70 years of supporting engineers
Rothwells is an independent, family-run MRO supplier in the North West. We have a personal approach to B2B trade and this has set us apart since 1954.
We offer an extensive range of products both on and off screen, with many of our customers coming to us for special order items that they struggles to source elsewhere.
Everything that your company needs to operate, maintain, and repair your production line - from power tools to PPE, slitting discs to spillcare, lubricants to loo roll - we source and supply from our branches in Rochdale and Nelson.
It runs in the family
In 1954, WW2 veteran Herbert Rothwell opened the current Duke St premises to sell tools and various ironmongery to local trades. It’s said that he built the internal warehouse racking in such a fashion that it could be easily dismantled and broken down into ammunition, should another war come to pass.
Luckily, no such war was on the horizon and the Rothwell family operated the company until its acquisition by Roy Nuttall in 1992. One year later, Roy became Chairman of Rothwells as his son Chris was appointed Managing Director.
The father and son duo went on to expand Rothwells’ product ranges over the next two decades; branching into machine tools and oils, specialist engineering supplies, PPE, branded workwear, spill control, health and safety and cleaning supplies.
When Roy passed away in 2017, they had transformed Rothwells from a simple ‘nuts and bolts’ shop to an established manufacturing and engineering supplier.
Over the years, the company has supplied beekeeper’s suits, daffodil bulbs, a fridge, 7,500 rain ponchos for the commonwealth games, a large water feature for a sixth form college, and even some dog seizers for local dog wardens.
Many of Rothwells’ staff have served for between 20 and 30 years, making the team an invaluable knowledge pool for local manufacturers and engineers in need of a wide range of supplies.
To welcome in a new decade and a new generation of business, in 2020, Chris was joined by his daughter Charlotte Nuttall. Charlotte became the Rothwells’ Digital Operations and Marketing Manager, tasked with modernising the company’s internal and external systems as part of its futureproofing plans.