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NEWS COMPANY PROFILE
Product quality and service is critical for growth From a regional distribution company, Marshal Tools has grown into a national supplier of quality products to the hardware industry spanning three decades.
T
he Marshal journey began in the early 90’s with Trevor Marshall taking control of a KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) based manufacturing agency and distributor
2007 - 2016
In 2007, an opportunity arose for a partnership between Marshal Tools and a local wholesaler
called Zelroy. At the time, Zelroy, which was
named Mattken Industries led by Carl Page. Mattken
established in 1981 and led by Jimmy Mcintosh, had
supplied a complimentary range of hardware
built a solid reputation supplying internationally
including brushware, spray paints and plumbing
In May 2016, Marshal Tools secured the rights
recognised brands to KZN hardware and
products. Trevor and Allan recognised synergies
to distribute Tolsen, an internationally recognised
engineering supply sectors. The brands included
between the two companies and this led to the two
brand with distributors in over 150 countries
Record Tools, Rawlplug, Vicker Tools and Viro Locks
merging and effectively servicing the engineering
around the world. The expansive Tolsen product
to name just a few. Trevor’s son, Allan Marshall,
and industrial sectors, DIY, electrical wholesale and
range, which comprises of over a thousand
joined the business in 1991 and the company
now plumbing and paint sectors. It was at this stage
products, offers great value for money and a
showed impressive growth over the next decade.
that Trevor Marshall retired and left the two young
quality to price ratio stacked heavily in the quality
2003 - 2007
men, Allan and Carl, to lead the business into the
department. Acquiring this brand was a real feather
future.
in the cap for Marshal Tools. Quality products at
2016-2021
competitive prices coupled with impressive concept
A new and stronger Marshal Tools came into being.
competitive, innovative, great looking and complete
and distribution of Blumol holesaws, drill bits and
The company continued to show impressive growth
solutions for its varied customer bases.
recognised local brands. In 2003, while at the
under its new leadership, not only expanding
international Cologne Trade fair, inspiration struck
its product offering but its market reach with
Marshal Tools – Cape Town Bound
and the idea of creating the Marshal brand was
the strengthening and upgrading of its KZN
In January 2021, Marshal Tools opened a new
born. With the addition of product categories such
operations. This included the company’s relocation
branch in Milnerton, Cape Town. The decision
as diamond blades, builder’s tools and general
to new improved premises in 2010. Coupled with
and planning to open this branch was amidst
hand tools, the Marshal product portfolio, and
the addition of a network of experienced and
the Covid-19 pandemic and all the uncertainties
service offering, was improved and expanded upon
passionate sales representatives and agents,
that came with it. The Marshal team put their
between 2003 and 2007.
Marshal Tools now distributed its product ranges
heads together to calculate risks and rewards,
Fast forward to the early 2000’s. Zelroy had expanded into the wholesale sector of the hardware industry, this resulted in the importing
NOVEMBER 2021 DIY & INDUSTRIAL TRADE NEWS
nationally and to neighbouring SADC countries.
stand designs allowed Marshal Tools to provide
