Welcome to Tools Plus. Since 1979 we have been providing the local community with the broadest selection of Hand Tools, Power Tools, Woodworking Machinery and Accessories. We began business with a 600 square foot rent, and from those humble beginnings have grown into our own 9000+ square foot building, located in Waterbury, Connecticut. We began our internet store in 1999, the early days of web commerce, with the same Yahoo Store we use today. Buying things on the internet has evolved in many ways, stronger types of security, more user-friendly shopping carts, quality of product images, and methods of marketing products. Throughout these changes, we have worked hard to stay on the edge of new technologies, and provide our internet customers with the best possible shopping experience.
A while back, Home Depot moved into this area of Waterbury, right across the street from us, in fact. There was some initial worry that the direct competition with this giant would hurt our business, but after several years it is clear that that has not been the case. Although going up against a retail giant is never easy, not only have we thrived with them in our back yard, we have continued to succeed and grow at a controlled pace. One can never be sure exactly why we have done so well, but we like to think it is because we work hard to provide our customers with the lowest possible prices, friendly and extremely knowledgeable customer service, and a very diverse selection of products.
To accommodate the increased volume of sales that we do over the internet and retail store, we added a new warehouse not far from our retail store. By doing so, we can take advantage of manufacturer deals and make sure we have adequate stock for immediate shipment to our customers. Any savings we derive by bulk buying from our manufacturers are reflected in our low prices. The new warehouse, expanded office facility, as well as our continued enhancements to our computer system, are just a few advances we are doing to prepare the business for the next era.
The store itself is over 9000 square feet. The first floor is where all of our power tools, hand tools, and accessories are on display, and the shelves are stocked to the ceiling to contain the variety and quantity on hand. Upstairs is a showroom of some of our most popular woodworking and shop equipment. The second and third floors also house the stock that we rapidly use when re-supplying the store downstairs and sending out our Internet orders. The shipping department, manned and busy sending out orders all throughout the day, is also on the second floor.
The front counter of the store is the base of operations for the 100 plus years of combined industry knowledge behind the Tools Plus name. From here, many questions are answered, and solutions are forged in person or by phone. When you speak to someone at the front counter, you should expect an honest, detailed response to your questions. Unlike some Internet retailers that never even see their stock, the people at the front counter can be holding a tool in their hand as they describe it to you. The plus in Tools Plus stands for the hands on knowledge that comes with every tool we stock and every sale we make.
Eric Savelle is the owner of Tools Plus. He started the tool selling business in 1980 with nothing but $5,000, and a co-signed $20,000 loan. He bought a basement full of merchandise and held liquidation sales at hotels, having no permanent location until he began to rent a small 600 square foot store. From youth, he always loved anything with a motor, but all of his learned knowledge about the industry came from years of listening to his customers' stories, and benefiting from the wisdom and experience that they impart. The philosophy that he built this business with was to always treat customers like he would want to be treated in their place. At 51 years old and after 25 years in business, he has thoroughly enjoyed the process of preparing for the next, undoubtedly exciting, 25 years.
Jeanne was born in Brooklyn, NY and raised in Shrub Oak, NY. She moved to CT to be with her husband and has been with Tools Plus since 2003. Her background is in Insurance and has a degree as a Professional Liability Underwriter and Insurance Broker. Since joining Tools Plus, she has been a Systems Analyst and quickly became our General Office Manager due to her skill and dedication. She enjoys her job because of the interaction she has with phone and internet customers, and she works hard to troubleshoot problems and make sure that everyone is satisfied with their ordering experience. Jeanne is a mother of two grown children and Lucy the dog and Buba, Jack and Nelly, their three cats.
Bob was born in Derby, CT and at the age of 16, got his start in the woodworking industry with a job in a lumber yard. Since then he has worked in many areas including woodworking, kitchen design, remodeling, and layout work, but what he enjoys most is sales. With over 30 years of experience, 9 of them with us, and an in depth knowledge of the tools and machinery we sell at Tools Plus, Bob enjoys helping customers learn exactly what tool fits both their needs and their budget.
