Frank Howard hosts WHCS show.
There was a stadium first recently, with a Tool Show hosted at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.
He said: “We stage a Tool Show at our head branch in Braintree for approximately twenty manufacturers every year but when we wanted to involve a much wider range of our suppliers, nearly double this amount to attract a much bigger customer base, an offsite location had to be found to see if it could possibly work.
Friday 17th and Saturday 18th July saw hundreds of tradespeople visit the Weston Homes Stand at the stadium to take a look at all the latest tools and machinery on the market.
The stadium was the venue for the show, with Frank Howard Tools and Fixings hosting the event over two days.
The stadium was the venue for the show, with Frank Howard Tools and Fixings hosting the event over two days.
In charge of the organisation of the show was Simon McElrea, Operations & Purchasing Manager for Frank Howard Tools And Fixings, and he was delighted with how the show went.
He said: “We stage a Tool Show at our head branch in Braintree for approximately twenty manufacturers every year but when we wanted to involve a much wider range of our suppliers, nearly double this amount to attract a much bigger customer base, an offsite location had to be found to see if it could possibly work.
"The stadium offered everything we required from the sheer size and services available to the location, space & parking facilities, we felt it could really work and bring about something quite special.
“We looked a few venues but once we viewed the concourse area in the South Stand, a very quick decision was made as CUFC ticked every box.
“We looked a few venues but once we viewed the concourse area in the South Stand, a very quick decision was made as CUFC ticked every box.
"The end result for us always had to be a tradeshow that delivered a professional event that customers old and new would enjoy which we believe it most defiantly did, a great result which also has to be down to the partnership of the club.
“All the staff from Katie in sales through to Sean in operations were fantastic and very helpful during the build-up which made my job organising the set up with manufacturers much easier.
“All the staff from Katie in sales through to Sean in operations were fantastic and very helpful during the build-up which made my job organising the set up with manufacturers much easier.
"With Colchester United’s resources kindly offered by Robbie, we will 100% look at making the event next year even bigger to become the No.1 annual Tool Show in Essex.”
“I would once again on behalf of myself, Frank and all the staff here, not forgetting our very loyal suppliers, would like to thank Colchester United for letting us stage this event which for both parties was a new venture but a very successful one.
“I would once again on behalf of myself, Frank and all the staff here, not forgetting our very loyal suppliers, would like to thank Colchester United for letting us stage this event which for both parties was a new venture but a very successful one.
"As well as the expected tradespeople, there were plenty of householders looking for a good deal on tools and machinery. Overall, it was a great success and we look forward to an even bigger show next year.”
"It was a new venture for us and the stadium and it provided something new and different at the stadium for the community of Colchester and beyond.
She said: “It was fantastic to be able to add a Tool Show to the ever growing list of events that we have held here at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.
Katie Thurgood, Conference and sales Executive at the U’s, liaised with Simon throughout the planning and also hailed the event as a success.
"It was a new venture for us and the stadium and it provided something new and different at the stadium for the community of Colchester and beyond.
She said: “It was fantastic to be able to add a Tool Show to the ever growing list of events that we have held here at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.
Katie Thurgood, Conference and sales Executive at the U’s, liaised with Simon throughout the planning and also hailed the event as a success.