bunnings power tools supplier

While retail concentration is high in Australia, there are a number of independent distributors selling hand and power tools, tool accessories, storage solutions and and outdoor equipment through a number of trade and DIY customer channels.

The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) announced that it would not be opposing a proposed acquisition of a specialist retail chain in South Australia by Bunnings Group, a major retailer with existing considerable market share.  In assessing the proposed acquisition and any impacts on the level of competitiveness in the industry, the ACCC found that there were still multiple channels available for retail sale of tools and equipment (specifically, hand and power tools, tool accessories, storage solutions, and outdoor power equipment).

Specialist retail chains that sell mainly to trade customers.  The only chain that operates at a national level is Total Tools. It has 81 stores run as franchises.  The next largest chain is Sydney Tools, which is privately-owned, and operates 32 stores mostly in NSW and Victoria with one store in Queensland. The other chains are limited to one state.  These include: Trade Tools (18 stores in Queensland); Toolmart (12 stores in Western Australia); and Adelaide Tools (five stores in South Australia).

Industry-specific retail chains.  Reece supplies a selection of tools and equipment as part of its broader line aimed at plumbers.  Rep and Supercheap Auto sell to automotive customers.  Laurence & Hanson sells to electricians.

Buying Groups. There are a number of different buying groups that purchase on behalf of small independent stores.  These include Natbuild, Australian Industrial Suppliers, Hardware & Building Traders and United Tools.  Some of the stores operate under their own brand while others operate under the buying group’s banner.

American manufacturers of tools and equipment for the trade and DIY market can potentially enter the market by tapping into one or more of the retail channels mentioned.  For more inforrmation on the market please contact the U.S. Commercial Service in Australia, email: john.kanawati@trade.gov

Bunnings announces that Adelaide Tools will become Tool Kit Depot, positioning the professional tools business for expansion into Western Australia starting in October. Bunnings acquired Adelaide Tools in 2020, as part of its strategy to deepen its relationships with trade customers. The retailer sells a range of professional power tools, power gardening and heavy machinery, along with a tool servicing offer.

Mike Schneider, Bunnings managing director, said: "Earlier this year we opened a new Adelaide Tools store in Parafield where we trialled new concepts and the response from customers was incredibly positive. It"s given us confidence in the evolution of the format that we need to take the business into WA and beyond."

XU1 power tools are manufactured by Ozito, and are marketed as an even cheaper alternative for entry-level users and the perfect tools for one-off jobs. Their range consists of only several of the most popular power tools, are only available seasonally, and are sold exclusively through Bunnings Warehouse.

Ever wonder who owns Craftsman tools? How about Milwaukee, Mac Tools, or Skilsaw? It may surprise you to know that only a handful of power tool companies own your favorite tools. That’s right, most tool brands fall under a parent company that also controls additional power tool manufacturers and brands. We break it down for you…with charts!

Stanley Black & Decker (SBD) turned heads when it bought Craftsman Tools in 2017 after Sears closed 235 stores in 2015. The company owns many brands, however. Dating back to 1843 with a man named Frederick Stanley, the company quickly formed its roots. In 2010, it merged with another company that started in 1910—Black and Decker. As of 2017, the company maintains a $7.5 billion business in tools & storage alone. SBD brands include:

As it turns out, TTI owns Milwaukee Tool and a host of other power tool companies. It also licenses the RIDGID* and RYOBI names for cordless power tools (Emerson owns RIDGID). TTI stands for Techtronic Industries Company Limited (TTI Group). Founded in 1985 in Hong Kong, TTI sells tools all over the world and employs over 22,000 people. TTI is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and had worldwide annual sales of over US$6 billion in 2017. Their brands include:

Not anymore. In 2017, Chervon acquired Skil Power Tool Brands from Bosch. This added two big brands to their portfolio: Skilsaw and Skil. Chervon started its power tools business unit back in 1993, launching the EGO brand of cordless outdoor power equipment in 2013. In 2018, the company rebranded Skil (including the logo) and announced new 12V and 20V cordless power tools. Today, Chervon tools and products are sold by more than 30,000 stores in 65 countries. Chervon manufactures the following brands:

First off, Bosch Tools only represents part of the Bosch Group which includes Robert Bosch GmbH and over 350 subsidiaries across 60+ countries. In 2003 Robert Bosch GmbH combined its North American power tool and power tool accessory divisions into one organization, forming Robert Bosch Tool Corporation in North America. The company designs, manufactures, and sells power tools, rotary and oscillating tools, power tool accessories, laser and optical leveling devices, and range finding tools all over the globe. Bosch also manufactures the following tools:

