What Findel does

Findel is a UK-based educational resources supplier operating as a multi-brand platform serving schools, nurseries, further and higher education institutions, local authorities, multi-academy trusts, and grassroots community organisations. The business traces its heritage to 1817 through the Philip Harris chemistry business, was established in its current form as a mail-order operation in 1958, and has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of France's Manutan Group since 2019. Findel reaches 34,000+ schools and nurseries across 130+ countries with a catalogue of 32,000+ products spanning classroom consumables, science and laboratory equipment, PE and sports gear, SEND resources, furniture, and facilities supplies.

The company operates through a portfolio of specialist sub-brands — Hope, GLS, Davies Sports, Philip Harris, EuHu, Spa4Schools, AtoZ Supplies, Classmates, Unilab, LDA, Shoshin, Findel Everyday — plus acquired brands Scandibørn (2022) and CES Holdings (2026). Its technology layer centres on the Smart Ordering toolkit: Smart Connect punches out into school Financial Management Systems for automated invoicing and reconciliation; Smart Flow provides configurable approval hierarchies and spending limits; Quick Order, Share Basket, Excel Basket, and My Account round out the workflow. Operations are anchored by a 386,000 sq ft automated distribution centre in Nottingham and a 16,000 sq ft head office in Hyde, with a Dubai regional hub (developed with Dryad Education) serving the Middle East. The EuHu platform adds CPD-accredited, curriculum-aligned digital content and hosts a teacher-led incubator programme.

Findel's revenue model is primarily transactional product sales complemented by professional services (sensory room design and installation, most projects completed within 8–10 weeks) and a growing digital learning content layer on EuHu. Smart Ordering is provided free of charge to drive product attach, while sensory room equipment is available via flexible leasing through Axis Leasing and Siemens Financial Services (terms up to 5 years). The business monetises through brand e-commerce sites, direct enterprise sales into MATs and local authorities, the Dubai regional hub for international distribution, and a sustainability-anchored procurement story (ISO 9001/14001/45001, SBTi-validated 1.5°C pathway, Climate Pledge signatory, net-zero by 2040). Community reach is extended via the Findel Foundation (>£100,000 annually) and partnerships with Burnley FC in The Community, Oldham Athletic Community Trust, the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, and other educational charities.

Name

Findel

Legal name

Findel

Website

https://findel.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Findel is a UK-based educational resources supplier serving over 34,000 schools and nurseries across 130+ countries with 32,000+ products via a multi-brand platform (Hope, GLS, Davies Sports, Philip Harris, EuHu, Spa4Schools, AtoZ Supplies), complemented by Smart Ordering e-procurement tools and the EuHu digital learning platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Supplies and Resources

NAICS

Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, Book, and Miscellaneous Retailers (459), Office Supplies and Stationery Retailers (459410)

SIC

Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949), Games, Toys & Children's Vehicles (No Dolls & Bicycles) (3944)

akta.pro primary industry

Instructional Equipment & Classroom Tools (Whiteboards, Lab Kits, Manipulatives) (EDAEAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Science & STEM Lab Equipment & Supplies (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Makerspaces) (EDAEAIAC), Physical Education & Athletics Equipment (Gym, Sports Gear, Scoreboards) (EDAEAIAG), Robotics Kits, Parts & Lab Equipment Providers (Education-Focused) (EDAMADAN)

Keywords

• Educational resources supply
• Classroom equipment distribution
• School procurement solutions
• Science lab equipment
• PE and sports gear

Headquarters

HQ city

Hyde

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Educational Products Sales: Sale of educational resources, classroom equipment, sports and PE gear, science and laboratory materials, furniture, and facilities supplies through multiple brand websites and direct ordering channels.
2. Sensory Room Design & Installation: Fully managed sensory room design service from consultation through installation, with flexible leasing solutions available through partners Axis Leasing and Siemens Financial Services.
3. Smart Ordering Solutions: Free e-procurement solutions (Smart Connect, Smart Flow, Share Basket, Quick Order) that streamline ordering for schools while driving product sales through integration.
4. Digital Learning Content: CPD-accredited lessons and curriculum-aligned content distributed through EuHu platform, including incubator programme partnerships with teacher-led content creators.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Findel supplies educational resources, classroom equipment, science lab materials, PE and sports gear, SEND solutions, and furniture/facilities supplies to schools, nurseries, and educational institutions through a family of specialist brands. The company also offers free Smart Ordering e-procurement tools with school Financial Management System integration and a fully managed Sensory Room Design & Installation service for inclusive education environments.

