Hardware & General

What Hardware & General does

Hardware & General Supplies Limited is an Australian private hardware, building materials, plumbing, and timber distributor-retailer headquartered at 72 Winbourne Rd, Brookvale, NSW. Founded in 1960 and operating with 251-500 employees under ACN 000 332 105, the company runs a hybrid B2B/B2C model that serves trade contractors as its primary customer base and retail/DIY consumers as a secondary segment, through 26 physical store locations, an e-commerce storefront at hg.com.au (BigCommerce), a dedicated Trade Portal (tradeportal.hg.com.au), and phone/quote-based inside sales (1300 942 380).

The company's product portfolio spans 30+ categories including building materials, hand and power tools, plumbing, electrical, fencing, roofing, bathrooms, kitchens, outdoor power equipment, paint, plasterboard, timber, safety gear, workwear, rainwater tanks, guttering, and gardening supplies. Goods are sourced as authorized resale from third-party manufacturers and brands including Stanley, DeWalt, Makita, Bosch, Milwaukee, HiKOKI, Metabo, Stihl, Caroma, Dulux, Velux, James Hardie, and Rheem; the company does not manufacture proprietary products and operates with no proprietary technology beyond standard e-commerce tooling.

Hardware & General generates revenue primarily through unit-priced hardware sales to trade accounts and walk-in/online consumers under a pay-as-you-go billing model with GST applied at checkout, with potential trade-account discounts accessible via the Trade Portal. Some larger or specialized items are marked 'IN STORE ONLY' and handled through quote requests. Marketing is conducted via the e-commerce site, email newsletter, blog/articles content, and promotional campaigns including monthly specials and brand-tied giveaways (e.g., Rheem Rewards 'Win a trip to Singapore'). No revenue figures, ownership structure, leadership roster, M&A history, or funding events are disclosed in the available data.

Name

Hardware & General

Legal name

Hardware & General Supplies Limited

Website

https://hg.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Hardware & General Supplies Limited is an Australian private hardware, building materials, plumbing, and timber distributor-retailer serving trade contractors and retail/DIY consumers through 26 physical stores in NSW, a BigCommerce e-commerce site, and a dedicated Trade Portal.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Brookvale

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hardware product sales: Revenue generated through sale of hardware products including hand tools, power tools, building materials, plumbing, electrical supplies, and home improvement products to trade accounts and retail customers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Hardware & General Supplies Limited is a multi-category hardware and building supplies distributor and retailer selling hand tools, power tools, building materials, plumbing supplies, electrical supplies, timber, paint, bathrooms, kitchens, lighting, fencing, roofing, outdoor power equipment, safety gear, and home improvement products from leading third-party brands to trade/contractor accounts and retail/DIY consumers in Australia. Orders are fulfilled through a national footprint of 26 physical stores, an e-commerce site (hg.com.au), a dedicated trade portal (tradeportal.hg.com.au), and phone/quote ordering.

