What Clarke International does

Clarke International is a UK-based private trade supplier of tools and machinery, founded in 1969 and headquartered in Epping, Essex. The company manufactures and sources an extensive portfolio spanning power tools, air compressors, generators, water pumps, welding equipment, garage equipment, gardening machinery, pressure washers, workshop storage, cleaning equipment, and HVAC-adjacent products such as wood-burning stoves and air conditioning units. It operates discrete sub-brands including Vac King for cleaning equipment and Clarke Safe for security products, supported by an in-house R&D and quality control function that develops and tests new products before launch.

The business operates a strict B2B trade-only model: products are not sold directly to end consumers but are routed through authorized distributors, a dedicated trade account program, and an export team servicing international customers outside North America. Clarke monetizes primarily through one-time hardware sales across its catalogue, supplemented by an aftermarket spare-parts and service revenue stream with same-day technical response. Marketing and customer engagement run through the company e-commerce site, digital flipbook catalogues (Tools & Machinery, Stoves, Air Conditioning), and post-sale service infrastructure including a manual archive for current and discontinued products. Customers fall into two segments: a primary Trade & Professional base (contractors and commercial users) and a secondary DIY & Semi-Professional base.

With 51-100 employees, no disclosed parent company or external investors, and revenue that is not publicly reported, Clarke is a privately-held mid-sized trade supplier. The competitive position rests on 55+ years of UK brand recognition, broad SKU coverage across 30+ categories, an exclusive trade channel, and after-sales support infrastructure. Geographic distribution is claimed as worldwide with North America explicitly excluded as a current market.

Name

Clarke International

Legal name

Clarke International Ltd

Website

https://clarkeinternational.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Clarke International is a UK-based, privately-held trade supplier founded in 1969 that manufactures and distributes power tools, compressors, pumps, generators, garage and garden equipment to authorized distributors and trade accounts worldwide, excluding North America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Epping

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, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tools and Machinery Sales: One-time hardware sales of power tools, air compressors, generators, water pumps, welding equipment, garage equipment, gardening tools, and workshop storage products to trade customers and distributors.
2. Spare Parts and Service: Revenue generated from selling spare parts, components, and offering repair/maintenance services for Clarke power products. Most enquiries are responded to same day or by next working day.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Clarke International manufactures and supplies a wide range of tools and machinery — including power tools, air compressors, generators, water pumps, welding equipment, garage equipment, gardening machinery, cleaning equipment, and workshop storage — exclusively to the trade through authorized distributors and trade accounts. The company also provides spare parts, technical support, and after-sales service for its product lines under the Clarke and Vac King brands.

Product overview

Clarke International is a UK-based supplier of tools and machinery to the trade, established in 1969, operating as a business-to-business distributor. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of power tools, air compressors, garage equipment, garden equipment, generators, water pumps, welding equipment, pressure washers, cleaning equipment (including the Vac King branded wet & dry vacuum range), and specialized tools. The product line includes Clarke-branded oscillating multi-tools (CMFT series), drill stands (CDS series), work lights and torches (LED, UBL, MFL, PL series), water pumps (PF and PS series), plastic repair systems (PSW series), pressure washers (DLS, PLS series), and portable power solutions (PPS series PowerStations). The company also offers its own tool storage solutions under the Clarke Mechanics' Tool Chest Range. Products are sold exclusively to the trade through authorized distributors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Vac King: Vacuum cleaner and cleaning equipment sub-brand sold through Clarke International, including wet & dry vacuum cleaners, ash vacuums, and accessories.
• Clarke Safe

