Highland Industrial Supplies

What Highland Industrial Supplies does

Highland Industrial Supplies Ltd is a family-owned industrial supplies retailer founded in 1985 and headquartered at 36 Seafield Road, Inverness, Scotland. The company operates seven physical depots across Scotland — Inverness (headquarters), Elgin, Turriff, Dundee, Perth, Fort William, and Kirkwall — alongside an e-commerce storefront at hisltd.co.uk, and self-describes as Scotland's largest independent retailer in its field. Its catalogue spans 26+ major categories including power tools, hand tools, building supplies, clothing/workwear, welding and gas equipment, industrial cleaning, catering and hygiene supplies, agricultural and fencing products, automotive, civil engineering supplies, outdoors and gardening, site safety and PPE, timber/roofing/insulation, and windows and doors. The product mix combines authorised-dealer arrangements with major brands (Milwaukee, Makita, STIHL, DeWalt, Bosch Professional, Carhartt, Helly Hansen, Portwest, EGO, ESAB, Le Creuset, VELUX) with own-brand and sub-brand lines such as HIS Vacuums and BUNKER By Draper.

The business runs a dual B2B/B2C go-to-market. Retail and DIY consumers purchase through depots or the e-commerce site at VAT-inclusive unit pricing using card, PayPal, or cheque, with a single delivery charge per order or depot collection. Trade and enterprise customers — including heavy industry and oil & gas buyers worldwide, catering and hotel trades across the UK, plus local government, schools, colleges, and charities — place orders via phone, fax, or email against pro-forma invoices and purchase orders. The company is ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 certified and holds UVDB and Achilles registrations that pre-qualify it for utility and infrastructure procurement. Revenue is generated entirely through one-time product sales across these channels; there is no subscription, software, or licensing component. Headcount is 101-250 employees and the company remains privately held by the founding family with no external investment, funding rounds, or M&A activity disclosed.

The underlying technology stack is a standard e-commerce platform integrated with physical retail operations; there is no proprietary software, app, API, or AI capability in evidence. Marketing runs through an owned blog plus organic social (Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn), email, and principal-led events such as the Makita Innovation Tour 2026. Geographic operations are concentrated in Scotland and the wider UK for most categories, with global fulfilment for heavy-industry and oil & gas contracts specifically. There are no subsidiaries, no patents or trademarks disclosed, and no leadership team information is available beyond the founding family ownership structure.

Name

Highland Industrial Supplies

Legal name

Highland Industrial Supplies Ltd

Website

https://hisltd.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Highland Industrial Supplies is a family-owned Scottish industrial supplies retailer founded in 1985 in Inverness, operating seven depots and an e-commerce platform across 26+ product categories for trade, heavy industry, government, catering, agriculture, and DIY consumers throughout the UK.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Supplies Retail

NAICS

Industrial Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (42384), Industrial Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (423840), Hardware Retailers (44414), Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers (444), Industrial Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers (42383)

SIC

Wholesale-Hardware & Plumbing & Heating Equipment & Supplies (5070), Wholesale-Machinery, Equipment & Supplies (5080), Wholesale-Industrial Machinery & Equipment (5084)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Workplace/Jobsite Supplies Retail (Site Consumables, Tarps, Ropes, Chains) (CRAIADAN), Outdoor Power Equipment Parts & Service Retail (CRAIADAH), Workshop Tools, Equipment & Lift Systems Distribution (TLAKAOAM), Bar & Beverage Service Supplies Wholesale (AFAIALAG)

Keywords

• Industrial supplies
• Power tools
• Workwear and PPE
• Building materials
• Agricultural equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Inverness

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Product Sales - Retail: Direct product sales to consumers through retail stores and e-commerce website, with pricing that includes VAT and various payment methods accepted including credit cards and PayPal.
2. Product Sales - Trade/B2B: B2B sales to trade customers, heavy industry, oil and gas sector, and catering/hotel trades. Accepts purchase orders, pro-forma invoices, and bulk orders from government bodies, schools, charities, and businesses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Highland Industrial Supplies is a multi-category industrial and trade supplies retailer operating 7 depots across Scotland and an e-commerce website. It sells clothing, gas equipment, welding supplies, cleaning products, catering items, hand tools, power tools, building materials, agricultural equipment, and gardening/outdoor products to both trade professionals and retail/DIY consumers, plus heavy industry equipment and consumables to the oil and gas sector worldwide.