Product overview

Findel is an educational resources company operating as a unified platform with a family of specialist brands including Hope, GLS, Davies Sports, Philip Harris, EuHu, Spa4Schools and AtoZ Supplies. The company offers 32,000+ products across classroom equipment, sports/PE gear, science/lab materials, digital learning tools, and furniture/facilities supply. Findel also provides services including a Smart Ordering e-procurement toolkit with FMS integration capabilities, a Sensory Room Design Service for SEND environments, and the EuHu learning platform hosting an incubator programme for teacher-led content creators. Exclusive branded ranges include Classmates (sustainable own-label), Findel Everyday, Unilab, LDA, and Shoshin. The company serves over 34,000 schools and nurseries across 130+ countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hope: Trusted classroom resources that inspire confident teaching and impactful learning for over 130 years.
• GLS
• Davies Sports
• Philip Harris
• EuHu
• Spa4Schools
• AtoZ Supplies
• Classmates
• Unilab
• LDA
• Shoshin
• Findel Everyday
• Findel Foundation

Products and services

• Hope Classroom resources and teaching supplies brand supporting schools and nurseries with curriculum essentials and innovative tools for over 130 years, helping teachers create meaningful learning experiences.
• GLS Procurement partner for schools and multi-academy trusts providing everyday essentials through to specialist resources, simplifying procurement management.
• Davies Sports High-quality PE and sports equipment supplier for schools, colleges, universities and grassroots clubs, supporting teachers, coaches and pupils with innovation and expertise.
• Philip Harris Science education specialist offering high-quality laboratory equipment and resources, supporting hands-on learning, practical experiments and scientific discovery in schools.
• EuHu Teacher-led learning hub providing CPD-accredited, curriculum-aligned lessons, resources and practical tools to empower educators and improve learning outcomes, including an incubator programme for teacher-led content creators.
• Spa4Schools Education products supplier serving schools across Northern Ireland with locally-based sales support, offering classroom consumables through to curriculum essentials.
• AtoZ Supplies Value-focused everyday classroom essentials helping teachers stretch budgets further without compromising on quality or impact.
• Classmates Own-brand product range launched in 1998 (originally Dudley Choice), used by over 16,000 schools and nurseries, focusing on sustainable product alternatives with reduced single-use plastics.
• Smart Ordering Toolkit Free e-procurement solutions including Smart Connect (FMS integration via punchout), Smart Flow (approval workflows), Share Basket, Quick Order, Excel Baskets, and My Account portal for streamlined school procurement.
• Sensory Room Design Service Fully managed sensory room design and installation service for creating high-quality inclusive sensory environments for SEND pupils, with flexible leasing options through Axis Leasing and Siemens Financial Services and most projects completed within 8-10 weeks.
• Unilab Science products brand powered by Philip Harris offering comprehensive school science needs including glassware, specimens and laboratory equipment, spanning over 50 years.
• E.a.R.L Coding Robot Award-winning coding robot designed and developed by Hope Education's in-house coding education specialists to make coding accessible to all primary-aged children, popular from UK to UAE with resources and accessories.
• Electronic Phonics Two-time award finalist tactile and interactive phonics resource that combines technology with hands-on learning to create a multi-sensory phonics experience without the use of a screen or app.
• Letters and Sounds Socks Phonics socks designed for children to embed phonic knowledge and practise word building, fully aligned to the Letters and Sounds programme and an award-winning bestseller.
• SEND Services Special educational needs and disabilities resources and solutions including sensory equipment, SEND-specific products and support services for inclusive education.

