About Us
Harmsworth Townley & Co. Ltd was founded by Mr W G Townley in 1945 manufacturing high quality hand riveting tools for both the UK and World market. During the 1950’s he developed and patented the King Klik Lazy Tongs hand riveting tool and at one point during the 1960’s he was supplying over 90% of the World hand riveter market. While the riveter business continued to expand Mr Townley invested in the design and manufacture of specialist high power transformers exporting his products worldwide. Through a series of innovative product design and marketing strategies he was able to steer the business through the vagaries of the British economy for over 55 years.
In 2002 the business passed to Mr Townley’s daughter, Clare, who decided to keep the business within the Family. Following a detailed analysis of the existing business at the time, reviewing its strengths and reappraising her own values Clare decided to embark on a massive transformation of the company’s strategic position within the economy.
Combining her business acumen with her passion for sustainable development she moved the entire business to new purpose-designed premises, invested heavily in advanced Information Technology systems and embarked on a total redefinition of the company’s business strategy. The new product range now includes:
High Quality Hand Tools
Specialist Fasteners
Westcode and Ixys High power semiconductors
Solar PV Systems and accessories
Renewable Power Generation products and accessories
Solar and alternatively powered educational gifts and Toys
Now located in the picturesque market town centre of Todmorden in Lancashire Harmsworth, Townley & Co. Ltd is nestled in the Calder valley surrounded by the stunning hills of the Calderdale Way. Its central location in the town enables easy and sustainable access by bus, train and foot.
As part of the building program, the company installed themselves a 2.5kWpeak Solar PV system which generates upto 25% of their annual electricity demand. The building design incorporates a natural ventilation system along with a self installed solar hot water system linked to a biomass boiler which provides the entire building’s hot water and central heating requirements. Throughout the property all walls were insulated, including the external walls using a state-of-the-art low energy insulation rendering system. A low energy lighting system was installed within the building incorporating movement detectors for the less frequently occupied rooms.
As a demonstration of her commitment, not only to her employees, customers and the environment but also to the community as a whole Clare set up the Werner Townley Fund for Community Cohesion, Administered by the community Foundation in Halifax. The aim of the fund is to encourage cultural harmonisation within the Todmorden catchment area.
Here at Harmsworth, Townley & Co. Ltd, we believe that from sustainability comes quality. Products and services must be of the highest quality for their target market if they are to endure.
Harmsworth, Townley & Co. Ltd has seven areas of focus
The Electronic Component Division markets power semiconductors and fuses and complete rectifier assemblies. Link www.HighPowerSemiConductors.co.uk
The KING KLIK Manufacturing Division produces a range of state-of-the-art hand riveters and rivet nut tools designed for industrial maintenance and low volume production applications as well as home and DIY use. Link www.RivetsFastnersTools.co.uk
The Fastener Division markets a diverse range of speciality metal and plastic fasteners and associated power tooling. Link www.RivetsFastnersTools.co.uk
The Industrial Hand Tool Division imports and distributes the leading brands of American and German screw driver bits and accessories, specialist hand tools and Industrial hardware. Link www.RivetsFastnersTools.co.uk
The Sustainable Energy Division specialises in on and off grid alternative power systems: providing advice, installation services and components. Link RenewableSystemComponents.co.uk
The Solar PV Division focuses on Solar Photovoltaic energy: installing on and off grid systems and supplying components Link www.Solar-Gold.co.uk www.SolarComponents.co.uk
Solar and alternatively powered educational gifts and Toys
Advanced Solar Powered gifts ranging from simple solar powered motors to solar powered robots. Link www.SolarToys.co.uk
Our Staff
Our staff provide an essential link with our customers providing them with a wealth of expertise and continuity of service one would expect from a family firm with 60 years of trading history. Customers can be certain that when they contact Harmsworth, Townley & Co. Ltd they will be dealing with someone who is sympathetic to their needs rather than just an automated voice.
Rod Iveson
Fastener and Tool Division Manager
Rod has been with the company for over 20 years and has a wealth of experience in this sometime complex field of industrial fastenings and tools. Please do not hesitate to contact him for sales and advice on fastener and tool applications.
Bob Butterworth
Electronic Component Division Manager
Bob, another long standing member of our team at Harmsworth, Townley & Co. Ltd, has been with the company for almost 15 years and has recently taken on this new and challenging role. Bob has a great breadth of knowledge having worked in almost every department within Harmsworth, Townley & Co. Ltd and provides a great sense of continuity within the company. He prides himself in giving customers a high level of service.
Rebecca Frost
Accounts Administration and Internet Sales Coordinator
Rebecca has been with the company for almost five years working within the accounts department. She has now taken on the role of our Internet Sales Coordinator. All correspondence relating to our internet sales will pass through Rebecca who will ensure all matters are dealt with to your complete satisfaction.
Glen Mattock
Accountant, Company Secretary and Operations Manager
Married to the Managing Director for almost 20 years Glen has been with the company for over ten years working as the accountant and operations manager. As the company has developed he has taken on the role of managing the renewables side of the business.
Graduating with a BSc in Microbiology, he went on to study business and management at Huddersfield University. Following a period of work in Industry he went on to achieve an International MBA (Masters in Business Administration) from Staffordshire University. Glen is now working towards a Masters In Engineering to complement his new role within Harmsworth, Townley & Co. Ltd.
Apart from a keen interest in renewable technologies, IT systems and Business Glen in a keen Martial Artist with a Black Belt in Tae kwon-do.
Clare Townley
Managing Director
A maths graduate with an MSc in Operational Research, Clare Townley took over the business four years ago. Since then she has relocated the business to new custom designed premises, integrated a wholely new IT and Management Information System and invested heavily in Internet trading. An analyst at heart, Clare has managed to redefine strategic mix of the company putting the customer and the environment at the centre of her business ethos.
Harmsworth, Townley & Co. Ltd has always prided itself in supplying it customers with high quality goods with a high level of service.