Husqvarna Group manufactures chainsaws, trimmers, robotic lawn mowers, and ride-on lawnmowers. The Group also makes garden watering products as well as cutting equipment and diamond tools for the construction and stone industries. They have a presence in more than 100 countries and employ over 13,000 people in 40 countries. Husqvarna Group also owns the following tools:

JPW owns several large brands including Jet, Powermatic, and Wilton. The company has its headquarters in La Vergne, Tennessee but also has operations in Switzerland, Germany, Russia, France, Taiwan, and China. They sell products in 20 countries throughout the world. Their tool brands include:

Apex Tool Group has its headquarters in Sparks, Maryland, USA and employs more than 8,000 workers. They operate in more than 30 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. Annual revenues exceed $1.4 billion on the sale of hand tools, power tools, and electronics tools for the industrial, automotive, aerospace, and construction/DIY markets. The following tool manufacturers belong to APEX Tool Group:

Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri (USA), Emerson controls power tool manufacturers and products in the industrial, commercial, and residential markets. While TTI licenses the RIDGID name for power tools, Emerson controls the following tools (among others):

Based in Wendlingen, Germany, TTS or Tooltechnic Systems owns Festool (electric and pneumatic tools), Tanos (not to be confused with the guy who destroyed half the universe), Narex, Sawstop, and now Shaper Tools. TTS is truly behind the scenes as it doesn’t really have appear to have its own website (at least not in the US) or an official logo. In bullet point format, its subsidiaries include:

Yamabiko Corporation started in 2008 and has three core business segments: outdoor power equipment, agricultural machinery, and industrial machinery. Based in Japan, Yamabiko is a global company with major markets in Japan and North America, and a growing presence in Europe and Asia. Tool brands include:

Founded over 100 years ago, ITW manufactures specialized industrial equipment, power tools, hand tools, and consumables. ITW operates in 57 countries with over 50,000 employees. They also have more than 17,000 granted and pending patents. ITW brands include:

Who makes Harbor Freight Power Tools remains a mystery—possibly because they may have switched suppliers in the past. Some have suggested LuTool, a company established in June 1999 supplies their power tools. LuTool has headquarters in Ningbo, China, and a North American office in Ontario, Canada. LuTool is owned by Gemay (Ningbo Gemay Industry Co Ltd) which also has its headquarters in Ningbo, China.

Not to be outdone, others have suggested Powerplus as the manufacturer behind the Drill Master, Warrior, Bauer, and Hercules lines of tools. Powerplus is a division of European company Varo with headquarters in Belgium.

Hilti and Makita are just Hilti and Makita. Hilti doesn’t have any subsidiary companies underneath them or a parent company over them. Makita, on the other hand, did acquire the Dolmar brand, bolstering its already-impressive line of outdoor power equipment tools. It’s pretty impressive the market share each of these companies enjoys!

We can’t leave out the popular house brands available at those big-box retailers and home improvement warehouses. Note that many (if not all) of the brands below represent ODM or OEM solutions. That means the tools get specified by the store but executed by another manufacturer. In other scenarios, tools are “offered” to a retailer and then manufactured in bulk upon acceptance of a buyer’s order.

While you may have thought you knew who owned all those power tool manufacturers, consolidation has changed the playing field. By far, Stanley Black & Decker demonstrates the largest buyout pattern. Companies like TTI, Apex Tool Group, ITW, and others also enjoy adding to their numbers.

Improving the state of your home is always a rewarding experience, especially when you choose to do it yourself. For the sake of ensuring your renovations are ‘The Block’ worthy and can be completed as conveniently as possible, it is always a good idea to invest in power tools.

There are many different types of power tools that can be used for all sorts of renovation tasks, such as gardening, painting, polishing, drilling and cutting. For the sake of speeding up tedious processes and improving your accuracy, purchasing a few power tools for your renovation project may be worth considering.

Power tools are often sold at hardware stores but not all will carry the best local brands or the specific type of power tool you are looking for. As a result, it is imperative to research where you can purchase the power tools best suited for your renovation and home improvement projects, and at the most affordable prices.

In Australia, there is a wide mix of local and small hardware and power tool stores, as well as big corporate brands. For example, Metcash is Australia’s leading wholesale distribution and marketing company and owns IGA as well as other reputable hardware businesses in the country such as Mitre 10, Home & Timber Hardware, Hardings Hardware and most recently, Total Tools.

