One of the UK's leading DIY and tool distributors has fallen into administration, resulting in the immediate loss of more than 100 jobs.
A Sudden Collapse After Supply Chain Struggles
Toolstream Limited, a major supplier to retailers and merchants across the UK and Europe, officially appointed administrators on December 11, 2025. The directors of both Toolstream and its parent company, Group Silverline Limited, called in Hywel Phillips and Gavin Park of Teneo Financial Advisory to act as joint administrators.
The company pointed directly to the lingering effects of the global COVID-19 supply crisis as the primary cause for its failure. Administrators stated that challenging trading conditions in the aftermath of the pandemic led to limited stock availability, which severely impacted profitability.
Efforts to Secure Future Prove Futile
Despite attempts to work with stakeholders and secure the necessary funding to continue trading solvently, these efforts were unsuccessful. As a result, the difficult decision was made to pause all trading activities immediately.
Employees were reportedly called to a meeting late last week and instructed to remain at home until further notice. Administrators confirmed that a total of 111 redundancies have been made. A small number of staff have been retained to assist the administrators with the process.
Hywel Phillips emphasised: "Our priority is providing support to all those made redundant. We appreciate that this is a very difficult and uncertain time for all involved."
What Happens Next for the Business?
Toolstream operated as the sole distributor for over 6,000 branded products, including hand tools, power tools, fixings, and workwear under well-known names like Silverline, Triton, and Scruffs. The company's latest filed accounts, for the period up to July 31, 2023, reported profits of £57.7 million. Notably, its subsequent accounts for 2024 are overdue.
The administrators are now actively inviting interest from parties looking to acquire the assets of the companies. Toolstream is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Silverline, which owns the freehold property from which it trades.
This collapse marks another significant blow to the UK's retail supply sector, still grappling with the economic aftershocks of the pandemic and ongoing market pressures.
