Instock

What Instock does

Instock Group is a UK-based independent distributor of cleaning, janitorial, washroom hygiene, and non-food catering supplies serving institutional B2B clients across the United Kingdom. Founded in 1974 and headquartered in Aberdeen, the company operates a multi-category catalogue spanning cleaning chemicals, catering disposables, tableware, kitchenware, restaurant and bar supplies, and catering appliances, distributing partner brands including Vegware (compostable packaging), Steelite Utopia (tableware), Diversey (cleaning chemicals), and Tork (washroom systems). Customer segments explicitly served include schools, prisons, universities, healthcare facilities, and facilities management companies, with ordering available via an e-commerce catalogue platform, a national phone sales line, and direct email, supported by next-day delivery and free delivery above £250 ex. VAT. The company holds ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 accreditations.

Beyond core distribution, Instock operates two wholly-owned adjacent service divisions: Prois Hospitality, providing catering equipment design, refurbishment, and fit-out services for commercial catering sites, and Prois Air, providing fresh air intake/extraction systems and fire suppression system design and installation. The business model is transactional and unit-based (pay-as-you-go catalogue sales) with no disclosed subscription, recurring contract, or SaaS revenue mechanics. Revenue is generated through catalogue product sales across multiple categories and geographies, supplemented by project-based revenue from the Prois service divisions. The company is privately held (Ltd.) with no disclosed funding, institutional investors, or financial performance data.

Name

Instock

Legal name

Instock Ltd.

Website

https://instockgroup.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Instock Group is a UK-based independent distributor of cleaning, janitorial, and non-food catering supplies, serving institutional B2B clients including schools, prisons, universities, healthcare facilities, and facilities management companies since 1974.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Janitorial and Catering Supplies Distribution

SIC

Wholesale-Professional & Commercial Equipment & Supplies (5040), Wholesale-Paper & Paper Products (5110)

akta.pro primary industry

Restaurant & Commercial Kitchen Equipment Wholesale (AFAIALAB)

Keywords

• Janitorial supplies distribution
• Catering disposables wholesale
• Commercial cleaning chemicals
• Washroom hygiene products
• Institutional catering supplies

Headquarters

HQ city

Aberdeen

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Product Distribution: Instock generates revenue through the distribution and sale of cleaning, janitorial, catering, and hospitality supplies to institutional clients. Revenue is derived from product sales across multiple categories including cleaning chemicals, catering disposables, tableware, kitchenware, and catering equipment. The business operates on a transactional model with next-day delivery capabilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Instock distributes cleaning, janitorial, washroom hygiene, catering disposables, tableware, glassware, kitchenware, and catering-appliance products to UK institutional and commercial customers. Orders are placed through its e-commerce platform, national phone sales team, or direct email, with next-day delivery available across the United Kingdom. Specialist ranges for hospitality and airline catering are offered under the Prois Hospitality and Prois Air divisions.

Product overview

Instock Group operates as a UK-based distributor of cleaning and non-food catering supplies, offering a comprehensive portfolio organized across seven core product categories: Cleaning & Janitorial Supplies (chemicals, janitorial equipment, hygiene products), Washroom & Paper Hygiene (paper products, hand soaps), Catering Disposables (single-use items, compostable packaging), Tableware (glassware, crockery, cutlery), Restaurant & Bar Supplies (bar equipment, cocktail accessories), Kitchenware & Catering Appliances (cookware, knives, food storage, chef's clothing), and a Clearance section. The company also distributes branded partner products including Vegware (compostable packaging), Steelite Utopia (hospitality tabletop), Diversey (cleaning chemicals), and Tork (washroom systems). Through its Prois division, the company additionally offers catering equipment design and fit-out services for commercial catering operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Prois Hospitality: One of the UK's leading suppliers in Catering Equipment, Design, Refurbishment & Fit-Out business for commercial catering sites of all sizes.
• Prois Air

