A 103-year-old tool business, ran by the same family for four generations, will be sharing its behind the scenes story as the latest feature of an award winning family business podcast.
Draper Tools, in Chandler's Ford, has joined the family business podcast It Runs In The Family. The Hampshire based UK tool distributor is headed by the founder's great grandsons, Tom and Joe Draper.
On episode 40 of the podcast the brothers reveal how they are set to carry forward the century old history of the business alongside the firm’s non-family managing director, Graham Wade.
Podcast co-host Liz Willingham said: “Anyone heading into their garage or toolbox will likely find a trusty Drapers tool. Famed for its hammers, screwdrivers and socket sets, the Drapers name is one that carries quite some weight in the UK.
“The Drapers are a family of astute and sensible business people, so much so that Joe and Tom recognise the value they can add to the business and where they need support, leading them to appoint and work alongside a managing director. This episode takes a brilliant ramble through the Drapers' history and its journey, as a family and as an organisation.”
READ MORE: Parker Baits, in Durley, celebrates one year of bait business with family fishing open day
Listeners will learn about the story behind the UK hardware business and what it was like to grow up around a big business. Additionally, the brothers will reveal how they are trusting non-family members to write their business’ legacy and how they retain their brotherly bond as co-directors.
Commenting on how the brothers have handed over control to a family friend, podcast co-host Leila Willingham added: “As an evolution of a 100-year-old business, we think this organisational model sounds excellent. It must be easy to stick to the status quo and pass the business from generation to generation. To challenge that is brave and bold. On a practical level, this might feel an uncomfortable structure for some family firms but for Tom and Joe this works and this episode reveals how.”
The podcast was launched in February 2021 by the founder and managing director of PR and communications agency Liz Lean PR, Liz Willingham, and her daughter Leila, who is business and PR account manager at the agency. The mother and daughter duo started the podcast when they began their own family business journey.
SEE ALSO: Shop owners watch Lockerley village store break in over Facetime from an airport in Greece
It Runs In The Family is currently ranked as number 39 in the Great Britain entrepreneurship podcast chart as well as number 12 in the top international family business podcasts and number three in the UK. The podcast attracts listeners from 42 countries such as the United States, Canada, Russia, Germany, France and Australia.
Episodes are streamed on Amazon podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify and online. For more go to lizleanpr.co.uk/podcast-runs-in-the-family/.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here