Handlemaker Rd, Frome, Somerset BA11 4RW Tel: 01373 451600

Tipadel Limited is a well established Builders Merchant based on the Somerset and Wiltshire border and has served Frome and surrounding towns and villages for over twenty years, having run the business from a local trading estate since 1982. Although Tipadel remain the areas largest independent supplier of building and construction materials, the foundations of the business were laid over 30 years ago when the company was known as White Tipadel originating from a local pig farm manufacturing buildings and equipment for the breeding and production of pigs. Our products became well known and were supplied not only throughout the United Kingdom, but internationally as far as Japan. This side of the business continued up to the year 2000 running alongside Tipadel, and we still have many pig farming customers who continue to buy from us as Builders Merchants.

A few years ago we investigated the possibility to expand, and being predominantly a trade outlet, we realised the opportunities to be gained if we could establish a more welcome appearance to the retail customer, and to the serious DIY and self-build business that was available.

This type of expansion was prevented by the constrictions of running from old buildings on a mixed commercial estate. A decision was made to look for a new site with a view to relocate, which resulted in the acquisition of a new freehold site based on a prestigious retail business park, and allowed us the opportunity to design and build brand new bespoke premises, with the benefits of a much improved layout for all aspects of the business.
 

The new 1.5 acre site was of perfect proportions and dimensions, with good access direct from a busy main road and ideal for the construction of a substantial 20,000 sq ft building, with outside heavy side storage, unloading bays, customer and staff parking areas, and all within a very secure compound. A total of five years was spent on the planning, design and construction, and being a very ‘hands-on’ business, the staff from all departments along with the management were involved to produce a spectacular new premises, with all facilities including inside storage, outside storage and racking, all designed and manufactured in-house.

The front of the main building was designed to incorporate an exclusive kitchen and bathroom showroom which is appropriately named ‘The Studio’. Full width display windows allow out of hours viewing directly from the main road of our wide range of contemporary and traditional displays. This layout was specifically designed to attract more retail customers. Our research prior to the design stage identified we would need to avoid the pitfalls usually planned into the design of builder’s merchant premises where the showroom is traditionally tucked into a back corner! Our attractive new layout has certainly encouraged more visits from customers normally put off by the long-established merchant appearance.

The property was consequently designed with this in mind. When customers drive through the main entrance, they will be immediately impressed with the design and appearance of the premises. Having parked in our spacious car park, a choice of two main entrances in to the main building will lead in to a pleasant and welcoming interior.

One entrance leads independently to The Studio as well as giving access to the building materials shop where our customers will be equally impressed with the accommodating layout when purchasing materials. This area is contained within a light spacious building with sales offices, large customer enquiries and retail sales counter, and a separate trade counter, all with well trained, helpful and knowledgeable staff. An impressive stairway leads to a first floor which incorporates spacious offices, a mezzanine floor for top up stock and an interesting walk-round shop viewing gallery.

The rear of the main building leads to a large board and sheet material store, prepared timber racking and an annexe which contains the carpenter’s workshop complete with various saws for cutting materials to size, enabling us to offer a complete service to our customers. Further annexe bays allow for drive-in access to cement, plaster, bagged goods and to a useful range of steel stock and aluminium products, also with facilities for fabrication and cutting materials to size.

The outside storage areas are well laid out and incorporate easy access racking for sawn timber, bricks, blocks, slabs, bulk bags and a full range of heavy-side products. All internal and external storage racking has been designed, developed and constructed in our own workshops.

Comprehensive stocks of all types of building and construction materials are combined with a strong purchasing and competitive pricing policy to maintain very keen prices on all products throughout the year.

Our fleet of delivery vehicles range from light commercial up to heavy goods with crane off-load facility, enabling us to offer a prompt and flexible delivery service for the complete range of our products over a large area including Frome and all the surrounding towns and villages on a daily basis, although we deliver regularly to our customers up to a 50 mile radius of Frome.

The attention to detail throughout our new development has produced an outstanding business premises, raising the profile of the local builder’s merchant to a new and innovative level, well in keeping with the demands of the new millennium. These improvements to our appearance and to the service we can now offer has attracted many new retail, DIY and home improvement customers, and undoubtedly benefited all our existing trade, business and account customers.

Handlemaker Rd, Frome, Somerset BA11 4RW Tel: 01373 451600