Plumbworld
 | |
| Private | |
| Industry | Bathroom Retailer |
| Founded | 1999 (Evesham) |
| Founder | James and Anita Hickman |
| Headquarters | Evesham, England, UK |
Key people | James Hickman (CEO) |
| Products | Bathroom |
Number of employees | 100+ (2014) |
| Parent | Grafton Group Plc |
| Website | www.plumbworld.co.uk |
Plumbworld is a specialist bathroom retailer based in the market town of Evesham in the United Kingdom. The company was originally founded by the current CEO James Hickman in 1999 and operates exclusively online. It has been owned by the Grafton Group Since 2006.
History
Plumbworld was founded in 1999 by James and Anita Hickman. The company was created from a small idea and grew into a multi-million pound business within a matter of years. In 2006, James Hickman sold the company to the UK and Irish based company Grafton Group.[1]
In 2008, Plumbworld entered the power tools market for the first time with a new e-commerce website trading by the name of Toolbox.co.uk.[2]
2010 announced the launch of further e-commerce website this time specialising in barbecues[3] and wood burning stoves.[4]
In 2012 and because of ventures into various sectors in the home and garden markets, Plumbworld rebranded to Online Home Retail but continued to trade as normal.[5]
Current
2014 saw Plumbworld venture into the world of television for the first time with the 'We Love to Say No' advert developed by The Market Creative. The project encompassed a 30-second TV advert as well as a direct marketing campaign to help with the re-branding and new website for the company.[6]
Awards
The company has been recognised nationwide and has claimed various awards over the years including the prestigious 'Top Ten Website' by Hitwise.[7]
Charitable Activities
The business has been involved in numerous charitable activities since being founded in 1999 and continues to raise money on a daily basis. Over the years Plumbworld have been involved in raising money for Sport Relief,[8] Evesham's historic Regal Cinema relaunch,[9] and various nationwide community projects.[10] More notably Plumbworld joined forces with The Heart of England Forest Project in order to plant more than one million trees.[11] The ongoing partnership saw 9.11 hectares being used to plant nearly 10,000 trees and the same again the following year.[12] The company have always taken responsibilities to the environment seriously and continues to support this important project.[13]
References
- ↑ "The History of Grafton Group". Retrieved 28 April 2014.
- ↑ "Plumbworld founder launches power tool website". DIY WEEK. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
- ↑ "Plumbworld launch new E-Commerce website specialising in BBQ's products". Applegate. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
- ↑ "Plumbworld Expand Empire in Wood Burning Stoves Website Launch". Tech Zone 360. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
- ↑ "Plumbworld Ltd is Now Online Home Retail Limited".
- ↑ "Plumbworld Ventures into TV Advertising". The Market Creative. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
- ↑ "Bathroom Retailer, Plumbworld, Scoops Two Awards". PR.Com. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
- ↑ "Plumbworld Staff Raises Money for Sport Reliefs".
- ↑ "E-Commerce Giant Plumbworld Help With Evesham's Historic Regal Cinema Re-Launch". Digital Journal. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
- ↑ "Help In The London Community Aided By The Plumbworld Team". Retrieved 28 April 2014.
- ↑ "Heart of England Forest Millionth Tree Planting". Retrieved 28 April 2014.
- ↑ "Tree Planting in the Online Home Retail Wood". Heart of England Forest. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
- ↑ "Plant a Tree with Plumbworld!". Retrieved 28 April 2014.