Products and services

• Clarke CMFT300QR Multi-Function Tool Professional oscillating multi-tool with quick release accessory system for trade users requiring versatile cutting, sanding, and scraping capability.
• Clarke SHHH24/150 Shhh Air Max 24 Litre Air Compressor Low noise oil-free air compressor (7cfm, 24L tank, 1.5HP, 230V) designed for trade workshops and users requiring ultra-quiet operation.
• Clarke PLS195B 6.5HP Heavy Duty Petrol Pressure Washer Heavy duty petrol-driven pressure washer (6.5HP, 182 bar / 2640psi) for trade and commercial cleaning applications.
• Clarke PPS600 Portable PowerStation Portable power station providing 600W output and 315Wh capacity for mobile electrical equipment; includes AC adaptor and solar panel connection cables.
• Clarke PF50 Petrol Powered 2" Full-Trash Water Pump Petrol powered 2 inch full-trash water pump with 208cc 5.4hp 4-stroke EURO 5 compliant engine; pumps solids up to 28mm.
• Clarke CTS18 250mm Table Saw 230V 1800W table saw with 250mm blade, stand, and extendable work table; 85mm max cutting thickness with adjustable 45-90 degree cuts.
• Clarke JS1224LiN 1200A 12/24V Jumpstart Lithium-ion jump starter with 1200A output and 12/24V compatibility for diesel engines up to 4L and petrol engines up to 6L.
• Vac King ASHVAC1200-B 1200W Stainless Steel Ash Vacuum Cleaner Stainless steel 1200W ash vacuum cleaner with 18L drum and 12L dust capacity for dry ash and fire debris collection, sold under the Vac King sub-brand.
• Clarke Gloucester 5kW Cast Iron Wood Burning Pedestal Stove Cast iron 5kW wood burning pedestal stove suitable for smokeless controlled zones with Energy Rating A and eco design ready compliance.
• Vac King CVAC25SSR 25L Stainless Steel Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner 25L stainless steel wet and dry vacuum with 1400W 230V motor, 3-in-1 wet/dry/blow function and on-board power take-off socket for connecting power tools.
• Clarke CEPG1 Airless Electric Spray Gun 400W airless electric spray gun with adjustable flow up to 800ml/min and 1000ml container for applying water-based paints.
• Clarke Contractor CPCP1 2HP Petrol Engine Driven Compactor Plate Petrol engine driven compactor plate with 2HP motor, 495x320mm plate size and 8000N centrifugal force for ground/site compaction work.
• Clarke PSW1 Hot Staple Kit for Plastic Repair and Welding Hot staple kit with three heat settings and LED work light for repairing and welding plastic components such as bumpers, dashboards and lamp holders.
• Clarke Landscaper CSP41LM 41cm Self Propelled Petrol Lawnmower Self-propelled petrol lawnmower with 41cm cutting width and recoil start from the Clarke Landscaper range for garden and outdoor use.
• Clarke DLS360 9HP Diesel Pressure Washer 9HP diesel pressure washer delivering 248 bar (3600psi) on a steel frame with large wheels for heavy duty site cleaning.
• Clarke CAPS1 Airless Paint Sprayer 650W airless paint sprayer delivering up to 207bar (3000psi) with direct suction system for applying water-based paints on walls, ceilings, decking and fences.
• Spares and Service Centre After-sales support service offering spare parts ordering, technical advice, and same-day or next working day response to product support enquiries for Clarke power products.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hilka: UK-based tool and garden equipment supplier with a long heritage, selling through trade and retail channels. Comparable to Clarke's garden, hand tool, and DIY-leaning ranges and UK trade distribution orientation.
• Sealey: UK-based manufacturer and distributor of professional tools, workshop equipment, and machinery sold largely through trade and distributor channels. Closely comparable to Clarke in target customer (trade), product breadth (power tools, garage, welding, materials handling), and trade-only distribution model.
• Draper Tools: UK-based supplier of hand tools, power tools, and workshop equipment sold to the trade and through distributors. Highly comparable to Clarke in heritage (long-established UK brand), channel model, and broad product range spanning power tools, hand tools, and accessories.
• SIP Industrial: UK supplier of industrial machinery including welders, compressors, and pressure washers, distributed via trade and dealer networks. Directly comparable to Clarke on machinery-heavy product categories, UK base, and trade-channel GTM.
• Silverline Tools: UK-based tool brand with a wide range of hand tools, power tool accessories, and workshop products distributed widely through trade and online. Comparable to Clarke in breadth of catalogue and trade/mid-market customer focus.

Broad incumbents

• Stanley Black & Decker: Global owner of DeWalt, Stanley, Black+Decker and Craftsman power tools and equipment. Operates broadly across the same product categories as Clarke but at vastly greater scale, R&D intensity, and global distribution, competing for the same professional trade customer in overlapping geographies.
• Bosch Power Tools: Global power tools, garden tools, and accessories brand owned by Robert Bosch. Overlaps directly with Clarke's power tool, garden, cleaning, and accessories ranges but competes from a much deeper R&D base, lithium-ion platform investments, and worldwide distribution.
• Techtronic Industries (Milwaukee, Ryobi): Global power tools, outdoor equipment, and floorcare company owning Milwaukee, Ryobi, and Hoover. Overlaps with Clarke's professional power tools, garden, and cleaning categories and competes directly for the UK trade and DIY customer with deeper technology and brand investment.
• Makita: Global manufacturer of professional cordless and corded power tools, garden equipment, and accessories. Comparable to Clarke on product categories (power tools, garden, cleaning) but competes from a far larger installed base, particularly in cordless platforms.

Emerging players

• BlueSpot Tools: UK and Ireland-based trade tool and accessories brand with a growing hand tools, power tool accessories, and consumables range. Partially comparable to Clarke as a smaller trade-focused challenger with a narrower but rapidly expanding catalogue.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

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 Clarke International