From a Forklift Mechanic's Idea to the UK's Trusted Cable Tie Supplier
A Simple Idea
Most businesses start with business plans and boardroom meetings. Ours started with our Dad’s enthusiasm for the simple, versatile cable tie. He discovered them while working as a forklift mechanic and couldn't believe how many uses they had. The problem he faced back in the early 1990s was sourcing decent ones that didn't snap.
The "No Bull" Beginning
When his son, Pete, finished college, our dad, Geoff, saw an opportunity. They sourced a high-quality, high-spec cable tie, and Pete went out selling them to local workshops with our dad's motto: "no bull." Pete let the quality speak for itself; sample in hand, no faff, he was always straight about spec and lead times. As orders came in, the kitchen table filled with paperwork, and the old pigsties in our garden were stacked high with boxes. Our mum, Hilary, handled the office side of things, manning the fax machine perched at the back of the living room. That honest, hands-on start is where Cable Ties Direct took shape—and it earned the trust we’ve maintained for over 30 years.
From Pigsties to a National Supplier
We soon outgrew the garden (and the pigsties) and moved into our first proper premises in Sheffield’s Burngreave area, steadily renting extra units as we grew. The space meant we could hold more stock and offer nationwide next-day delivery, establishing ourselves as a leading UK supplier and setting the standard for quality and reliability.
A Family Team with a Core Focus
As demand grew, so did the family team. When Jack and Liz finished college, they jumped straight in, bringing fresh energy and ideas. We broadened our range to over 5,000 workshop consumables, but our core focus has always remained on high-performance cable ties. Today, that means over 400 variations—from standard Nylon 66 tie wraps to specialist options in stainless steel, UV- and heat-stabilised materials, and recycled plastics, reflecting our commitment to sustainability.
Our Values, Our Promise
Today, from our bustling warehouse near Meadowhall, we support customers across the UK and beyond. Some of our team have been with us since those early days, sharing the same dedication to getting it right the first time. Geoff and Hilary officially retired during COVID, but they’re still our best sounding boards.
We’re not a faceless corporation. We’re a family and a team that values honest work and prides ourselves on being a dependable supplier to customers big and small. When you choose us, you get:
• High-Specification Products: Reliable ties and fixings that meet industry standards (RoHS, REACH, ISO 9001:2015).
• Deep Technical Know-How: Over 100 years of combined industry knowledge to help you find the right product for your application.
• Honest, Reliable Service: Consistent stock, clear lead times, and a team that picks up the phone to solve problems fast.
• A Trusted UK Partner: A Sheffield-based business built on over 30 years of customer trust.
We understand the importance of a good supplier, so we make it our priority to be the best for our customers.