Product overview

Highland Industrial Supplies is a multi-category industrial supplies retailer and Scotland's largest independent retailer in its field, founded in 1985 in Inverness. The company operates as both a B2B and B2C supplier, offering an extensive product portfolio organized into 26 major product categories spanning Agriculture & Fencing, Automotive, Building Supplies, Civil Engineering, Clothing, Equine, Fieldsport, Fixings, For The Home, Hand Tools, Hygiene & Catering, Industrial Cleaning Equipment, Industrial Heaters, Ironmongery, Lifting & Moving, Lighting, Outdoors & Gardening, Pest Control, Power Tools, Scaffolding, Sealants & Adhesives, Site Safety & PPE, Storage & Ladders, Timber & Roofing, Trailers, Welding/Engineering & Gas, and Windows & Doors. The company serves both trade professionals and retail customers, supplying everything from heavy industrial equipment to domestic goods. The product ecosystem centers on multiple high-profile branded partnerships (Milwaukee, STIHL, DeWalt, Makita, Carhartt, Helly Hansen, Portwest, EGO, Bosch, ESAB, Le Creuset, VELUX) alongside proprietary brands including HIS Vacuums and BUNKER By Draper storage solutions. The company also distributes specialized sub-brands such as Fleming Agri Products and Spacevac cleaning systems, creating a comprehensive one-stop offering for trade, industry, agriculture, and home improvement needs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Power Tools Professional and DIY power tools including battery packs, chargers, cordless drills, grinders, saws, multi tools, heat guns, mixers, ratchets, staplers, and accessories, supplied to trade and retail customers.
• Hand Tools Hand tools for trade and DIY including hammers, screwdrivers, pliers, spanners, sockets, wrenches, saws, chisels, levels, measuring equipment, and tool bags/boxes.
• Welding, Engineering & Gas Welding machines, gas cylinders, hoses, regulators, cutting equipment, engineering metalwork accessories, and welding consumables, supplied to heavy industry and trade.
• Clothing & Workwear Workwear, hi-vis clothing, jackets, fleeces, coveralls, heated clothing, waterproof clothing, safety footwear, catering workwear, and women's workwear.
• Site Safety & PPE Personal protective equipment and site safety including fall arrest, head and face protection, fire safety, first aid, spill care, traffic control, barriers, and water safety equipment.
• Building Supplies Building materials including cement, lime, concrete products, plasterboard, insulation, roofing, timber, sheet materials, drainage, formwork, ladders, pipe fittings, and ventilation.
• Timber, Roofing & Insulation Sawn timber, roofing materials, flashings, insulation products, and VELUX roof windows and skylights.
• Hygiene & Catering Catering equipment, glassware, crockery, cutlery, barware, cleaning chemicals, paper products, gloves, first aid, kitchenware, and hotel amenities.
• Industrial Cleaning Equipment Professional cleaning machines including HIS vacuums, industrial pressure washers, robotic cleaners, scrubber dryers, Spacevac systems, steam cleaners, and sweepers.
• Industrial Heaters Industrial heating solutions including burners, electric heaters, kerosene/paraffin/diesel heaters, and LPG/propane heaters for site and workshop use.
• Agriculture & Fencing Agricultural and fencing supplies including anthelmintics, cattle feeding/handling equipment, electric fencing, gates, sheep handling, troughs, and fencing materials.
• Equine Horse and equestrian supplies including bedding, buckets, rugs, grooming products, haynets, headcollars, horse feed, supplements, riding hats, saddle pads, tack, and yard equipment.
• Outdoors & Gardening Garden and outdoor equipment including composite decking, garden care, outdoor living, shed and fence paint, garden tools, wildlife birdcare, and woodstain.
• Fixings Fixings and fasteners including nails, nuts, bolts, screws, washers, clips, chemical fixings, hammer fixings, plugs, and specialist fixings.
• Ironmongery Hardware and fittings including hinges, locks, padlocks, door closers, fire door protection, hooks, chains, ropes, wheels, castors, and window fittings.
• Sealants & Adhesives Sealants, adhesives, expanding foams, fillers, putty, paints, primers, resins, aggregates, chemicals, anti-slip products, and tapes.
• Scaffolding Scaffolding solutions including BoSS towers, K-Lock, K-Stage, ladder frames, platforms, tube clamping, and scaffolding accessories.
• Storage & Ladders Combination ladders, extension ladders, loft ladders, roof ladders, step ladders, and storage systems.
• Lighting Lighting solutions including lanterns, light bulbs, light fittings, light stands, sensors, site lighting, torches, head torches, and transformers.
• Lifting & Moving Equipment for lifting and moving heavy loads including various lifting equipment and moving aids.
• Trailers Agriculture trailers, road legal trailers, and trailer accessories.
• Automotive Automotive accessories, body repair, car care products, seat covers, lamps, bulbs, oils, additives, lubricants, screenwash, and workshop tools.
• Pest Control Pest control products for birds, flies, wasps, moles, mice, and rats.
• Civil Engineering Civil engineering tools and supplies including insulated tools, drainage, signage, site furniture, wheelbarrows, temporary fencing, road plates, and trench covers.
• Windows & Doors Windows and doors products including VELUX roof windows, skylights, and related fittings.
• For The Home Home goods including bathroom accessories, cleaning and laundry, fireplaces, heaters, homeware, and kitchen equipment for retail consumers.
• Fieldsport Outdoor sporting and field equipment including camping, hiking, fishing, hunting gear, archery, binoculars, netting, radios, stealth cameras, and targets.
• Mammotion Robotic Mowers Robotic lawn mowers — intelligent, autonomous mowing solutions for modern lawn care, featured product line carried by Highland Industrial Supplies.
• HIS Vacuums (Own Brand) Proprietary HIS vacuum cleaner range for industrial and commercial cleaning applications.
• BUNKER By Draper (Sub-brand) Professional tool storage and workshop organization solutions including drawer cabinets, tool boxes, and secure storage, distributed by Highland Industrial Supplies.
• Fleming Agri Products (Sub-brand) Agricultural equipment and supplies for farming operations, distributed by Highland Industrial Supplies.
• Spacevac Systems (Sub-brand) Industrial vacuum cleaning systems and accessories for professional cleaning applications, distributed by Highland Industrial Supplies.

