What Folkestone Fixings does

Folkestone Fixings (FFX) was a UK-based independent specialist retailer of power tools, hand tools, fixings, fasteners, workwear, and related trade and DIY equipment. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Kent, the company operated physical superstores in Folkestone and Ashford alongside an e-commerce platform at FFX.co.uk, serving tradespeople, professional contractors, and DIY consumers across England. Its catalog spanned more than ten product categories including power tools (DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, Bosch), power tool accessories, hand tools, tool storage, workwear and PPE, garden and outdoor equipment, decorating supplies, fixings and fasteners, electrical equipment, ladders and access, and plumbing and heating products.

The business model was a vertically integrated multi-channel retail operation: revenue was generated through unit sales of branded tools and accessories via in-store and online channels, with a catalog breadth designed to capture both trade repeat-purchase demand and DIY consumer demand. FFX positioned itself as one of the larger independent UK tool retailers, carrying leading professional brands and operating superstore-format retail. The company received growth capital from Foresight Group in 2015 and from H2 Equity Partners in a 2021 round of approximately $23.3 million, indicating institutional investor support during its scale-up phase. Leadership included founder John Drinkwater, CEO Chris Yates, CFO Marc Lombardo, and CTO Venn Luscombe Mahoney.

FFX has entered administration and ceased independent operations. Its FFX.co.uk domain and customer base were acquired by ITS.co.uk (Industrial Tool Supplies Ltd), which is now serving former FFX customers with over 29,000 SKUs and next-day UK delivery. No revenue, profitability, or headcount figures beyond the 251-500 employee range are disclosed, and there are no indications of AI, proprietary technology, or differentiated platform capabilities that would materially affect the conclusion that FFX was a conventional specialist trade/DIY retailer.

Name

Folkestone Fixings

Legal name

Folkestone Fixings

Website

https://ffx.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Closed

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Folkestone Fixings (FFX) was a UK-based independent specialist retailer of power tools, hand tools, fixings, workwear, and trade/DIY equipment, operating superstores in Kent and an e-commerce platform serving tradespeople and DIY consumers across England. The company entered administration and its domain was acquired by ITS.co.uk.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Power Tools Retail

NAICS

Power-Driven Handtool Manufacturing (333991)

SIC

Retail-Building Materials, Hardware, Garden Supply (5200)

akta.pro primary industry

Tools & Tool Accessories Retail (Hand, Power, Pneumatic) (CRAIADAB)

Keywords

• Power tools retail
• Hand tools supply
• Fixings fasteners
• Workwear ppe
• Tool accessories

Headquarters

HQ city

Kent

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Core offering

Folkestone Fixings was an independent UK retailer supplying professional and DIY-grade power tools, hand tools, power tool accessories, fixings, fasteners, workwear, tool storage, and related hardware from leading brands such as DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, Bosch, and Festool. It sold to tradespeople, contractors, and DIY consumers through physical superstores in Kent and a nationwide e-commerce platform offering next-day delivery and click-and-collect.

Product overview

Folkestone Fixings (FFX) was a UK-based tool retailer operating both physical stores and online through FFX.co.uk. The company has gone into administration, and ITS.co.uk has acquired the FFX domain. The former product portfolio included power tools (DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, Bosch), power tool accessories, hand tools, workwear and PPE, tool storage, garden and outdoor equipment, decorating supplies, fixings and fasteners, electrical equipment, ladders, and plumbing/heating products. ITS.co.uk continues serving former FFX customers with next-day delivery on over 29,000 products. The company operated superstores and sold leading professional tool brands.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Power Tools

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• ITS.co.uk (Industrial Tool Supplies Ltd)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorITS.co.uk acquired the FFX (Folkestone Fixings) domain following FFX's entry into administration. ITS.co.uk is now welcoming former FFX customers to continue their shopping experience, offering the same high standards of service and product selection including leading brands such as DeWalt and Makita. ITS handles new orders, returns, and customer support previously handled by FFX.

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Screwfix: UK's largest trade-focused tool and hardware retailer, part of Kingfisher. Directly comparable to FFX in product mix (power tools, hand tools, fixings, workwear) and customer base (tradespeople and serious DIYers).
• Toolstation: UK trade and DIY tool retailer owned by Travis Perkins, with a national branch network. Closely comparable to FFX in product categories and target customers, with significantly larger scale.
• ITS.co.uk (Industrial Tool Supplies): UK specialist tool superstore that acquired the FFX domain and customer base. Direct overlap in power tools, hand tools, fixings, workwear and accessories across trade and DIY segments.
• Machine Mart: UK high-street power tool and machinery retailer with superstore-style branches. Directly comparable to FFX's specialist power tool focus and trade/DIY customer mix.
• Cromwell Tools: UK industrial and trade tools, fixings and maintenance products supplier operating across online and branch channels. Comparable to FFX in product breadth and professional customer focus.

Broad incumbents

• Wickes: UK home improvement retailer with kitchens, bathrooms, and building materials alongside a tools and fixings range. Broader portfolio than FFX but overlaps in DIY customer segment and tools/fixings category.
• B&Q: UK's largest DIY and home improvement retailer, owned by Kingfisher alongside Screwfix. Competes with FFX in tools, fixings and DIY category, but with a much broader home improvement assortment.
• Travis Perkins: UK's largest builders' merchant serving trade customers with building materials, tools, and fixings. Overlaps with FFX's trade customer base and tools/fixings range but is primarily a building materials distributor.
• Homebase: UK home and garden improvement retailer with broad DIY assortment including tools, fixings and garden equipment. Adjacent competitor to FFX in the DIY segment but with a wider category mix.
• Amazon UK: Dominant online marketplace where trade and DIY customers increasingly purchase power tools and accessories. A meaningful indirect competitor to FFX's e-commerce channel, particularly on price and delivery speed.

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FFXToolSupplies
• Facebookfacebook.com/ffxtools
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ffx-tools

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Folkestone Fixings