login About Us Contact Us Blog Products Dealer Locator S&J Group Neill Tools Home Garden Tools Hand Tools Contractor Tools New Products You are here: Home About Us Over the years, Spear & Jackson’s products have become widely recognised for their heritage and high quality. The Group has expanded through acquisitions and we have also reduced costs by relocating selected manufacturing operations to Asia. We have three principal divisions engaged in a range of business operations: • Tools • Precision measurement • Magnetic technologies We have extended our operations into other territories and now have manufacturing sites, distribution centres and sales offices in key locations around the world. Our three principal divisions consist of internationally recognised subsidiary companies engaged in a range of business activities. Each of these divisions operates autonomously within the Group. This autonomy, we believe, encourages management independence, entrepreneurism and ownership. However, we’re also keen to ensure that no rigid divisional barriers exist that would prevent a cross-flow of expertise, skills and ideas where these would benefit the group as a whole. We design, manufacture and assemble products that are sold all over the world. For more information on the Group visit our new website www.spearandjacksongroup.com If there is one word that people associate with Sheffield it is steel. The city (then a mere town) was known for the production of knives in the 14th century, and by 1600 had become the main centre for cutlery manufacture in England. In the 1740s, a form of the crucible steel process was discovered that allowed the manufacture of better quality steel than had previously been available, and this innovation spurred the growth of Sheffield as an industrial town. And it was not long after - in 1760 - when the foundations of the one of the city's best known firms, and one synonymous with steel; Spear & Jackson, were laid. It was in this year that a draper named John Love and a Wakefield merchant, Alexander Spear, decided that steel offered a better living than cloth and went into business together. By 1814, the business had passed down to Alexander's nephew John, who took on an apprentice - Sam Jackson - to learn 'ye art, trade or mistery of sawmaking'. Sam's first job was carrying blades from the forge to the grinding wheels yet, by 1830, he had obviously proved his worth as a new partnership was formed - Spear & Jackson. Neill Tools, Spear & Jackson's parent company, can meanwhile 'only' chart a history as far back as 1889, when James Neill, a successful accountant, turned to steelmaking and patented 'composite' steel (steel-backed iron) for hacksaw blades. Registering the Eclipse trademark in 1909, Neill started making the world's first composite steel hacksaw blades in 1911. By 1924, frames had been added to the range and the company introduced the classic shape which all hacksaws now mirror. Fast-forwarding to the 80s, Neill Tools bought Spear & Jackson in 1985, renaming the business Spear & Jackson plc in 1995. But Neill, Eclipse and Spear & Jackson aren't the whole brand story. The group also includes the famous WHS trowel brand. Originally known as William Hunt & Sons, WHS is popularly said to stand for 'Work Hard or Starve' and - among other things - its 4"" pointing trowels are especially favoured by archaeologists; rows breaking out on the internet whenever another trowel company tries to win the hearts and minds of these 'time team' diggers. Also within the company is the well-known Tyzack range of plastering tools. Founded by another Sheffield lad, William Tyzack (1781- 1858); the company really got into its stride through his nephew Joseph. Having developed a profitable working relationship with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, Joseph registered the Isle of Man triskelion 'legs' - still proudly worn by the company today - with the Cutlers' Company in 1847. Centuries of experience and innovation have resulted in the materials and development expertise that resides within the company today; and ""continuous innovation"" is at the heart of the company's ethos. This drive to improve product materials and performance can be seen in many different ways across the company's 3,000 lines. The organisation has come a long way since 1760, and the Spear & Jackson Group now manufactures and distributes garden tools, metrology equipment, woodworking tools and magnetic equipment under several brand names: Neill Tools, Bowers, Robert Sorby, Moore and Wright, Eclipse, WHS and Tyzack. With divisions across England, France and Australia, Spear & Jackson distributes products throughout the world. Français Nederlands Español Sign up for our Newsletter: login Useful Links About Us Dealer Locator Catalogues Latest News Links Contact Us Career Opportunities Tool Tips Privacy Sitemap Printer-friendly version login register Garden Tools Agricultural Brass Water Fitting Kew Range Childrens Cultivating & Lawn Care Cutting Digging Dutch Patterns Garden Tidy Grow Your Own Sets Small Hand Tools Hand Tools Automotive Jigsaw Blades Builders Tools Cold Chisels Cutting Off, Lathe Tools & Holders Electricians' Tools Hacksaw Blades Hammers Marking & Measuring Out Metal Cutting Nutspinners Pliers & Plumbers' Tools Power Tool Accessories Punches Riveters Scrapers, Pin Vices & Chucks & Collets Screwdrivers & Nutspinners Scribers' & Jewellers' Screwdrivers Tap Wrenches & Accessories Toolbits, Holders & Boring Bars Woodworking Tools Workholding Wrecking Contractors Tools Forks, Rakes & Sundries Insulated Shovels Snow Shovels Catalogues Catalogues & Downloads Spear & Jackson is a trading name of Neill Tools Limited. 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