John was born in Danbury, CT and now lives in Torrington. He started off his career working in the family iron working business, and has been Shipping Manager here at Tools Plus since 1999. His favorite aspect of the job is talking to the international and military customers that call in their orders, and he has made several friends overseas in his time here. In his free time, he likes to spend time with his wife and daughter, and enjoys NASCAR Racing.
Peter is from Terryville, CT and got his Bachelors degree in Human Development at the University of Connecticut. He has always been an avid computer user, and puts his skills to use for us in the capacity of Internet Customer Service and Order Processor. Peter enjoys the challenge that comes with working with customers to meet their individual needs, and challenges himself with getting as many orders done a day as possible.
Tracy has been with Tools Plus since 2000 as our Accounts Payable agent. Her attention to detail and thoroughness is extraordinary, and she enjoys dealing with our various vendors from around the world. She is the mother of two teenage boys, which is a full time job in and of itself.
Margie is our most senior employee, with us for almost 20 years. She works from home as she raises her two daughters as a single parent. She is our purchasing agent and through the wonders of modern technology she is able to work for us full time while raising her kids full time. Margie not only buys the tools for Tools Plus, she personally uses and tests them out through her many home building projects. She loves gardening and landscaping and being involved with her daughters in Girl Scouts, soccer, and dance.
Struggling to care for a growing family, Johnny came to us from Oxford Connecticut and works as our Receiving Clerk. Recently assigned to "light duty", Johnny has resigned himself to "eating for two" and coming up with a name for his new bundle of joy. After his upcoming maternity leave, we expect Johnny to return back to work with the same sharp wit and sense of humor that got him where he is today. Good luck Johnny!!
Brian is a seasoned veteran of Tools Plus and the lead in-house programmer. He can also be held responsible for the development of the website and devouring of the doughnuts. He attended Wheaton College and is a marathon runner enthusiast. His work on the Tools Plus newsletter has been appreciated greatly. Favorite Expression: "Kirk, wake up...break is over."
Kirk is the 2nd of our resident pair of website gurus. In addition to maintaining the harmony between the digital customers and Tools Plus, he is also responsible for many of the terrific graphics and images seen on the site. He is a music connoisseur who can operate the fork lift like a true champion, and he is never one to shy away from happy hours. When not hard at work, Kirk enjoys spending time with his family while avoiding yard work and excessive outdoor activities.
Quick with a joke and a light for your smoke, Dan Perez is a Tools Plus Customer Service Sales Associate. He is a man of many talents, most notably accomplished with an Associates Degree in Liberal Arts & Sciences, and soon to be Business Administration, as well as bilingual, speaking both English and Spanish for the added benefit of the customer. He lives in the Naugatuck Valley area and loves to spend his free time either in the company of his friends or girlfriend. He is also a beer connoisseur with an unending supply of enthusiasm for motorcycles, car shows, UFC championship fighting, darts, pool, and of course, foosball.
Loren, often known as simply "The Count", is the most recent addition to Tools Plus. The Count's main purpose is pretending to be an Inventory Control Manager. Not one to shy away from hard work, he is responsible for handling all products moving into and out of Tools Plus. The Count has an obsessive love of counting (arithmomania); and he often will count anything and everything, regardless of the size, amount, or how much annoyance he is causing his fellow co-workers. He comes to us from New York as a family man and musician at heart, with two beautiful children and bass guitar skills that rival Geddy Lee. Until his music career kicks off, you can find Loren only here, at Tools Plus.
Lucy is the Tools-Plus "Jill of all Trades". One moment you'll find her crunching computer code and the next she'll be on the loading dock motivating the shipping department. More than just a watch dog, Lucy possesses those prized canine skills that have catapulted her to the top of the food chain. Her "take no prisoners" attitude is a perfect compliment to her "scratch my belly" softer side.
