What Hilka does

Hilka Tools (UK) Limited is a private UK tool wholesaler and retailer headquartered at 1 Roebuck Place, Chessington, Surrey, with a continuous selling history of more than 50 years. The company distributes a broad 16-category catalogue spanning engineering and auto tools (socket sets, ratchets, spanners, screwdrivers, diagnostic equipment), powertool accessories (drill bits, saw blades, cutting discs, holesaws, SDS sets), PPE (FFP-rated dust masks, CE-marked safety glasses, work gloves, knee pads, ear defenders), tool storage, builders' and plumbers' tools, woodworking, measuring, decorating, garden and landscaping, security (padlocks), auto accessories (compressors, jacks, battery chargers), electrical items, and general hardware. Product lines are organised under three branded umbrellas: the flagship Hilka proprietary range, Hilka Power Tools and value-tier Max Power Tools sub-brands, and the RAC retailer-branded programme covering auto electric, compressors, foot pumps, wheel maintenance, pressure washers, and hand tools.

The business operates as a B2B-only trade wholesaler. Trade customers and stockists must apply for and be approved on an account basis to access pricing; the public-facing website (hilka.co.uk) gates pricing behind trade login. Distribution runs through three channels: a UK trade stockist network (with a stockist finder tool), a direct-delivery service covering 170+ products with tiered shipping (free over £150 mainland UK / £500 Northern Ireland; £12 next-day option), and the B2B e-commerce trade portal itself. Marketing is conducted via the company website, an annual printed catalogue (2026 edition referenced), and the stockist channel. Selected products carry a lifetime guarantee, and PPE lines are certified to EN 149:2001 (FFP masks) and CE (safety glasses). Hilka is an independent private limited company with no disclosed parent, subsidiaries, funding rounds, M&A activity, or public listing.

Name

Hilka

Legal name

Hilka Tools (UK) Limited

Website

https://hilka.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hilka Tools (UK) Limited is a UK-based B2B tool wholesaler with 50+ years of brand heritage, selling hand tools, power tools, accessories, and PPE through trade accounts, an online portal, and a UK stockist network, serving mechanics, builders, and trade retailers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hand Tools & Power Tools

NAICS

Cutlery and Handtool Manufacturing (33221), Saw Blade and Handtool Manufacturing (332216)

SIC

Retail-Auto & Home Supply Stores (5531), Cutlery, Handtools & General Hardware (3420)

akta.pro primary industry

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

Keywords

• Hand tools
• Power tools
• Trade tool distribution
• PPE equipment
• Automotive tools

Headquarters

HQ city

Chessington

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Wholesale Tool Sales: Hilka sells tools and accessories to trade customers and retailers through wholesale accounts. Products are sold at trade prices with minimum order quantities. The company operates primarily B2B with account-based pricing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Hilka Tools (UK) Limited is a UK-based trade tool supplier that manufactures and distributes hand tools, power tools, accessories, PPE, and tool storage sold primarily through B2B wholesale accounts and trade stockists. The portfolio spans 16 categories including engineering/auto tools, builder and plumber tools, woodworking tools, garden tools, decorating tools, and security products, with owned sub-brands Hilka Power Tools, Max Power Tools, and the retailer-branded RAC range.

Product overview

Hilka Tools (UK) Ltd. is a UK-based tool retailer with over 50 years of experience, offering a comprehensive portfolio of hand tools, power tools, and accessories through their e-commerce platform and stockist network. The product portfolio includes multiple sub-brands: Hilka Power Tools and Max Power Tools as proprietary power tool lines, and RAC as a retailer-branded range. Core product categories span Engineering/Auto tools (socket sets, ratchets, spanners, screwdrivers, diagnostic equipment), Powertool Accessories (drill bits, saw blades, wire brushes, cutting discs, holesaws, SDS equipment), PPE (dust masks, safety glasses, work gloves, knee pads, ear defenders), Tool Storage (boxes, bags, workbenches, garage storage), Builders & Plumbers tools, Garden & Landscaping tools, Woodworking tools, Measuring tools, Decorating tools, Security products (padlocks), Auto Accessories, and General Items. Products are sold with a lifetime guarantee on selected items and direct delivery available for over 170 products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hilka Power Tools: Power tools brand under the Hilka Tools umbrella
• Max Power Tools
• RAC

