatively, call 01244 836968 and follow them on social media at @getools.

Construction, News

Director says goodbye to top North Wales industrial supplier after 30 years

ONE of the driving forces behind a leading industrial supplier says goodbye this week after more than 30 years with the business.

GE Tools director Neil Coleclough joined the Rhyl and Deeside-based company in 1988 and has helped oversee a period of sustained growth

The 59 year-old plans to spend more time with wife Christine and family, pursuing hobbies including photography, walking and yoga.

Neil follows GE Tools founder Gordon Evans into retirement and is confident new managing director Chris Owen – who has more than 20 years’ experience with the organisation – will lead them to an even brighter future.

“It is strange to be leaving after a third of a century but it’s the right time and the company is in safe hands,” he said.

“We have always had an incredible team with a positive, hard-working attitude and I am confident they will continue to go from strength to strength.

“I’ll miss all of them, and our fantastic customers, but after so many years here and out on the road I look forward to getting my camera out and actually stopping and enjoying some of the places I’ve driven past over the last three decades!”

Born in Blackley, Manchester, Neil was raised in Bangor and was working in a Llandudno hotel when he met Christine in 1980.

The unsociable hours saw him switch to Mochdre-based sweeper machine manufacturers Danline Ltd, where he learnt the value of diligence and high standards from esteemed colleague, Maurice Tadman.

Rising to the role of production controller, Neil later moved to Barrow Hepburn Equipment in Deiniolen, where a chance meeting with Gordon Evans – then working as a sales director – would lead to him taking the leap and helping establish GE Tools.

“Things were so different back then, everything was paper-based and when the fax machine arrived in the office it blew everyone’s minds,” said Neil.

“Gordon was representing a company we worked with and after speaking on numerous occasions we identified a gap in the market and saw the potential in launching a new business supplying tools to industry.

“He did so, and I soon joined him before we later became equal partners and took it forward.”

GE Tools has always been at the forefront of advances in technology, notably ecommerce, which they capitalised on immediately.

“We were selling online before many of the global giants you see today,” said Neil.

“From Vale Road we grew and grew, first regionally and then alongside some of the biggest names in the trade.

“Most of my focus was on customer development, and the customer has always been at the centre of my thinking – that has never changed.

“We were successful in bringing onboard some very significant accounts that included Pilkington Special Glass, Ferodo, Wylfa and Trawsfynydd power stations and Hotpoint, to name but a few.

“And from there we have continued to deliver, innovating and opening a base in Deeside to extend our footprint into the North West – I could not be more proud of what we have achieved together.”

He added: “There have been so many highlights and of course challenges; the Coronavirus pandemic has been tough for everyone, but we diversified and managed to remain profitable throughout.

“In fact, the name GE Tools doesn’t begin to describe what we do. From PPE to school uniforms and cutting-edge machinery and equipment from international brands such as Gedore, Makita and Sandvik, we do so much more.

“We have built a team of dedicated, long-serving employees who share the company’s vision. They are without doubt our biggest strength, and I can’t wait to watch them take GE Tools to even greater heights.”

For more information, visit www.getools.co.uk or contact salesdesk@getools.co.uk. 

News

North Wales tool business powering growth after 30 years in the trade

A LEADING industrial supplier is powering its way to future growth after more than 30 years in business.

GE Tools is one of the largest independent distributors of tools, PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), hygiene products and personalised workwear in North Wales.

Based in Deeside and Rhyl, the company is recruiting new staff to meet demand and revamping its digital and web presence having forged partnerships with top international brands such as Gedore, Makita, Sandvik, Portwest, Ambersil and SC Johnson.

A proactive member of the Troy Group – number one in the UK for industrial engineering supplies – GE Tools has grown year on year since being launched in 1988.

However, they have never experienced a period like this one, and attributed the firm’s resilience and growth to the hard work and dedication of their workforce.

Having taken “rapid action” to meet the challenges brought on by the Coronavirus pandemic last Spring, Director Chris Owen (pictured) said: “We recognised straight away that we needed to evolve and adapt to meet changing customer needs, and prioritised ‘mission critical’ stocks as early as March last year.

“Throughout Covid we have managed to continue supplying our customers and supported schools and frontline workers with vital PPE, and as the country begins to emerge from restrictions, we are in a strong position moving forward.”

He added: “Like most companies, we were in uncharted territory, but the existing relationships we had with our customers and supply chain partners enabled us to keep going.

“Customer service is what really sets us apart; we care about these long-standing partnerships and when they needed us, we were there. That goes both ways, which is why we are coming out of this pandemic with a clear vision of how we want to grow further in the future.”

With a dedicated team of experienced professionals across the two sites, GE Tools operates in numerous sectors including manufacturing, food services, education, defence, construction, and renewable energy.

They distribute to clients all over the world and have expanded their offering to include personalised ordering portals, qualified technical support and guidance, dedicated account managers, and vendor managed inventories.

Due to increased demand across Wales and the North West for their same/next day delivery service, fellow Director Neil Coleclough says they will be taking on additional staff this summer.

“The last 15-16 months have given us the opportunity to reflect on what we do, what we want to achieve and what really matters to us as a business,” he said.

“And, ultimately, how we can best serve new customers and those who have been with us on this journey over the last three decades and more.

“We’ve gone from selling tools – which is still a key part of what we do – to adding a lot of value through our expertise and by going the extra mile with a more personalised service on both the retail and distribution sides.”

General Manager Steven Evans, whose father Gordon founded the business, added: “Given our position on the border of North Wales and Cheshire there is a lot of scope to grow even further and target other sectors, which is something we are aiming for this year.

“The pandemic has shown us all that you have to be able to adapt and learn from your environment. There was no rehearsal for the challenges of the Coronavirus, but we have taken a lot from it and, if anything, the existing relationships we have went from strength to strength, especially with schools, colleges, and businesses.

“We are very much part of the community and were pleased to be able to help them when they needed it most. Everyone at GE Tools is proud of that and looking forward to seeing what the next chapter in our story looks like.”

For more information, visit www.getools.co.uk or contact salesdesk@getools.co.uk. Alternatively, call 01745 361010 and follow them on social media at @getools.