MAKING LIFE EASY FOR PEOPLE WHO USE TOOLS Grupa Topex (GTX) of Poland has recently been investing heavily in the development of its brand through various media channels and the Internet, participation in trade fairs, and in the dynamic growth of its product portfolio. Today, the company offers nearly 5000 products, is present across 40 markets in Europe and beyond, and has over 4000 business partners. Piotr Potowski reports.
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number of key events have taken place in the recent history of GTX which have further strengthened its operations. Firstly, the company’s restructuring and name change in 2012 was a confirmation of its transformation, and an important part of the 2011–2015 long-term development strategy implementation process. As a result of these changes, the company began to build its new business ‘identity’ based on a clearly-defined mission, vision, values and concrete strategic goals. “We have also rebranded the TOPEX, NEO and GRAPHITE brands by introducing new logotypes, new product and packaging design, new online services and new standards at points of sale,” adds company director Piotr Potowski. “It is through stable development of our own strong brands that the company is building its actual value, evolving from the position of a ‘distributor of tools’ towards that of a strong ‘marketer’.” GTX has also introduced a successful Tool Centres Project, a professional tool user supply network developed around the trading locations of the company’s key clients operating in Poland. In addition, the GTX SERVICE platform was launched, which marks yet another step in GTX’s professionalisation. Last but not least, construction of an automated warehouse has been yet another recent highlight. Today, GTX brands are present on over 40 different markets. Of course, Poland is an important one, as GTX is its leader; nevertheless, when discussing the development of the company it is vital to focus both on western and southern Europe as well as on Eastern markets. GTX has three daughter companies headquartered in Romania, Russia and the Ukraine. However, the political and economic situation in the latter two has not been particularly favourable, which provided the company with a new business challenge. For a number of years now, GTX has been focusing more strongly on its development outside Poland’s borders.
A modern logistics centre GTX owns an ultra-modern, innovative logistics centre allowing for fast and efficient servicing of both domestic and export markets. The centre, apart from a long-functioning, automated, 10-stand completion line, includes an automated pallet warehouse with a capacity for 15,000 pallets stored in a double deep system. The main function, apart from storage, is the automated loading of pallet collection points and completion of free-rotating goods on the Good to Man (GTM) station. The warehouse is serviced by four stacker cranes of 22 metres in height. There is also an automated container warehouse with a capacity for 13,000 containers stored in a double deep system. Four stacker cranes of 11 metres in height service this warehouse, and they are some of the most modern devices of this kind in the world. Overall, the centre has the capacity to process 30,000–40,000 orders in 24 hours. It operates in a two-shift system, and the rate of completion of orders to a very high standard is approximately 95 per cent.
Key brands GTX brands fall into two main product groups: hand tools and power tools. In addition, since 2015 the company has been heavily investing in the third pillar of its operations, namely the GTX SERVICE which carries out repairs, has a massive warehouse for spare parts and offers other services. The company offers three brands of hand tools. The NEO brand, dedicated to professionals, comprises an extensive assortment of products provided with a 25-year warranty and TÜV certification. The TOPEX brand is dedicated to DIY enthusiasts and it is the most recognised Polish brand of tools with a history nearly equal to the 25 years of operations of GTX. The TOP TOOLS brand is dedicated to those who, when buying tools, are Industry Europe 35