Bunnings Warehouse is another popular national business owned by Australian conglomerate Wesfarmers, which sells power tools in addition to other outdoor living equipment and hardware tools. If you are located regionally and would love to support a small local business, there are also certain stand out independent power tool shops that may interest you such as Just Tools, F & K Power Tools and Sydney Power Tools.

At PaintAccess, we have simplified the tedious research process for you and compiled a list of the top seven local power tools shops for you to check out! Keep reading to discover where you can find the best deals and purchase top notch power tools in Australia!

As Australia’s lead retailer for trade tools, home equipment and living appliances, Bunnings stocks over 45,000 products (including hand and power tools) with an expanded range available through the Bunnings Special Orders service. Having been part of Australian conglomerate group Wesfarmers for over 20 years, Bunnings is also connected with large department store retailers in Australia such as Kmart and Target.

Unlike the other power tool shops on this list, Bunnings has a large network of locations to cater for both their retail and commercial customers all across Australia. To accommodate for different types of buyers, Bunnings is separated into three flexible formats:

Bunnings Warehouse distributes a long list of respectable brands in the power tool industry as part of their ‘lowest prices are just the beginning’ motto, including:

If you are looking for informative and helpful staff members to guide you through you power tool purchasing process, consider visiting Australian hardware store Mitre 10! With over 50 years of industry experience, Mitre 10 is one of Australia’s most reputable power tool shops for having well-trained and knowledgeable staff members who treat their customers with the utmost care and respect.

Built from the ground up by eight independent timber and trade operators, Mitre 10 has always been dedicated to the trade, stocking only the highest quality products available in the market while also acting as Australia’s largest independent timber merchant. Selling over hundreds of brands and even more products, Mitre 10 is known across Australia to be one of the top power tool retailers to visit.

Specialising in providing their customers with D.I.Y ideas and advice, the store is well known for offering quick and easy solutions to common household complications. These include their wide range of power tools available for purchase; from air compressors and heat guns to saw skinners and sanders.

Exclusive to the ‘Go Where the Tradies Go’ Home Timber & Hardware stores is their D.I.Y Rewards program, which conveniently rewards their customers with special promotions, bonus product offers and redeemable tools for simply purchasing from their stores!

Total Tools has been serving the Australian hardware community for over 30 years and prides itself as a one stop destination for all of their customers’ power tool needs. Reflective of their motto ‘every tool/every trade’, Total Tools offers just about everything you’d want in a hardware store, stocking a wide range of the world’s biggest professional tool brands as well as supporting customers with expert advice and knowledge unrivalled within the industry.

The long-established power tools store was most recently acquired by Metcash (currently 70% ownership) and with the added support of the Australian conglomerate, Total Tools is only set to grow, maintain their position as one of Australia’s leading professional tool retailers, and broaden their demographic reach.

Total Tools stores house more than 20,000 products with day-to-day access, while the online store offers over 60,000 products with nation-wide delivery.

Interestingly enough, what differentiates Total Tools from the other power tool shops on this list is their informative in-house blog, which includes many how-tos, helpful tips and news pieces to help amateur renovators learn to use specific power tools. Complete with blog posts on topics such as dust extraction, pressure washers and even tax reductions, customers can spend their time productively and browse through the Total Tools blog to learn more about their trade!

While the other stores on this list may sell a variety of hardware tools, F & K focuses on providing only the best power tools available on the market to their customers. F & K Power Tools has been active in Sydney since 1973 and since then, have earned their reputation as local Sydney power tool experts.

With both an in-store option (located in Stanmore) and online shopping options, F & K distribute reliable power tool brands and their products at affordable prices – with free shipping included on all orders over $99! Certain branded power tools purchased at F & K Power Tools also come with warranty (of up to 5 years).

In an effort to promote sustainability while also guaranteeing further customer savings, F & K Power Tools also offers a Tool Spare Parts program, where customers can source the tool parts they need online! In the case that your power tool has stopped working correctly but you do not have the resources nor time to research and purchase another, taking advantage of F & K Power Tools’ Spare Parts program may be an option worth considering.