Products and services

• Hilka Power Tools Hilka-branded power tools including drills, grinders, and other powered equipment for professional and DIY use.
• Max Power Tools Value-focused power tool sub-brand offering alternative options within the Hilka portfolio.
• Engineering / Auto Tools Professional-grade mechanics tools including socket sets, ratchets, spanners, screwdrivers, pliers, and diagnostic equipment for automotive and engineering applications.
• Powertool Accessories Accessories for power tools including drill bits, saw blades, wire brushes, cutting discs, holesaws, SDS drills, chisels, and various bit sets.
• PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) Safety equipment including dust masks (FFP1/FFP2/FFP3 rated), safety glasses, work gloves, knee pads, ear defenders, and safety protection sets.
• Tool Storage Storage solutions including tool boxes, bags, belts, workbenches, garage storage units, professional chests and cabinets, and site/van safes.
• RAC Branded Products Retailer-branded tools and equipment under the RAC label including auto electric tools, air compressors, foot pumps, wheel maintenance items, pressure washers, and hand tools for exclusive resale by partner retailers.
• Builders & Plumbers Tools Hand tools for construction and plumbing including hammers, wrecking bars, knives, staple guns, chisels, spirit levels, trowels, pipe tools, and pipe wrenches.
• Garden & Landscaping Tools Outdoor tools including fencing tools, paving brushes, axes, mauls, and general garden tools.
• Woodworking Tools Woodworking hand tools including chisels, planes, saws, clamps, and marking tools.
• Measuring Tools Precision measuring instruments including tape measures, wheel measures, rulers, squares, and precision measuring tools.
• Decorating Tools Painting and finishing tools including paint mixers, caulking guns, scrapers, paint brushes, and abrasives.
• Security Products Locks and security equipment including brass padlocks, laminated padlocks, weather-resistant padlocks, and high-security padlocks.
• Auto Accessories Automotive accessories including air impact wrenches, air tools, compressors, jacks, axle stands, garage equipment, creepers, battery chargers, and car care products.
• Electrical Items Electrical tools and supplies including lighting equipment and related electrical items.
• General Items Miscellaneous tools and supplies including window cleaners, cable ties, tape, glue, matting, tarpaulins, hardware assortments, and rope.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• RAC (Retailer Associated Commodity)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRAC branded product programme offering retailers exclusive product lines including RAC Auto Electric, RAC Air Compressors, RAC Foot Pumps, RAC Wheel Maintenance, RAC Pressure Washers, and RAC Hand Tools. Products carry the RAC brand for retailer-specific resale.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Facom: Premium professional hand tool brand (owned by Stanley Black & Decker) serving automotive and industrial trades - comparable professional-grade product categories and trade distribution.
• Bahco (SNA Europe): Established European hand tool brand (owned by Snap-on) covering spanners, sockets, screwdrivers, and saws sold through trade distribution - directly overlapping professional hand tool range.
• CK Tools (Carl Kammerling): UK-based manufacturer of professional hand tools (pliers, screwdrivers, pliers) and tool storage sold through electrical and trade wholesalers - same trade-stockist go-to-market as Hilka.
• Silverline Tools: UK-headquartered tool brand offering broad hand and power tool ranges at value price points through trade and retail channels, competing head-to-head with Hilka's mid-market positioning.
• Draper Tools: UK-based hand and power tool manufacturer/wholesaler with multi-decade heritage selling through trade stockists - nearly identical customer base, channel model, and product breadth to Hilka.
• Wolfcraft: European tool and accessory manufacturer focused on DIY and trade categories (drilling accessories, clamps, saws) - comparable mid-market positioning and trade/wholesale distribution.
• Sealey: UK trade tools supplier with extensive catalogue across hand tools, power tools, automotive, and PPE - directly comparable product range, B2B stockist channel, and trade customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Stanley Black & Decker: Global tool conglomerate owning Stanley, DeWalt, Facom, Bahco and others - broad incumbent whose sub-brands compete across Hilka's entire product range with significantly larger R&D and brand budgets.
• Bosch (Professional Power Tools): Global leader in power tools and accessories with a professional trade range - overlapping Hilka's power tool, accessories, and measuring categories with strong brand pull among UK tradespeople.

Emerging players

• Magnusson (Screwfix own brand): Screwfix's exclusive own-brand tool range competing directly on price and accessibility in the UK trade channel - represents the private-label/threat Hilka's RAC programme mirrors.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hilkatools
• Facebookfacebook.com/HilkaTools
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hilka-tools-uk-ltd

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 Hilka