Footprint Sheffield Ltd has acquired the trading assets of Melco Products Ltd, bringing the century-old Sheffield automotive tool brand into Footprint’s manufacturing operation and securing the next stage of development for its specialist tyre-bay range.
The acquisition, completed at the end of June, included Melco’s stock, machinery and intellectual property. Production has now moved to Footprint’s Sheffield factory, with Melco production staff transferring to Footprint and the former Melco directors remaining involved as consultants during the handover period.
Melco’s core range serves the automotive tyre-bay market, with a particular focus on commercial vehicles. Tyre levers, axle stands and bead breakers continue to be made in the UK, while the business also supplies a broad range of traditional wheel braces and wheel wrenches. In tyre levers and bead breakers, Melco is one of the very few remaining businesses able to offer such length and breadth of specialist patterns in this niche market.
Footprint intends to build on that position. The company wants Melco to become the brand of choice in the UK for established commercial tyre-bay tools and traditional wheel-brace and wheel-wrench patterns that are increasingly difficult to source.
Footprint Sheffield is the last dedicated hand-tool drop forge in the UK (see image provided of one of our Sheffield based forges in action). Footprint manufactures pipe wrenches, masonry tools, woodworking and decorating tools, as well as carrying out contract forging for other hand-tool brands. The Melco acquisition gives Footprint access to a complementary market while bringing common manufacturing processes under one roof.
“Melco fits Footprint extremely well. We share a lot of manufacturing processes, but Melco takes us into a market where Footprint has historically had little presence. Our aim is simple: protect what customers value about Melco, make the range easier to find and buy, and invest in growing it. On top of that we are retaining manufacturing skills and jobs in the UK” – Tim Jewitt, Footprint Sheffield Ltd
“Value is not the price. Value is the life of the tool.” – Carl Meldrum, Melco Products Ltd
Existing products and product codes remain unchanged, existing customers and distributors continue to be supported, and the established telephone number remains in use. Product, availability and trade enquiries can be directed to sales@melcotools.com, with the full range available to view at www.melcotools.com alternatively contact your existing supplier of tools for more information.
Melco tools are available through a range of established suppliers serving the automotive, commercial vehicle and tyre-bay markets.
