About Straightset

History of Straightset

• 1987: Straightset Limited was formed

  Straightset was formed in November 1987 after a management buy-out of the vehicle workshop development division of SPX subsidiary VL Churchill. With 3i on board as the required institutional investor, the Worksop based team headed by Paul Bates made great strides on the Garage and Bodyshop equipment market in the UK by offering an approach different to the competitors of the day.

• 1998: Straightset moves premises

  At a time of expansion Straightset acquired new larger premises, on the same sought after Dukeries Industrial Estate, which is conveniently placed with easy access to the A1 and M1 motorways. The new location allowed Straightset to custom design a head office that met the demands of a growing project installation and Service business, as well as a large warehouse facility to stock spare parts and equipment.

• 2004: Straightset New Fabrication Shop

  Straightset opened a specialist on site Fabrication Shop to meet the bespoke demands of our customer requirements. With a team of fabrication specialists, able to build, recondition and repair garage equipment from cassette's for in-ground lifts, oil tanks, workbenches and much more.

• 2009: Straightset Independence Day

  We pride ourselves on always fiercely maintaining our independence. In 2009 Straightset bought out the shares owned by 3i and now stands as a large national workshop equipment company in the UK to not be owned by a manufacturer or to be a member a trade organisation. This total independence – giving the customer more choice – is key to how we operate today.

• 2014: Service Management System Integration

  We set out to select and integrate and innovative Service Management software into the business. This provided us with complete control over our stock management, engineer scheduling and customer reporting.

• 2016: Straightset Family Business

  After a successful career as a CIMA qualified chartered accountant, Richard Bates, son of Paul Bates, joined the Straightset team. As our Operations Manager, Richard is instrumental in managing the system integration and overall running of our successful Service Department.

  Julia Blake, the daughter of Paul Bates also joins the Straightset team, bringing with her over 10 years experience of Marketing and Internet Advertising experience.

  Together they work with the Directors of the business to continue the success of Straightset; providing customer service which is second to none.

• 2018: 30 Years of Straightset

  With this our 30th Year in trading, we have some exciting projects and innovation planned:

  We launched a new responsive website, on a proven ecommerce platform. The site is built on our core ethos of offering our customers service which is second to none, navigating them through the site easily to the information they need. Whether customers want to browse through the range of carefully selected manufacturers equipment and create a quotation basket, or purchase a huge stock of spare parts directly. The site also features helpful bespoke tools, such as the ability to source your local service controller directly for immediate breakdown requirements.

• 2019: Bahco Automotive Tools

  Straightset partnered with Bahco, the premium quality hand tools manufacturer and supplier, to bring their quality range of tools the Automotive market.

  The carefully chosen product range of more than 9,000 tools, relevant to the automotive market, are available to buy online at straightset.co.uk. This exciting partnership enables Straightset to truly offer its customers the full workshop solution, from workshop design, garage equipment supply including vehicle lifts, MOT equipment, tyre equipment, air compressors, installation services, workshop furniture to the full supply of tools to complete your workshop needs.

• 2020: Adapting to change

  With 2020 being an unprecedented year due to Coronavirus, our dedication to our customers have remained the same. During lockdown we continued to support our customers who were operational during this time, with emergency and breakdown support. Following lockdown, our focus remains on helping provide our customers with adaptive, innovative and flexible initiatives, to move with the market demands, all in line with our constant commitment to health and safety. We have launched a range of innovations, contact us to find out more.