Product overview

Hardware & General Supplies Limited operates as a traditional B2B and B2C hardware retailer and wholesale supplier based in Australia. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of building materials, hardware, tools, and home improvement products across 30+ product categories. The product portfolio is organized as a broad retail/catalog model featuring multiple distinct product lines including building materials, power tools, hand tools, plumbing, electrical, fencing, roofing, bathroom and kitchen products, outdoor power equipment, and work wear. Products are sourced from major third-party manufacturers and brands including Martinez Tools, Kinetic Customs, Makita, Stanley, Bosch, DeWalt, Milwaukee, HiKOKI, Knipex, Caroma, Velux, James Hardie, and Dulux. The company operates physical retail stores across 26 locations in NSW, Australia and maintains an e-commerce platform (hg.com.au) powered by BigCommerce for online sales to trade customers and consumers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Power Tools Drills, drivers, grinders, saws, nailguns, routers, sanders, demolition breakers, generators, compressors, and combo kits from leading brands (Bosch, DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, HiKOKI) for trade professionals and DIY consumers.
• Hand Tools Hand tools including axes, caulking guns, chisels, clamps, hammers, knives, measuring tools, punches, riveters, screwdrivers, sockets, spanners, wrenches, and wheelbarrows for trade and DIY use.
• Building Materials & Hardware Construction materials including bricks, blocks, cement, concrete products, steel, fasteners, and building accessories for trade builders and renovators.
• Plumbing Plumbing supplies including plumbing accessories, drainage systems, pipe & fittings, and pumps for trade plumbers and renovators.
• Electrical Supplies Electrical trade supplies for licensed electricians and contractors.
• Bathrooms Complete bathroom solutions including basins, baths, bathroom accessories, Caroma toilets, showers, vanities, mirrors, and bathroom heating & ventilation for renovation projects.
• Kitchen Kitchen products including kitchen sinks and Insinkerator waste disposal units.
• Roofing Roofing materials including fascia, flashings, poly roofing, steel roofing, Colorbond roofing, galvanised roofing, Zincalume roofing, Velux skylights, and roofing accessories.
• Fencing Fencing solutions including aluminium fencing, Colorbond, electric fencing, glass fencing, timber fencing, wire fencing systems, and temporary fencing.
• Timber Timber products including structural timber, decking (composite, hardwood, treated pine), flooring, Highwood battens, and Hyne Timber.
• Paint & Decorating Products Paint and decoration supplies including interior paint, exterior paint, ceiling paint, spray paint, specialty paints, wood finishes, and paint accessories from Dulux and other brands.
• Hot Water Systems Hot water solutions including electric heat pump systems, electric instantaneous systems, gas continuous flow systems, and solar split systems with electric or gas boosters (Rheem brand).
• Locks & Door Hardware Security and door hardware including digital & smart locks, deadlocks, entrance locks, mortice locks, cabinetry hardware, door closers, door handles, hinges, padlocks, and gate hardware.
• Lighting & Ceiling Fans Lighting products including exterior lighting, interior lighting, commercial lighting (Eglo, Havit), light globes, exhaust fans, work lights, torches, and lighting accessories alongside ceiling fans (AC, DC, outdoor).
• Outdoor Power Equipment Outdoor power tools including Stihl chainsaws, cultivators, hedge trimmers, lawn mowers, leaf blowers, multi-function power heads, pole saws, wood chippers, and whipper snippers.
• Appliances Kitchen and household appliances including BBQs, cooktops, dishwashers, fridges, freezers, ovens, rangehoods, washers & dryers, heaters, TVs, and small appliances.
• Aircon & Ventilation Climate control products including portable air conditioners, split system air conditioners, and reverse-cycle air conditioning units.
• Plasterboard & Fibre Cement Sheet materials including plasterboard, fibre cement products, James Hardie products, Barestone, Versilux, Weatherboard, Soundstop, and Firestop.
• Ladders & Scaffolding Access equipment including aluminium plank ladders, extension ladders, multi-purpose ladders, platform ladders, single ladders, step ladders, work platforms, and scaffolding.
• Tiles Tile products including floor tiles, wall tiles, mosaic tiles, pavers, pool tiles, grouts, fixing materials, tile tools, and waterproofing solutions.
• Safety Gear Personal protective equipment including head protection, dust masks, respirators, ear protection, eye protection, first aid supplies, knee pads, safety harnesses, gloves, and safety lights.
• Work Wear Work clothing including work boots, men's workwear, and women's workwear.
• Doors Door products including interior doors, entrance doors, cavity units, and track & fittings.
• Windows Window products including Velux skylights, skylight accessories, and window accessories.
• Toolbelts, Tool Bags & Accessories Tool storage and carrying solutions from brands including Atlas 46, Badger, Diamondback, Martinez Tools, Kinetic Customs, and Occidental including complete sets and pouches.
• Rainwater Tanks Water storage solutions including round water tanks, slimline tanks, pumps, and water tank accessories.
• Gardening & Landscaping Products Garden and outdoor products including soils, fertilisers, garden hoses, gardening tools, pest control, irrigation products, sprinklers, and weed killer.
• Cleaning & Chemical Products Cleaning supplies including chemicals, bins, buckets, pressure washers, and general cleaning products.
• General Hardware General hardware items including batteries, letterboxes, packing materials, pressure washers, sawhorses, storage solutions, tarps, vehicle accessories, and safes.
• DA Accounts (Trade Account Service) Trade account service for trade professionals and contractors, providing account management, special pricing, quote-based ordering, and access to the dedicated Trade Portal at tradeportal.hg.com.au.