Quantifiable outcome

• Supporting 580+ pupils daily through breakfast clubs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Oldham Athletic Community TrustcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 December 2025Partnership to support OACT's education and community programmes. Davies Sports provides high-quality sports equipment while wider Findel brands contribute classroom and SEND resources.
• Chester ZoominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 October 2025Partnership to provide conservation-focused content for classrooms across the UK, available on the EuHu platform in 2025. Chester Zoo provides free conservation toolkits and sustainability resources to teachers, extending their educational outreach.
• Burnley FC in The CommunitycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 February 2025Partnership with the official charity of Burnley Football Club to support local schools. Findel invests over £100,000 annually through the Findel Foundation. BFCiTC delivers programmes across 60 schools engaging 9,734 young people.
• Place2BecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Charity partner for FY25. Children's mental health charity providing vital mental health support in schools, helping children and young people improve their emotional wellbeing through counseling services.
• Number FuncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025York-based Number Fun joined Findel's EuHu incubator programme, bringing 600+ creative maths videos for children aged 3-11. Uses visualisation, animation, vocabulary, story, song and humour for conceptual understanding.
• Scode SpellingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Scode Spelling joined EuHu incubator programme providing a systematic spelling scheme for Years 2-6, covering all aspects of the national curriculum through carefully structured lessons developed by experienced educators.
• Greater Manchester Combined AuthorityminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership through Start Small, Dream Big initiative (£2.6m pilot programme) encouraging children from disadvantaged backgrounds to dream big about future careers. Findel hosted pupils from Flowery Field Primary School.
• Rio Ferdinand FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnership to deliver a bespoke 'Communities Programme' across Manchester, Tameside, Oldham, and Salford. Three-year programme offering skills development in Sport, Music, Digital, Media and Technology for young people, targeting 2,000 children by April 2026.
• DPDcoreOthers · 1 January 2023Parcel carrier of choice for outbound logistics. DPD leads in green parcel deliveries with the largest electric fleet in the UK. In FY23, just under 130,000 parcels were delivered on electric-only vehicles with 95% of remaining fleet using HVO renewable diesel.
• Greggs FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Partnership to support breakfast clubs for 500+ children per year focusing on areas of high deprivation across the UK. Currently supporting seven breakfast clubs with ambition to expand, serving 580+ pupils daily.
• Dryad EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Strategic partner for Dubai Regional Hub development. Dryad Education enables Findel to meet specific needs of regional customers in U.A.E and Middle East, providing education resources quickly and accurately.
• Axis Leasing and Siemens Financial ServicesminorOthersFinance partners for sensory room equipment leasing solutions, allowing schools to spread costs over flexible terms up to 5 years while accessing equipment needed immediately.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• TTS Group: TTS Group is one of the UK's largest educational resources suppliers, selling classroom furniture, learning resources, and STEM equipment to schools and nurseries. Highly comparable to Findel in product range, customer base (UK primary schools), and distribution model.
• Consortium Trust: Consortium Trust provides procurement services and educational supplies to multi-academy trusts and schools across the UK. Directly comparable to Findel in serving MATs and school groups with centralized procurement solutions.
• YPO (Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation): YPO is a public sector procurement organization serving UK schools and local authorities with educational supplies, office products, and facilities supplies. Directly comparable to Findel's GLS brand in serving MATs and local authority procurement.
• ESPO (Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation): ESPO is a local authority-owned purchasing organization providing educational and office supplies to UK schools and public sector bodies. Comparable to Findel's procurement solutions for schools and local authorities.
• Banner Group: Banner is a UK supplier of office supplies, educational resources, and facilities products to schools, businesses, and public sector. Comparable to Findel in product mix (classroom essentials, stationery, office supplies) and UK distribution model.

Broad incumbents

• RM plc: RM plc is a UK-listed educational technology and resources company providing hardware, software, and teaching resources to schools. Comparable to Findel in serving UK schools with educational resources, though more focused on technology products.
• Staples UK: Staples UK is a major office supplies retailer serving businesses and public sector including schools. Comparable to Findel in supplying office and classroom essentials to UK schools, though broader business customer base.
• Manutan International: Manutan International is Findel's parent company, a European B2B distribution group serving businesses, schools, and public sector with office, educational, and industrial supplies. Comparable as the parent entity and through sibling subsidiaries serving education markets across Europe.

Emerging players

• Twinkl: Twinkl is a UK-based digital educational resources publisher offering teaching materials, lesson plans, and printable resources via subscription. Comparable to Findel's EuHu platform in providing curriculum-aligned content to UK educators, though digital-only.

Regional players

• Papeteries Pichon: Papeteries Pichon is a France-based Manutan subsidiary supplying educational resources to French schools and local authorities. Comparable to Findel as a sibling education-focused subsidiary, though serving the French market primarily.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/findel
• Xx.com/findeleducation
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A2 records

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Findel