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 | Beta
Beta Utensili's origins and growth
Eighty years' commitment, four generations of people.
A thrilling history connected with the great 20th-century Italian industrial adventure. It was back in 1923, when Alessandro Ciceri set up "Alessandro Ciceri & Figli", involved in iron and steel cast manufacturing. The trademarks Robur (accessories for cables) and Beta (professional tools) were registered in 1932 and 1936 respectively.In 1939 Damiano Ciceri succeeded his father and, despite the unfavourable economic trend as World War II approached, he made it possible for the family-run business to grow.
After the War, Beta became committed to manufacturing widely used hand tools for the car and bike industries as well as for agriculture and power lines. In the early 1960s the company employed 200 staff and started to export its products. Over the decade they began to stand out as a growing business in the professional tool industry.
The revolutionary trolley, 'Tank', made from orange sheet metal, was developed: that colour would be a symbol of Beta's style ever since. Alessandro and Daniele Ciceri took over the company during the 1970s, diversifying and expanding the product range.
This meant an innovative choice within an industrial panorama where Italian-based small-size businesses tended to concentrate on a few types of tools. The company also started taking part in international fairs, meeting with immediate success and increasing its exports.
In the same period Beta Utensili entered the Formula 1 world, with a view to enhancing its trademark and innovating the technology of its products.
In 1975 Beta scored the first victory, with Vittorio Brambilla, who won the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix at Zeltweg in the pouring rain.
Beta would remain committed to the racing world in the following years, supporting such outstanding teams as Ferrari, Williams, McLaren, Jordan, Benetton, Suzuki, Aprilia and Yamaha.
In 1973 Beta started a new factory in Castiglione d'Adda (LO) and took over an automatic plant for manufacturing screwdriver blades in Switzerland.
The first CED was set up: Beta took some more major steps on the road to technological and management improvements as required to further penetrate the international market.
In the early 1980s, Beta transferred the production of accessories for cables, Robur, to Sulmona (AQ), where Sigma Metallurgica was founded.
Beta also remained committed to IT development; using CAD/CAM software translated into significantly enhanced design and manufacturing quality.
In the early 1990s the current Ciceri generation entered the Board of Directors. Beta invested massively in both technology and research. Laser cutting technology was introduced and the manufacturing cycle was robotized. Setting up subsidiaries abroad made it possible for Beta to further penetrate the main European countries; subsidiaries were set up in France, Britain, Holland and Spain.
In 1995 it took Beta Utensili no more than 8 months to have its Quality System certified in accordance with the ISO 9001 standard.
Beta currently exports its products to over 90 countries; in early 2000 a new branch was set up in Poland.
Over the last five years the product range has been expanded to a significant extent, namely from 5,000 references in 1998 to over 9,000 of them, as divided into 24 families.
In 2001 Beta became involved in manufacturing safety footwear, having the relevant turnover tripled within no more than three years.
In 2004 Beta is to market its new range, Beta Workwear, thus making it possible for the company to enter the work clothing industry.
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|  | Britool Quality
Britool has been the UK's premier hand tool brand since 1908, and represents world class performance and quality.
Professional users appreciate the precise engineering, and the name commands loyalty.
Presented for professional users-Britool is acknowledged for its high levels of safety in use.
Britool is the brand of choice for all areas of engineering-from aerospace to industry.
Britool, a Facom Group company
Owned by the international Facom group since 1991, the Britool brand is presented and marketed as distinct range, through its own network of distributors. Other Facom products marketed from our UK headquarters are Sykes-Pickavant automotive products, and Facom hand tools.
Product range with innovation
Britool has many product firsts to its credit-for example the first bi-hex socket, and the UK's first surface drive bi-hex format.
The Classic torque wrench is the 'industry standard' product. First introduced in the 1950s, it has been continually updated, and is preferred for its 3-state torque signal-sight, touch, sound.
User factors-ergonomics-play an important role both in the upgrade of existing products, and the development of new ones.
For over a decade Britool products have benefited from the high levels of technical and manufacturing expertise within the Facom Group.
Produced under total quality management systems, tools exceed British and European standards. |
|  | Established in 1899, originally as CC Wakefield, Castrol launched their first
lubricant for cars in 1906 and have been at the leading edge of motor technology ever since. Choosing the right engine oil for your veteran, vintage or classic car is essential for ensuring peak running condition and maximum wear protection for your engine. To make this decision easier Castrol have re-introduced three famous engine oil brands on which veteran, vintage and classic cars were designed to run. Historically many motor manufacturers often recommend Castrol by name in their original handbooks and now today’s owners are able to follow those recommendations. |
|  | HeliCoil Quality
HeliCoil Inserts provide positive means for protecting and strengthening all tapped threads. They are mirror smooth, reinforced internal threads of cold rolled 18-8 stainless steel, or other space age material, with hardness far in excess of the usual tapped materials. The outstanding engineering features of HeliCoil Inserts, long recognised by the leading aircraft, industrial and military equipment manufactures, have established their widespread use in these fields. The many company standards and defence specifications of HeliCoil Inserts also prove their wide acceptance.
Warning:- For extremely severe service involving contact with acids, alkalies or sea water, Stainless Steel Inserts are not recommended. |
|  | A Bit of History
Founded in 1856, Abingdon King Dick is an established manufacturer of quality engineering tools.
Originally Abingdon Engineering, the company made a variety of goods, such as gear boxes, chains and motorcycles, for several years before concentrating solely on producing quality, professional user tools from the turn of the twentieth century onwards.
Now with a worldwide reputation for quality and performance, King Dick tools are chosen by today's discerning professionals, knowing that their rigorous demands for reliability will be achieved. |
|  | German Quality
1862
The company is founded (efficient drop-forge) by Eduard Wille (age 25) products: pokers and fire-tongs conversion to tool forge factory space 150 m² products: various forged steel tools.
1901
The tool catalogue already covers 290 pages and includes 150 product families. products: amongst others, special tools for engineering, ship-building, repair work, metalworking, forging, coachwork and all metal and machine processing fields.
1938
The company is taken on by Eduard and Waldemar Wille, brothers, and grandchildren of the founder. They employ a staff of around 400.
After 1955
Moderate expansion of this family-owned firm. The multilingual catalogue contains around 3,000 different tools. Adaptation of design, production, distribution and administration to the requirements of a changing, expanding market.
STAHLWILLE "today"...
Joint stock company limited by shares all owned by the family, similar to a German "Aktiengesellschaft" (AG.): Management is by Managing Directors who are independent of the family, checks and controls exercised by an advisory board. Employees over 600 (STAHLWILLE Group)
Exports worldwide: over 60 % to more than 90 countries.
Wholly-owned distributors.
Three different production locations, all in Germany.
Ten well-assorted product families of handtools and special tools, produced to demanding STAHLWILLE quality standards. Target groups: industry, automotive, aerospace. Close cooperation with vehicle manufacturers & aerospace manufacturers.
The first German toolmaker to be DIN EN ISO 9001 certificated. |
|  | Teng Tools
From small beginnings in the early 1980's Toolstars has grown to become one of the UK's leading distributors of hand tools.
Today the company is the UK's exclusive distributor for Teng Tools, LiMiT measuring tools, Momento impact sockets and Race air tools - full details of all these products can be found by clicking on Catalogue.
As a founding member of Toolstars, the European Tool Group, we have access to what is probably Europe's largest range of hand tools with stocks throughout Europe. Plans are already in hand to launch new ranges to compliment the existing brands; plans that will make Toolstars UK the number one choice for professional quality, branded hand tools. |
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All Prices Exclude VAT where a single price is given |
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