FEATURE A STORY OF GRIT & GROWTH
Pro Tiler Tools shares its remarkable growth journey following its recent move into its new flagship distribution centre in Northampton.
What began in a single industrial unit on JBJ Business Park, in Bilsworth, in 2008, has become one of the UK’s fastest- growing tiling supply businesses. Pro Tiler Tools, the family- founded enterprise built on the back of hard work, customer- first thinking, and bold decision-making, recently moved into its brand-new 140,000 sq. ft distribution centre in Pineham, Northampton.
Founded by Andy Bucknall, a professional tiler, and his wife Wendy, Pro Tiler Tools was born out of frustration with the lack of easy access to high-quality tiling tools and materials. Joined later by sons Sam and Todd, the Bucknall family gradually shifted from tiling to retail, growing from one small unit to three before becoming a limited company in 2010. Their journey, however, has not been without trials.
“EVERY DECISION WE MAKE
STARTS WITH ‘WHAT DOES THE CUSTOMER NEED?’ REVENUE COMES AFTER THAT.”
In 2013, a devastating fire nearly wiped out the business and for many, that would have been the end, but not for the Bucknalls. With little more than a single unit, limited stock, and sheer determination, the family rebuilt from the ground up, moving in 2017 to a new site in Blisworth Hill Farm and, by 2020, to a 56,000 sq. ft warehouse in Earls Barton.
A BRAVE LEAP AND A BOLD PAYOFF
The move in 2020 was a calculated risk during a time of widespread uncertainty. Yet, despite the challenges of the pandemic, Pro Tiler Tools didn’t close a single day. With its family-led team putting in round-the-clock hours (literally), order fulfilment remained fast and reliable, helping to double the business’s turnover in just one year.
Fast-forward to today, and the numbers speak volumes. From £4.5m in turnover pre-Covid to an expected turnover of more than £30m this year, the company has expanded its workforce from 48 to over 60 strong, added roles across warehouse, procurement, marketing, and key accounts, and now operates out of a six-times-larger flagship unit in Prologis Park Pineham near the M1 with vastly improved access and display space.
The move also unlocked a 9pm next-day dispatch service, making Pro Tiler Tools one of few businesses outside Amazon to offer such flexibility.
LAUNCH EVENT SUCCESS
To celebrate their new premises and mark their 15th year in business, Pro Tiler Tools recently hosted an official opening
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Sam Bucknall is widely recognised for energising the business and nurturing a team-first culture where staff feel genuinely respected and valued. This positive environment fuels their
www.tomorrowstileandstone.co.uk
event that welcomed over 200 customers, suppliers, and members of the local community. The event featured live demonstrations, exclusive giveaways, competitions, and a charity raffle that raised funds for the Alzheimer’s Society. The Mayor of Northampton performed the ribbon-cutting, underscoring the importance of this milestone not just for the company but also for the wider community.
CULTURE OVER EVERYTHING
“The reason we’ve succeeded while others have struggled is simple: our people,” said Director Sam Bucknall. “From the very beginning, this has been about solving problems for tilers, because many of us were tilers or in the trade ourselves. Every decision we make starts with ‘what does the customer need?’ Revenue comes after that.”
The company’s core management team reflects its values. Over 75% of leadership have worked with or known the Bucknalls for years, many coming from tiling backgrounds themselves. That shared history has created a culture of respect, accountability, and genuine passion for the trade.
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