About Us

Elmdale Welding and Engineering Supplies Ltd is a family owned and operated business that has been established for over 50 years. We offer customers the widest choice of quality welding products at the most competitive prices, coupled with the highest possible level of service.
We are one of the largest independent distributers in the U.K. which allows us to source products competitively, so you can be safe in the knowledge you are getting value for money. Our large stocks and network of sites means we can quickly fulfil urgent customer orders, ensuring you have the right materials and supplies when you need them.

Our experienced sales team pride itself on building strong customer relationships and can offer free expert help and advice to customers on welding equipment, materials, and techniques. In the unlikely event our customers present a question we are unable to answer right away, our wide network of suppliers and partners can always provide the information required.

We only offer products from leading manufacturers and brands we trust. This means our customers can expect quality products at competitive prices rather than cheap alternatives.

We are extremely proud of our history at Elmdale. See below a brief overview from our first 50 years!

The Formation
John Elms and Brian Grisedale formed the partnership that is Elmdale Welding and Engineering Supplies in 1969. The local shipbuilding and repair industry gave the company the opportunity to grow in a specialised niche market for welding equipment.

John Elms

Brian Grisedale

Elmdale’s first store was housed in a cupboard at a company called Wragg Brothers, a customer whom we still trade with to this day. The business then developed from two people to four, employing a salesperson and a van driver. The van driver being our current Chairman, Peter Elms. The small team developed business around the Essex area and increased sales and growth up and down the Thames Corridor leading to the purchase of our first premises in Rayleigh, Essex.

During Ted Heath’s 3-day week, and the steady decline of the local shipbuilding industry, John & Brian recognised the need to identify new opportunity. Oil had begun to flow in the North Sea, so in 1975 they decided to place an advert in Aberdeen’s local journal in the hope of attracting someone to open a welding distribution business in the area. A Gentleman named Sid Stevens answered the advert and Steveweld was formed. 

Expansion
Steveweld’s business in Aberdeen developed very quickly, and it was not long before Elmdale were able to expand into Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth, building on the success and connections made in Aberdeen. Subsequently Elmdale opened its second branch in Lowestoft in 1989.

Grainger Welding Supplies were a formidable competitor but in 1991 had fallen into financial difficulty and so they approached Elmdale. This became Elmdale’s first acquisition and through acquiring Grainger we were able to gain distributorship with ESAB and with the hard work of Elmdale and Grainger’s previous efforts combined, we gained the custom of the majority of the larger companies in Essex.

Soon after the acquisition both John and Brian retired, at which point Peter Elms became Managing Director.

Peter Elms

Peter was keen to build on his success’s working as Elmdale’s sales manager and acquisition of Grainger, in which he played a key role.

During his time as Managing Director Peter made a string of acquisition which propelled Elmdale to be one of the largest independent welding distributors in the country.

The Future
We are now at the beginning of a new era for Elmdale as Peter becomes company Chairman and his son Simon Elms moves into the role of Managing Director.

Simon Elms

Once again Elmdale will have to adapt to a rapidly changing industry and political landscape. The effects of Covid-19, Brexit and climate change will all have an impact as we move forward. Elmdale are well positioned to make the most of new opportunities as they arise, whilst continuing to maintain and build on the successes of it’s past.

Elmdale are not standing still, and we head into the future restructured, with a new management team, a new online platform and a fresh desire for continued growth.