Mac Tools

About Mac Tools

Mac Tools, now part of the world’s largest tool manufacturer Stanley Black & Decker, has much humbler origins. Founded in 1938 as the Mechanics Tool and Forge Company by seven men who wanted to manufacture the finest tools in the world, they grew steadily, helped by sizeable US government contracts they received during WWII.

Fast-forward to 1963 and Mechanics Tool and Forge rebranded as Mac Tools, and continued to go from strength to strength.

In 1980 Mac Tools became part of the Stanley brand and in 1990, expanded into the UK.

With more than 175 franchises around the UK, Mac Tools is thriving, with impressive year-on-year growth for the last four years driven by its philosophy of excellent quality, price, innovation, and service that has remained unchanged since 1938.

In 2010 Stanley & Black and Decker joined forces, giving franchisees access to brands like DeWalt, Facom and Britool Expert as well of Mac Tools.

Today the Mac Tools franchise has over 42,000 products: from hand tools to power tools and toolboxes to electronics and speciality items that defines quality, selection, and value.

The Mac Tools vision is a commitment to be ‘Great to Work With™’.

Why should I invest in a Mac Tools franchise?

A Mac Tools mobile franchise is different from other franchise opportunities.

A mobile franchise gives you the freedom of the open road. Travel your own route, build lasting relationships with your customers and work your territory on your own terms.
This is the ideal business if you are a people person, build relationships easily and want to offer quality tools from leading brands.

As part of your Mac Tools franchise, you are provided with a professionally equipped and stocked van, and you aren’t charged ongoing royalties; your profit is your own.
You’ll be fully supported every step of the way. The failure rate for a Mac Tools franchise compared to a regular business start-up is significantly smaller, while one in three start-ups fail within the first three years, historically only 2.6 per cent of franchises fail. As a Mac Tools franchisee you’ll have the benefit of being your own boss but with the backup of a global brand.

Mac Tools is also a full member of the British Franchise Association and has won a whole host of different industry awards.

Do Mac Tool franchisees need an automotive background?

Not necessarily. If you have a sales background or good business experience that will be helpful as would a basic knowledge of the tools a mechanic uses. However, though experience is advantageous, the right attitude, drive and determination are essential. If you don’t have this experience, their comprehensive training and coaching could fill in the gaps.

How much does a Mac Tools franchise cost in the UK?

The franchise fee is £5,000, which gives you the right to resell your franchise in the future.

If you want to retire in the future you can put your Mac Tools franchise up for sale.

The start-up package is £50,000 plus VAT, (VAT is reclaimable), and most of that money is used to buy stock and give you the working capital you’ll need while you build up your business.

The income from a Mac Tools franchise is upwards of £50,000 from one territory, and top franchisees are earning an income in excess of £100,000. Some franchisees have turned their business into a family affair, with sons and brothers joining the franchise network and partners helping with administrative tasks.

Mac Tools has a close working relationship with many of the franchising departments in major banks in the UK and offers two financing options.

Did you know?

Mac Tools has outlets available across the UK

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If you invest £15,000 and top up with a £35,000 bank loan, you will get the franchise’s best-trading terms. Alternatively, if you invest £3,750 and top up with an £8,750 bank loan, Mac Tools will provide the remaining finance, and you get the lower trading terms.

How does the Mac Tools franchise model work?

Mac Tools has been offering franchising opportunities in the UK since 1990 and has growing year-on-year ever since. This isn’t an accident: with nearly thirty years of experience, Mac Tools has developed a full support network for franchisees.

A Mac Tools franchise is the full package. In short, you’ll receive everything you need to get up and running. Help with financing if needed, comprehensive training and ongoing coaching, professional marketing support, business support including a brand new liveried van (subject to a lease agreement) stocked with a large selection of their products for you to sell, a laptop and personalised software, and phone and email support from head office.

A Mac Tools franchise is a commitment of at least five years, as well as the financial investment, so it is essential that you do your own due diligence to ensure that this is the right business opportunity for you.

How can apply to be a Mac Tools franchisee?

Applying for a Mac Tools franchise is a multi-step process. The franchise approval and recruitment process are five steps that take you from application through to business set-up.

Once Mac Tools receives your application and discusses any additional details the team needs, you’ll move to Discovery 1.

The Mac Tools team will meet with you at your home and present the opportunity and also discover if they feel this is the right opportunity for you. If this is successful, you move to Discovery 2.

Now, you get out on the road with another franchisee so that you are able to fully understand the business and are able to decide whether it is the right fit for you.

Discovery 3 is the second interview, followed by a final meeting at a Mac Tools office to ensure you are suitable as a franchisee.

The final step in the process is business preparation, where Mac Tools take you through the business setup process, supporting you at every point, so you are ready to start building your business.

What training and support does Mac Tools offer its franchisees?

Once you and Mac Tools have agreed that this a great business opportunity for you, you’ll visit the franchise’s training centre in Sheffield for a two-week residential training course on everything from product training to systems training and sales. This training is the first part of the TLC programme (Training, Launch, Coaching).

Once training is over, you’re ready to go. When you launch your business, you’ll have hands-on help and guidance for the first two weeks from one of the field sales managers who will advise you on everything from route planning to marketing your business and help to establish you in your territory.

The coaching and mentoring elements of your training are ongoing for the first 12 months. Also, there is in-territory support in the form of growth planning and product launches, twice yearly conferences at tool fair events and full business support from the accounts, credit and customer service teams.

Mac Tools wants you to succeed and will do everything they can to make it happen. If you’re successful, then Mac Tools will be successful.

If a Mac Tools franchise sounds like a good fit and you’d like further information or to start the application process, please fill in the enquiry form on this page today.