| Contact Us | Stockist Finder | International Site | B2B Site Sign In or Register HOME ABOUT US PRODUCTS CATALOGUE STOCKISTS WIN HOME HISTORY DRAPER TOOLS ESTABLISHED IN 1919 A COMPANY WITH HISTORY Draper Tools was started in 1919 when the founder, Bert Draper, sold government surplus and tools in markets around the Kingston Upon Thames area. This led to the purchase of the original warehouse, from which the Draper Tool Company Limited as we know it today was born, although at this time it was known as B. Draper & Son Limited and owned the trademark B.D.S. Although Draper Tools sold its own brand as early as this time, it was also a quality Engineers Merchant and Tool Wholesaler, selling brands that are well known today, such as, Britool, King Dick, Elliott Lucas, etc. When Bert Draper passed away in 1963, control of the Company passed to his son Norman. With the increased business and cramped conditions at Kingston Upon Thames, Norman purchased the freehold rights to the current premises in Chandler's Ford, Hampshire at auction the same year. Norman pushed the business forward dramatically and developed the 'Draper' brand as we know it today, by importing quality tools from all around the World. He also established 'exclusive' relationships on a family to family basis, with such Companies as Elora and Knipex, which still exist today. Norman died in 1994 and the Company is now run by his son, John. His wife Joan, who passed away in 1999, produced, almost single-handedly, the Company's first type-written catalogue in 1953. This level of family involvement would be rare in any other company of this size in the UK... But then Draper Tools is no 'other company!' John took over the reins in 1992 with the task of taking the company into the new century. Draper Tools continues to thrive on a mixture of inward investment, active support for the independent stockist, striving for operational efficiency and all underpinned by the golden rule since 1919 - Guaranteed Quality. The current premises in Chandler's Ford have been added to considerably since its purchase and has now reached a size of 535,000 sq.ft. It is now probably the largest stock of tools in one place in the UK. TIMELINE 1919 1919 THE BEGINNING OF A FAMILY COMPANY Bert Draper our founder and his wife Emily 1920's TOOL DELIVERY 1920'S STYLE 1940's 1940'S - 50'S Business as usual in Kingston Upon Thames, London 1950's DELIVERIES 1950'S STYLE 1960's DELIVERIES 1960'S STYLE 1961 1961 The first Draper Tools Catalogue 1963 1963 - DRAPER TOOLS RELOCATES Draper Tools Relocates to Chandler's Ford Hampshire - With the increased business and cramped conditions at Kingston, Norman purchased the freehold rights to the current premises in Chandler's Ford, Hampshire at auction in 1963. 1980's 1980'S Business as usual in Chandler's Ford, Hampshire 1984 1984 Draper Tools Sign Sponsorship Deal with Southampton FC sponsoring the club for nine years between 1984 and 1993. (Pictured from left to right John Draper, Guy Askham, Norman Draper and Lawrie McMenemy.) 2006 2006 - CHANDLERS FORD REACHES FULL CAPACITY Chandlers Ford reaches full capacity leading to the outright purchase of the North Baddesley site, in preparation for the new warehouse facility. 2009 2009 - COMPLETION OF OUR NEW WAREHOUSE FACILITY Completion of our new warehouse facility in North Baddesley Hampshire THE COMPANY ABOUT DRAPER TOOLS QUALITY ASSURANCE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY CSR SPONSORSHIP CAREERS OUR PRODUCTS THE BRANDS INTERACTIVE CATALOGUE PRODUCT RANGE NEW PRODUCTS PROMOTIONS SUPPORT CONTACT US STOCKIST FINDER BECOME A STOCKIST EXPORT SITE B2B SITE FOLLOW US FACEBOOK TWITTER NEWS DRAPER TV LINKED IN DRAPER TOOLS NEWS - BE THE FIRST TO HEAR ABOUT NEW PRODUCTS, PROMOTIONS, DEALS, COMPETITIONS AND MORE. SUBSCRIBE © COPYRIGHT 2021 DRAPER TOOLS LTD. HEAD OFFICE: HURSLEY ROAD, CHANDLER'S FORD, HAMPSHIRE SO53 1YF | TERMS OF BUSINESS | PRIVACY POLICY | COOKIES POLICY