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Artis UK / La RochereminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 25 November 2025New supplier partnership announced November 2025. Artis UK provides La Rochere glassware for catering excellence - traditional French glassware established in 1475.
• STIHLcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSTIHL Approved Dealer status. Supplies power tools, chainsaws, and outdoor power equipment. Featured brand partner with dedicated banner on website.
• MakitacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMakita Authorised Dealer. Power tools and equipment supplier. Hosted Makita Innovation Tour 2026 event at Inverness location.
• Bosch ProfessionalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBosch Professional Premium Partner status. Supplies professional power tools and accessories.
• MilwaukeecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor brand partner with dedicated 'Milwaukee Super Store' section. Features web deals and promotional banner.
• SIP IndustrialminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSIP Authorised Distributor for welding and industrial equipment.
• VELUXminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVELUX window products supplier with logo displayed on footer.
• DeWaltcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFeatured brand on home page slider. Major power tools brand partner.
• CarharttcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorkwear brand partner featured on home page slider and in blog content.
• Helly HansencoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorkwear brand partner featured on home page slider.
• ESABcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWelding equipment brand featured on home page slider.
• Le CreusetminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremium cookware brand for catering and homeware departments.
• EGOcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOutdoor power equipment brand featured on home page slider.
• NedermanminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndustrial extraction and filtration equipment supplier. Logo displayed in footer.
• Elsie Normington FoundationminorOthersCharitable partner. Logo displayed in footer indicating charitable giving or support.
• Highland HospiceminorOthersLocal charitable partner. Logo displayed in footer.
• Macmillan Cancer SupportminorOthersNational charity partner. Logo displayed in footer.
• The Archie FoundationminorOthersScottish children's charity partner. Logo displayed in footer.
• MikeyslineminorOthersMental health charity partner in the Highlands. Logo displayed in footer.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Toolstation: UK trade and DIY tools and hardware retailer with ~600 branches. Competes head-to-head with HIS on the same branded inventory (DeWalt, Makita, Stanley) and price-sensitive trade/buyer customers across Scotland.
• Screwfix: UK's largest trade tools and hardware retailer, owned by Kingfisher. Operates click-and-collect trade counters across the UK selling many of the same professional brands (Milwaukee, DeWalt, Makita, Bosch). The most direct competitive threat to HIS's trade customer base.
• Cromwell Tools: UK industrial and cutting tool distributor with a multi-brand catalogue. Directly comparable to HIS's hand tools, power tools, and industrial MRO product lines, though more wholesale-oriented.

Broad incumbents

• B&Q: UK's largest DIY and home improvement retailer, owned by Kingfisher. Overlaps with HIS's DIY/retail consumer segments in gardening, hand tools, and home categories across a national footprint.
• Travis Perkins: UK's largest builders' merchant serving trade and construction. Overlaps with HIS's building supplies, fixings, timber, roofing, and tool categories at a broader scale, and is the parent of Toolstation.
• Wickes: UK home improvement retailer serving trade and DIY customers. Overlaps with HIS's building supplies, kitchens, and DIY categories nationwide, with the same multi-channel (store + e-commerce) model.
• Jewson: Major UK builders' merchant owned by Saint-Gobain. Provides timber, building materials, and tools to trade — a directly comparable but larger-scope competitor to HIS's building supplies and trade offering.

Regional players

• City Plumbing: UK plumbing and heating merchant owned by Highbourne Group. Adjacent comparator for HIS's plumbing, heating, and ironmongery categories with a similar trade-counter and B2B model.
• CEF (City Electrical Factors): UK electrical wholesale distributor with ~400 branches. Comparable adjacency to HIS's lighting, electrical hardware, and trade-fitting products, with strong Northern UK and Scotland presence.

Emerging players

• Brandon Hire Station: UK tool and equipment hire specialist. Comparable to HIS's lifting/moving, scaffolding, and power tool categories but on a rental rather than sale basis — a potential adjacent model for HIS.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HIS_Ltd
• Facebookfacebook.com/HISLTD
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/highland-industrial-supplies-limited
• Instagraminstagram.com/highlandindustrialsupplies

Compliance3 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 Highland Industrial Supplies