GCU_March10_PG14-15:Page 6 05/03/2010 09:55 Page 15
Tools
Tools forge ahead!
B
ulldog will be launching a new range of As the tour continued what particularly
tools at the Chelsea Flower Show in May, impressed us was the attention to detail each
with the approval of The National Trust, and every Bulldog tool receives. Much of the
whose gardeners use Bulldog on the estates all hardwork still requires manual, skilled labour,
over the country. They have worked closely even down to the accuracy of the final nail in
with The National Trust to produce solid forged the ash wood handles. Bulldog also reduce
and stainless steel digging tools and a their carbon footprint by recycling any surplus
comprehensive selection of cutting tools. You material from the forging process and the
can also find Bulldog each year at the RHS handles - even the sawdust is recycled!
Flower shows, including Chelsea, Hampton
Court and Tatton Park. They also have stands at The range of garden tools are designed for the
BBC Gardeners World and GLEE. professional landscaper, contractor and
discerning gardener where durability, quality
With the launch of their new range with and ease of use are of paramount
National Trust endorsement, imminent, GCU consideration. Handles are fitted with a
have taken a tour of their forge in Wigan and matching hand-grip that will, with use, shape
spoken to Marketing Manager Fred Foot. He to the user's hand. Fred says, "Gardening with
says, "The basic method for manufacturing the an inferior tool is frustrating, particularly when
solid forged garden tools has remained the it breaks or bends. A strong and dependable
same for many years; although the machinery product is worth paying a little extra for. We
has evolved to increase the efficiency, it is still believe that the strength and reliability of our
true that the skill of the craftsmen is as brand will see us producing tools for gardeners
important today as is was back in 1780 when for many years to come."
the forge began."
Bulldog Tools heads and sockets are forged
from a single piece of steel, and then securely
attached to the shaft: The absence of welding
eliminates points of weakness, resulting in a
durable, longer lasting tool. The process of
manufacture includes heating and stamping a T
blank using a 600 tonne press, then heating
that block again so that it can be worked into
its final shape by a process of rolling and
pressing. Fred explains, "Tools are made from a
single piece of steel as this means that there are
no welds, which would be the weakest points,
therefore our spades and forks are incredibly
strong." Handles are also manufactured from
high quality wood, carefully selected for
straightness of grain from sustainable forests.
Sample testing of the complete tool is a regular
part of Bulldog Tools production procedure. Garden Centres who stock Bulldog are assigned
The inherent strength, which you can almost their own area rep who will discuss discounts
sense when holding, is the result of superior and terms to suit individual requirements.
forging plus the extra material in and around the There are no minimum orders but free carriage is
frog, which is where the blade joins the socket; offered on orders over £350. POS is available and
in essence, a Bulldog spade is far less prone to free of charge. Display stands are also offered
stress fatigue. Bulldog spades can take a loading with stock. Bulldog further support their
well over 200lbs without permanent damage, stockists by advertising in Trade and Consumer
the only question is how much can you lift? titles. "Some brands rely too much on their name
or heritage, but Bulldog is determined to work
Over 2000 tools a day are made at Bulldog in with Garden Centres to find the terms that work
Wigan, who currently employ over 65 people, for both parties." Fred adds.
most of whom are multi-skilled. Fred said, "It is
quite common for several generations of the
same family to have worked for the company,
with some employees tracing their family ties
back four generations." He continued, "It is
more expensive to produce our tools in the UK,
but Bulldog has the expertise built over two
centuries to produce exceptionally strong and a77 Rollins Bulldog Tools Ltd
durable tools which is what our customers a77 01279 401572
expect from us." a77 www.bulldogtools.co.uk
GCU MARCH 2010 15
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