Olympia Tools hosts UKTI visit

Olympia Tools, distributor of the Roughneck brand of hand tools and workwear, has played host to a visit by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) - the government agency which works with British-based businesses to facilitate their success in international markets. The delegation, which included local MP, Alok Sharma - a keen advocate of export trade, visited the company's Reading headquarters to learn more about its exemplary success in exporting to worldwide markets.

John Bramwell, managing director at Olympia Tools, explains: "Olympia Tools has a commitment to sourcing innovative products from around the world which ultimately increase the effectiveness of the end-user - whether that's by making common tasks more efficient, more profitable, quicker, less strenuous or safer. The overall design of the hammer or saw for instance has been tried and tested over decades, even centuries, but that's not to say there isn't room for improvement in areas like performance, ergonomics, material usage or lifespan.

"This focus on value-adding and innovative products has not only made our Roughneck range a popular choice with tradesmen, skilled DIY-ers and stockists here in the UK but also further afield. We currently export to countries including France, Spain, Iceland, Estonia, Norway, New Zealand and many more. We even export to Germany - a country renowned for engineering excellence and the production of high quality, high performance tools."

During their visit, the UKTI team were able to examine some of Olympia Tools' latest and most popular products. This included the company’s Gorilla Bar – a globally popular wrecking bar which has an innovatively designed shape enabling it to far exceed the performance of regular counterparts.

Specifically, the Gorilla Bar employs an oval shaped cross-section which provides greater control and strength whilst a carefully considered bar-to-claw angle enables it to be positioned closer to the item being worked on. This helps to increase leverage by up to 50% but without any increase in overall physically exertion by the user.

The Gorilla Bar also benefits from a low profile claw which enables it to fit further under any item, enhancing prying power, as well as a wider claw surface which helps prevent any ‘sinking’ into the underlying surface.

The UKTI delegation was also able to get a closer look at the Wood Grenade. This log splitting wedge again employs a unique shape consisting of a sharp point and a diamond shaped cross section. This enables it to spilt logs with explosive force and in four directions simultaneously.

Further features include a domed head which helps to centre and evenly distributed the force of a blow from a sledgehammer or other striking tool, as well as ribbed sides which prevent the grenade from working loose during the splitting operation.

Speaking of the visit, Alok Sharma MP, said: "Olympia Tools is a shining example of British enterprise. Its products, which frequently redefine expectations in areas like performance, reliability or value, have become a global success. The visit enabled us to learn from its international achievements and also to identify any opportunities to provide additional support."

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Image:    Olympia Tools UKTI visit.jpg

Caption: Tools demanded the world over. Olympia Tools’ success in exporting its Roughneck brand of hand tools and workwear to international markets has led to a recent visit by the UKTI.

For more information on this story, contact Wayne Mohammed at waynemohammed@hotmail.com

Notes to editors:

- With its head offices and showrooms in Reading, Olympia Tools (UK) Ltd is a British based importer and distributor of premium quality, competitively priced hand tools and other products for the professional tradesman and serious DIY enthusiast.

- Olympia Tools prides itself on offering new, innovative and high performance products sourced from reputable manufacturers across the world.

- Specific and well-known brands available from Olympia Tools include Roughneck, Gorilla Bar, Thorsen, Power Grip, Wood Grenade and the MUTT (Multi Use Tough Tool).

- Olympia Tools has been trading in the United Kingdom for 15 years.

- For more information on Olympia Tools (UK) Ltd and its products, visit www.olympia-tools.co.uk

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