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

20 partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• TradeCominorOthersBrand partner offering hardware and door hardware products through Hardware & General's retail and trade distribution channels.
• EglominorOthersLighting brand partner supplying residential and commercial lighting products.
• Havit LightingminorOthersLighting brand partner for indoor and outdoor lighting solutions.
• Martinez ToolsminorOthersPremium hand tool brand offering titanium hammers and precision tools for trade professionals.
• CaromaminorOthersMajor bathroom and plumbing fixtures brand supplying basins, toilets, taps, and bathroom accessories.
• Kinetic CustomsminorOthersCustom tool manufacturer offering premium hammers, utility knives, and precision measuring tools.
• SoudalminorOthersSealants and adhesives brand for construction and renovation applications.
• WorkforceminorOthersTrade tool brand offering knives, scissors, and general hardware tools.
• DuluxminorOthersPaint and coatings brand supplying interior and exterior paints for residential and commercial projects.
• StanleyminorOthersMajor hand tools and power tools brand including Stanley, FatMax product lines.
• BoschminorOthersPower tools brand partner supplying drills, grinders, saws, and combo kits.
• DeWaltminorOthersProfessional power tools brand available through combo kits.
• MakitaminorOthersPower tools brand partner available through combo kits and individual tool purchases.
• MilwaukeeminorOthersProfessional power tools brand available through combo kits.
• MetabominorOthersPower tools brand available through combo kits.
• HiKOKIminorOthersPower tools brand available through combo kits.
• StihlminorOthersOutdoor power equipment brand including chainsaws and related tools.
• James HardieminorOthersBuilding materials brand supplying fibre cement cladding, sheets, and weatherboard products.
• VeluxminorOthersSkylights and roof windows brand featured prominently on homepage with dedicated marketing campaign.
• RheemminorOthersHot water systems brand with promotional campaign 'Win a trip to Singapore' tied to Rheem Rewards.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Bunnings Warehouse: Bunnings is Australia's dominant hardware and home improvement retailer, owned by Wesfarmers. It competes head-to-head with Hardware & General across most categories (tools, building materials, paint, outdoor equipment) and across both trade and DIY segments, but with significantly larger scale and a national footprint.
• Mitre 10: Mitre 10 is an Australian hardware retailer operating as a cooperative of independent store owners. It competes directly with Hardware & General on hardware, tools, building supplies, and home improvement categories, particularly across regional Australia.
• Home Timber and Hardware (HTH): HTH is a Metcash-operated network of independent hardware and timber retailers in Australia. Like Hardware & General, it serves both trade customers and DIY consumers with a broad assortment of hardware, timber, and building supplies.
• Total Tools: Total Tools is an Australian specialty power and hand tools retailer operating multiple stores and an e-commerce site. It directly competes with Hardware & General's Power Tools and Hand Tools categories and serves a similar trade professional base.

Regional players

• Reece Limited: Reece is Australia's largest plumbing and bathroom products distributor. While more specialized than Hardware & General, it competes in overlapping categories (plumbing supplies, bathrooms, hot water) and shares the trade-account-driven business model.
• Tradelink: Tradelink is an Australian specialist plumbing supplies distributor serving trade plumbers. Comparable to Hardware & General as a trade-focused distributor in the Australian building products channel, though narrower in category scope.

Broad incumbents

• Blackwoods: Blackwoods is a leading Australian distributor of industrial and MRO supplies, including tools, safety gear, and maintenance products. Comparable to Hardware & General's trade-account distribution model and overlapping product lines in tools, safety, and fasteners.
• The Home Depot: Home Depot is the world's largest home improvement specialty retailer. While not operating in Australia, it represents the global archetype for Hardware & General's combined retail/wholesale hardware model and category breadth.
• Lowe's: Lowe's is a major North American home improvement retailer with a similar dual retail-pro business model and broad assortment spanning tools, building materials, plumbing, and appliances. Reference competitor for Hardware & General's omnichannel trade/retail positioning.

Emerging players

• Toolstation: Toolstation is a trade-focused tools and hardware supplier with a growing Australian presence. It competes with Hardware & General for trade customers in tools, fasteners, and consumables with an emphasis on speed and convenience.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/hardwareandgeneral
• Facebookfacebook.com/hardwareandgeneral
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hardwarengeneral

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Hardware & General