DIY Trade & Industrial News April 2016 | Page 15

NEWS WHOLESALER Skillcraft is a wholesale business that delivers quality products and great service to resellers across the country. Gearing for greatness The Skillcraft team SKILLCRAFT WAS STARTED in 1991 by spread before, without specific focus and sometimes Peter Roodt and George Angelos. The business running out of stock on certain products. We needed was built on a core of supplying to industrial to get narrower and deeper,” says Angelo. Angelo says, “Our pedigree is industrial and all our ranges meet industrial standards. However, “Today our focus is on our in-house brands which resellers. Skillcraft developed a significant Skillcaft’s industrial automotive tools solutions.  the pricing is pushing into the DIY space.” What competitive lead in the market with its product include Ingco, Jetech, LBS, Bernzomatic, Laco and makes Ingco so unique is that it is an industrial tool knowledge in industrial markets. our locks ranges. These brands are the key focus for the industrial market at a DIY price. The pricing of our business with narrower ranges and deeper structure allows Skillcraft’s resellers to make an stock,” says Angelo. excellent profit margin while still offering the end In 2013 Angelo Angelos, George’s son joined the business in operations as Operations Manager. consumer an unbeatable price. In addition, the Skillcraft is creating a clear identity for itself He later became Sales Manager, before another big business change came in late 2016 when Peter in the marketplace through its brands and its Ingco range is very wide, spanning multiple power retired and George and Angelo bought Peter’s renewed commitment to customer centricity. tool and hand tool categories. Ingco’s tag line is shares in the business. Angelo has surrounded himself with a great “Professional Tools Made Affordable”. With the Angelos family owning Skillcraft outright, Angelo took over from Peter and transitioned into  Another key aspect for Angelo is brand identity. team of people that are taking his vision to market. Ingco is Skillcraft’s most important brand. It “When I first joined Skillcraft I would walk into a is a versatile brand that includes power tools, store where we do really well, but I couldn’t see Angelo has brought with him a new way of hand tools, air tools, power tools accessories us anywhere. We would be in bits and pieces thinking and a new dynamic to Skillcraft. Things and measuring tools. Bernzomatic and Laco throughout the store. There was no brand have naturally started to change. The first visible are the leading brand of portable torches, identity. We are now working to create a brand change was to increase the focus on Skillcraft’s in- gases and solvents for the HVAC and identity with our concept stands - to make house brands. “I felt we were too wide and too thinly plumbing industry. Jetech and LBS are us visible, identifiable and more relevant.” the position of Managing Director. Sugur Strip Ad 2.pdf 1 2017/02/17 10:54 AM C M Y CM MY CY CMY K FIX BOND CUSHION REPLACE CREATE SEAL Distributed by Permoseal (Pty) Ltd • Tel: +27 21 555 7400 • www.sugru.com DIY & INDUSTRIAL TRADE NEWS APRIL 2017 15