Frank Howard established the company that bears his name in 1988 it was a fairly small company that offered good service to customers looking to buy tools and fixings.

It was a modest beginning, but Frank had a keen sense of the market and since then the product range has expanded dramatically, and they now also supply building materials such as underground pipes, fascias and guttering, ironmongery, workwear including a wide range of footwear, woodworking tools, "Frank Howard" silicons and a most attractive range of all weather decking.

Though a full range of power tools, hand tools and accessories for trade and DIY users are still an important feature of the stock. This includes all major brand names including Makita Power Tools, Bosch Power Tools, Dewalt, Makita, Metabo, Soudal Silicones, Nedo and Paslode.

To accommodate their growth in products and size, they moved to Black Notley in 1995 and then to Lower Chapel Hill in Braintree in 2001 where they now have premises of some 5000 square feet - plus 2 warehouses - incorporating a very lively trade counter with many product displays.

Braintree was a good location to base the company as its steady growth with Lots of new housing and a Huge amount of industrial units has provided a strong customer base.

Every one in the area knows Frank Howard and the company's growth has come from referrals and reputation.

Frank is the MD and still loves selling to customers and loves to get out.

Frank Howard has retained his role in sales and sales management both internally and in visiting customers; he meets suppliers and business partners and his keen eye for business opportunities has seen the company's fortunes grow.

As the turnover increased the pressure on their old computer system became great as it did not contribute enough to the sales and stock management functions and provide necessary information in these areas.

"We needed to be able to control system access levels and user traceability at the same time offer greater ease of use for all staff", says Jethro Varnava the IT manager.

The company needed a computer system that would match its growing customer demand and help it deliver the quality of service that those customers had come to expect from Frank Howard.  To achieve this they ordered a 16 user licence for the Intact Business Management + Accounting Software supplied by Ramtac Computer Systems of Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire, this improved system has been in operation since August 2008.

The success of the system has shown that the company chose well, they have found it delivers the necessary ease of use for all users plus very swift and easy access to information -especially at point of sale. This has helped the company improve even further on its customer service, margins and stock management. 

Frank Howard have 4 PC's on the trade counter, 3 PC's in the sales support area and full multi location stock management and extensive management reporting.

The success of Frank Howard is largely due to their wide product range, strong management team, and like so many tool businesses the membership of THS.

In additon to this web trading and their powerful computer system should help to take them forward and achieving they ambitious growth plan  over the next 5 years.

The recent launch of the website means the company can offer its customers the facility to order online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year.

Frank Howard Tools & Fixings Ltd also make the proud cliam to we not only sell the best range on power tools and hand tools on the market but also offer one of the best professional tool repair services in Essex, making sure Makita, Bosch, Hitachi, Dewalt or Paslode power tools are all kept working at their best.

The company already employs twenty staff, and with the ambitious plan to open a new branch in Essex they plan to grow even more, as well as trade more on their web site and e-bay.