Toolden Limited secures £675k loan from Royal Bank of Scotland to drive growth

Toolden's warehouse team
Toolden Limited, an online retailer of power tools and hardware, is set to secure its future in Ellon with the purchase of its previously rented premises, thanks to a £675k loan from Royal Bank of Scotland.
With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Toolden has evolved from an outbound sales force, supported by vans that brought products directly to customers across Scotland. This strong foundation paved the way for the launch of their online business in 2016. The acquisition of its premises in Ellon will serve as a crucial launchpad for further development, enabling Toolden to meet increasing customer demand while enhancing the overall customer experience.
Offering over 60,000 products in its range, the business currently relies on delivering approximately 25% of its stock directly from wholesalers. However, this latest move will allow the business to bring almost the entirety of its stock in-house, with the goal of streamlining the delivery process and improving the customer experience.
Expansion remains a key goal for Toolden, and the acquisition of these premises has already led to the creation of new roles within the business. The team has bolstered its brand and marketing department and is actively recruiting customer service representatives.

Toolden's Ellon site
With nearly 40% year-on-year growth, Toolden is poised to compete with the largest retailers across the UK. As part of the Aberdeenshire community, Toolden is committed to ensuring the long-term sustainability and success of its operations in the northeast of Scotland.
As part of this, Toolden has also made significant strides in reducing its environmental impact with deliveries handled by DPD and Royal Mail to help cut the carbon footprint.
Alister Sellers, managing director & shareholder at Toolden Limited, said: “Whilst our business has grown and changed a lot over the last thirty years, we have always remained committed to delivering and improving our service from our community home here in the North East of Scotland.
“The purchase of these premises is a massive step for us in securing this future and we thank Royal Bank of Scotland for their support.
“We are delighted with the growth we have seen and we hope this move marks the beginning of an even stronger, more streamlined business that will only build on this trajectory.”
Eileen Tocher, relationship director at Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “Toolden Limited is an outstanding example of a business that has successfully adapted to changing market conditions while maintaining a strong commitment to sustainability and community support.
“At Royal Bank of Scotland, we are one of the biggest providers of community support to businesses and we are proud to apply our industry knowledge to help businesses like Toolden. We’re delighted to assist a business with a great reputation in the North East as it extends its reach throughout the UK.”