Fareham firm celebrates being one of the best places to work as it combats tool theft with new service

Williams & Co in Fareham recently announced that it was placed 92nd in the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For in 2020.

It has also just launched a new service to help tradespeople who have been victim of tool theft.

Its Tool Angel service allows registered members to receive a free temporary tool kit worth over £2,000 to use for up to two weeks, to allow them to continue to work while they make arrangements to get other tools.

At the end of the two weeks they can either buy the tools at a discounted price or give them back to the shop.

Marketing manager Alison Puddle said: ‘Some 47 per cent of tradespeople have been affected by tool theft, it is a big issue for all of our customers. For our customers it is not just that they have had their tools stolen, it is that they can’t do their job. If someone is just starting out that could mean their business collapses.

‘We listen to what our customers are saying and if they have big concerns we will give them a solution that keeps them working.

‘We can’t stop tool theft but we can do what we can to help.’

The company, which has 38 branches across the UK and employs around 380 people, also kept its two-star ‘outstanding’ rating in the Sunday Times list, which is decided through surveys handed out to staff to gain feedback on their working lives.

HR advisor Amy Davies said: ‘It’s really good to be placed again, we’re all excited. Our score is a little lower than last year because of the challenges that have gone on in the company, but we are all really happy to be in the top 100. It shows we are still a good company to work for.’