SUPPLIER NEWS


Barrus celebrates its 100-year anniversary


Tool distributor EP Barrus Ltd proudly marked 100 years of trading on September 18 this year, with the business and its portfolio having grown dramatically over the years and now representing more than 30 global brands within the UK market.


It has been an exciting centenary year for EP Barrus with the acquisition of garden glove and footwear supplier Town & Country, new appointments within the business and finally securing a new 16-acre site which it will relocate to in 2019.


Following its acquisition


of Town & Country in August, Barrus has appointed a new garden sales and technical manager for the garden division, promoting Phil Noble who has been with the company for 19 years. The company also announced in June that, after a seven-year search, it would be expanding operations to a new 16-acres site on the edge of the Graven Hill development


in Bicester. And all this, as it worked toward celebrating the milestone in its history.


The business has come a long way since it was established in 1917 when Ernest Prouty Barrus set up a company in the UK to supply Starrett precision tools, including micrometers and measuring equipment, and distribute them throughout Europe.


Over the past century, EP Barrus has constantly adapted to new opportunities and challenges and diversified into multiple market sectors including marine, garden and industrial. Barrus is co-owned by the Glen family and MTD Holdings - a family owned company based in the USA and one of the largest


producers of outdoor power equipment in the world.


Garden machinery The firm entered the garden


machinery market during the late 1950s and introduced the first Barrus-made lawnmowers sold under the brand name Mowmaster. These ‘direct collect’ machines were the first composite plastic mowers available on the world market. Barrus went on to become


MTD’s first export customer in Europe in 1972, with the distribution of a range of garden machinery sold under the Lawnflite brand name. Today, Barrus has long- standing partnerships with global suppliers and represents over


30 leading brands which are distributed through over 3,000 authorised dealers nationwide. It also designs, develops and builds engines for customers across the UK and overseas at its current headquarters in Bicester. EP Barrus chairman Robert Glen, who is the grandson of founder Ernest Barrus, commented: “As we celebrate our centenary, we reflect on our proud past and, most importantly, express our sincere thanks to our customers, suppliers, distributors and partners, and loyal employees who have put their trust in Barrus and helped build the company’s success.” “One hundred years in business represents a tremendous milestone,” added


Barrus’ managing director Robert Muir.


“Not only are we


looking back but also forward, focusing on the company’s future to build on our success and best serve our customers. 2017 is, indeed, a momentous year with recent announcements including our exciting new location plans which will enable us to grow the business; the acquisition of the gardening gloves and footwear company, Town & Country; and the engine supply contract awarded to Barrus by Atlas Elektronik UK who will build the £48M next generation Royal Navy workboats.


As our centennial strapline states: “We are celebrating our first 100-years, gearing up for the next.”


Retailers, are you doing something exciting in any of these product areas?


Have you grown sales as a result of new initiatives?


We want to hear your story. Contact the DIY Week editorial team at diyweeknews@datateam.co.uk


Upcoming features in DIY Week: • 27 October Christmas • 10 November Hardware • 24 November Lighting & Electrical • 15 December Year in Review


Suppliers, send your product news to Margaret Poole - mpoole@datateam.co.uk www.diyweek.net 13 OCTOBER 2017 DIY WEEK 7


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