F & K Power Tools also stocks a wide range of accessories that you may not be able to find elsewhere, from 1mm drill bits to 400mm diamond core bits. In addition to such accessories, F & K also distributes a large variety of power tool brands and products, such as:

Just Tools is another hardware store to check out if you are considering shopping at smaller businesses specialising in power tools. Just Tools has been supplying the South Melbourne area for over 40 years with power tools, hand tools, nail guns, air tools and engineering supplies. As an Australian owned business, Just Tools gives back to their community by catering for all traders, handymen, manufacturers and retailers.

You can purchase from Just Tools’ wide selection of power tools at their South Melbourne store, or on their website which offers Australia-wide delivery services as well as Click and Collect. All products are sold at affordable prices, with free delivery on selected items offered on their online shop.

Just Tools also offers power tool and hand tool repairs for both warranty and non-warranty claims. For example, the store’s sharpening services can help restore all types of blades, including tipped blades, bandsaws, hand tools and drill bits. As a member of the United Tools Group in Australia, Just Tools also prioritises customer savings and strives to give their customers the best services and purchasing experiences possible.

As part of providing their customers with excellent and convenient purchasing experiences, Just Tools also offers expert advising services on power tools and other hardware matters through call and email. If you are having some trouble with a power tool or would like to know more about a specific product, Just Tools encourages you to call or email them and they will get back to you with professional advice and tips on your enquiries swiftly.

While relatively small compared to the large corporate hardware brands mentioned in this blog post, Just Tools still offers a wide range of power tools for purchase, including:

Offering the ‘best brands at the best prices’, Sydney Tools is a long-established hardware store in Australia, known to sell only the most trusted power tools available on the market. Family-owned and founded in 2001, Sydney Tools currently operates online (delivering nationwide) as well as in 40 stores across New South Wales, Victoria, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, and the Northern Territory.

Despite being relatively new in comparison to the other stores mentioned in this blog, Sydney Tools supplies customers with a large range of premium quality tools, consumables, and accessories. These products all aim to help with improving the quality of renovation projects in all industries, including the automotive, mining and construction industries.

The company’s main goal is to provide services, support, and technical expertise to achieve high levels of customer satisfaction before, during and after every sale. While taking pride in their customer service, Sydney Tools also actively seeks feedback from their customers, by including an online feedback form for clients to record their unsatisfactory, satisfactory, or excellent experiences. Sydney Tools will respond to all feedback submissions personally and promptly.

In addition to providing customers with high quality tools and services, Sydney Tools also offers 21 workshops located within their store network, with the largest workshop located in their head office in Sydney. These workshops aim to teach customers how to expertly handle specific power tools and which ones would be best suited to achieve the best results in different industrial situations and contexts.

Sydney Tools sells a variety of top-notch power tool brands and their products to ensure their customers have the best purchasing experience, such as:

While all the power tool shops mentioned in this blog are certainly worth visiting and buying from, there is no need to stick to just one of them. Diversifying your power tool stores is a good way to ensure you always get the best deals and power tool purchases, as you can cross-reference brands and prices, as well as join multiple loyalty programs to get the best deals.

Different power tool shops will have different reward programs and purchasing from a series of power tool stores will ensure you are more likely to be rewarded for purchasing with them some way or another. Instead of sticking with just one store, keeping an eye on multiple can also help you to save money during separate sales and discount campaign periods.

To guarantee you are saving as much as possible, it is also important to keep up with the online shop campaigns of different power tool stores as well as their in-store campaigns. Some sales may only be offered through their online store, while other discounts are only applied to in-store purchases. It may also be helpful to factor in shipping fees when purchasing power tools online and whether or not such fees are worth paying, as opposed to spending time visiting the store physically.

To help you keep up with the multitude of power tool shops and all of their independent sales and campaigns, it may be a good idea to sign up for their online newsletters. You can also contact different power tool stores through their social media channels, emails, phone numbers or website contact services to keep up to date with their campaigns in more detail.

Sticking with just one power tool brand as opposed to multiple power tool stores can also help simplify things for you if you do not have the time to keep up with different shops and prices for the same power tools.

Bunnings has a market share of around 50 percent in the Australian Do-It-Yourself hardware market, with competing chains including Home Timber & Hardware, Mitre 10 and various independent retailers such as Agora Marketplace and Total Tools around Australia.

Carrying 10,000 products across power tools, outdoor power equipment, hand tools, storage, workwear, welding equipment, construction and safety equipment all under one roof, the new professional tools store has all the gear Perth trades require, according to Bunnings.

“Customers will find the look and feel of Tool Kit Depot stores a little different to some other professional tool stores.The store design is more open and feature hands-on displays of a wide range of professional construction tools and gear,” he said.