Third Generation Joins Southern Power Tools as Family Business Celebrates 45 Years and Expands with Electrical Safety Tools Platform 14th January 2026
Posted by: electime 15th January 2026
Southern Power Tools, a trusted supplier to the trade, utilities, and industrial sectors for over four decades, is marking its 45th anniversary with a major milestone: the launch of Insulated Hand Tools, a dedicated e-commerce platform supplying 1000V-rated, VDE-certified insulated tools for electricians and electrical contractors.
The celebration comes with a generational twist – as founder Peter Bartlett and son Drew Bartlett welcome daughter Sophie Bartlett into the business, officially marking the third generation to join the family company. Her arrival signals a fresh era of growth and digital innovation while maintaining the strong values that have defined Southern Power Tools since Peter started the firm in 1979: trust, technical expertise, compliance, and outstanding customer care.
Peter Bartlett, Founder and Managing Director, said:
“Little could I have known when we first opened the doors of our then micro business back in 1980 that I would now be writing this and welcoming the third generation of the family into the fold – a very proud moment. Battling through many challenges through the years, including multiple recessions and the pandemic, has meant being flexible, resilient, and always focused on serving the trade properly.
This has been possible through great teamwork and, in particular in more recent years, my son Drew’s ability to identify new specialist markets and build strong technical service offerings around them. I may be biased, but I genuinely believe our proposition is unrivalled in our areas of expertise and I am incredibly proud of what Southern Power Tools stands for today.”
Drew Bartlett, Director of Southern Power Tools, added:
“Reaching 45 years in business is a huge milestone for us, but seeing my daughter Sophie become the third generation of Bartlett to join Southern Power Tools makes it even more special. She’s gaining hands-on experience across the business – from accounts and procurement through to warehousing and customer support – and that’s exactly how we’ve always built this company: from the ground up, with a deep understanding of the trade. Everything we do is about building something solid and sustainable for the long term.”
The new Insulated Hand Tools website gives the utilities industry, electrical contractors and site teams a simple, secure way to source fully safety-certified insulated tools for live working, testing, and maintenance, supporting compliance with the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations, EAWR, and site safety requirements. Backed by Southern Power Tools’ decades of experience in compliance services, HAVS safety, and technical training, the platform provides trusted guidance for staying safe, compliant, and productive on site.
Southern Power Tools is also recognised for its deep industry partnerships and innovative, problem-solving approach, including exclusive proprietary products such as the SureDuct Tool – a purpose-designed duct cutter invented by Drew. SureDuct has transformed ducting work across the utilities and construction sectors and is now widely used nationwide throughout organisations such as UKPN, for safer, faster, and more efficient installations.
As the company looks to the future, its blend of family leadership, electrical safety focus, digital expansion, and unwavering commitment to the trade ensures that Southern Power Tools – and now Insulated Hand Tools – continue to set the standard for reliability, compliance, and expertise in the electrical and construction industries.
Visit the new Insulated Hand Tools site: www.insulatedhandtools.com
Southern Power Tools website: www.southernpowertools.co.uk
SureDuct website: https://www.sureduct.co.uk/
