In 1969, ambitious tool-maker Bill Alderman and his wife Lyn founded Alderman Tooling Ltd. Initially running from a modest workshop in central Plymouth, the business designed and built press and progression tools and supplied volume pressed metal components.
Moving into a custom-built, self-financed factory in Plympton in the early 1970s, the business continued to thrive and organically grow, with a local customer base maintained by Aldermans’ reputation to be innovative with tools and pressed components.
In the late 1980s, further business growth resulted in the need for even more space, so Aldermans moved premises once again. This coincided with its expanding offer, which included bespoke sheet metal component manufacture and, soon after, the supply of tubular and fabricated shop fittings.
Bill’s daughter Karen joined the business in 1998, focusing on developing retail relations and increasing the supply of shop fitting equipment to leading high street brand names. Once embedded within the business, Karen assisted in management, HR and H&S areas of Aldermans and, following Bill’s retirement in 2004, became Managing Director, retaining the long-established family connections.
Offering a wide range of tailor-made solutions, including a full design and manufacturing service, Aldermans has since become one of the most successful sub-contract metalwork manufacturing businesses in the region.