Products and services

• Cleaning & Janitorial Supplies Cleaning chemicals, janitorial equipment, and related consumables sold to UK institutional and commercial customers for daily facility cleaning operations.
• Washroom & Paper Hygiene Products Washroom consumables and paper hygiene products supplied to UK institutional and commercial customers for staff and visitor washrooms.
• Catering Disposables Single-use catering disposables supplied to UK hospitality, healthcare, education, and public-sector buyers for food service operations.
• Tableware Plates, bowls, and serving items supplied to UK hospitality and institutional food-service operators.
• Restaurant & Bar Supplies Glassware, barware, and front-of-house restaurant supplies supplied to UK hospitality operators.
• Kitchenware & Catering Appliances Kitchenware, chef's knives, utensils, and catering appliances supplied to UK commercial kitchens in hospitality, healthcare, education, and public-sector settings.
• Prois Hospitality Division Specialist division of Instock offering curated hospitality ranges including tableware, glassware, kitchenware, and catering consumables for hotels, restaurants, and bars in the UK.
• Prois Air Division Specialist division of Instock supplying disposables and consumables tailored to the airline catering industry in the UK.

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• VegwareminorOthersVegware is a trusted brand of plant-based compostable food packaging distributed by Instock. Instock offers a new biodegradable and compostable range from Vegware, positioning sustainable options within their catering disposables category.
• Steelite UtopiaminorOthersSteelite Utopia offers an unrivalled product range including tabletop, glassware, lighting, and service solutions designed for the hospitality industry. Distributed through Instock's tableware category.
• DiverseyminorOthersDiversey offers a wide range of products and services essential for cleaning and hygiene across various sectors including healthcare, hospitality, food processing, and commercial cleaning. Distributed through Instock's cleaning and janitorial category.
• Tork (SCA)minorOthersTork is a leading brand for professional hygiene products. Instock features Tork products prominently on their website, including SmartOne toilet roll systems and Torkmatic roll towel dispensers with claims of enhanced cleaning efficiency.
• Prois HospitalitycoreOthersProis is Instock's own division and one of the UK's leading suppliers in Catering Equipment, Design, Refurbishment & Fit-Out business for commercial catering sites of all sizes. This is an internal business unit rather than an external partnership.
• Prois AircoreOthersProis Air handles the design and installation of Fresh Air Intake & Extraction systems and Fire Suppression systems. This is an internal business unit rather than an external partnership.
• Safety First Aid GroupminorOthersSafety First Aid Group partnered with Instock to donate large first aid kits to British Dressage regions. Collaborative community initiative demonstrating supplier relationships.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• PHS Group: UK-based provider of washroom hygiene, floorcare, and facility services. Overlaps with Instock's washroom, paper hygiene, and cleaning chemicals categories for institutional customers.
• Lyreco: Major European distributor of workplace, cleaning, and catering supplies. Competes directly for the same institutional and facilities management customers in the UK.
• Brakes Group: Major UK foodservice distributor (owned by Sysco). Competes with Instock for catering supplies, disposables, and kitchenware sales to institutional and foodservice customers.
• Robert Scott & Sons: UK manufacturer and distributor of cleaning supplies and janitorial products. Direct peer in the cleaning and janitorial category with overlapping institutional customers.
• Lockhart Catering Equipment: UK supplier of professional catering equipment, tableware, and light equipment. Directly comparable in catering equipment distribution to hospitality and institutional customers.
• Nisbets: UK-based supplier of professional catering equipment, tableware, and kitchen supplies. Direct competitor in the catering equipment and kitchenware categories that Instock distributes.
• Bunzl plc: The largest UK and international distributor of cleaning, hygiene, catering, and safety supplies to institutional buyers. Closest direct peer given overlap in product range, B2B distribution model, and institutional customer base.

Emerging players

• Catershop: UK online retailer of catering supplies, disposables, and kitchenware. Competes in overlapping product categories but with a more direct-to-customer online focus rather than full institutional distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/InstockGroup
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/instock-group/about
• Instagraminstagram.com/instockgroup/?hl=en

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries2 records

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 Instock