Halfords

Infobox Company
name = Halfords

type = Public (lse|HFD)
genre =
foundation = 1892
founder =
location_city = Redditch
location_country = England, UK
origins =
key_people = Richard Pym (Chairman of the board)
David Wild (CEO)
area_served = flagicon|United KingdomUKflagicon|Republic of IrelandIrelandflagicon|Czech RepublicCzech Republic
industry = Retail
products = Ripspeed, Bicycles and accessories, SatNav, Car audio, Tools, Child seats etc.
services = Bicycle repair, vehicle part fitting, audio installation, paint mixing
revenue = £797.4 million (2008)
operating_income = £101.0 million (2008)
net_income = £64.0 million (2008)
num_employees = circa 10,000
parent =
divisions =
subsid =
owner =
slogan = We go the extra mile
homepage = [http://www.halfords.com www.halford.com]
dissolved =
footnotes =
intl = yes

Halfords Group plc (lse|HFD) is a leading retailer of car parts, car enhancements and bicycles operating in the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Czech Republic. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.

History

The Company was founded by Frederick Rushbrooke in Birmingham in 1892 as a wholesale ironmongery.cite web|url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,8210-1633238,00.html|title=And it's all thanks to a passion for a penny-farthing bicycle|publisher=Times Online|date=2005-05-30|accessdate=2007-06-05] In 1902 Rushbrooke moved to a store on Halford Street in Leicester, from which street the name of the Company was derived, and started selling cycling goods.

It opened its 200th store in 1931 and purchased the Birmingham Bicycle Company in 1945. In 1968 it opened its 300th store.

The Company became a part of the Burmah Oil in 1969, following a takeover battle between Burmah Oil and Smiths Industries.

The Company was acquired by Ward White Group in 1983 and subsequently acquired by the Boots Group in 1991. It was then taken over by CVC Capital Partners in 2002 and in 2004 it was floated on the London Stock Exchange. On 11 July, 2005 Halfords entered into a Collaboration Agreement with Autobacs Seven Co., [cite web|url=http://www.autobacs.co.jp/seven_e/release/news.php?id=539|title=Announcement of Collaboration Agreement with Halfords Group plc|publisher=Autobacs Seven Co.|accessdate=2007-06-05] a Japan based car accessory retailer with chains of stores all over the world and who is best known in other countries that do not have an Autobacs store for being the title sponsorship of Super GT and D1 Grand Prix. On 13 December, Autobacs acquired 5% (11,400,000 shares) of the company at approximately ¥7.5 billion. [cite web|url=http://www.autobacs.co.jp/seven_e/release/news.php?id=590|title=Announcement of Acqusition of Stocks of Halfords Group plc|publisher=Autobacs Seven Co.|accessdate=2007-06-05]

Operations

The Company operated 433 stores as at 22 November 2007. [ [http://www.halfordscompany.com/hal/ah/coprofile/overview/ Halfords Corporate profile] ] These stores are in the UK, Republic of Ireland and the Czech Republic. The Company's strategy involves expanding into Eastern European countries where the average age of cars is normally slightly older, and the people are more adept at car maintenance.cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/halfords-looking-to-branch-out-into-central-europe-as-sales-buck-downward-trend-841413.html|title=Halfords looking to branch out into Central Europe as sales buck downward trend|publisher=Independent Online|date=2008-06-06|accessdate=2008-06-13]

Controversies

Halfords was involved in a legal dispute with Italian bicycle manufacturer Carrera over its name as they sold bicycles that was in fact manufactured by the Taiwanese manufacturer Merida Bicycle Company and not the handmade bikes of its Italian counterpart. Halfords, through a legal loophole, was eventually permitted to use the Carrera brand on its bicycles.cite web|url=http://www.cyclingforums.com/t278701-who-makes-carrera.html|title=Cycling Forumns - Who makes Carrera?|publisher=Cyclingforums.com|date=2008-05-20|accessdate=2008-05-20]

ponsorship

Halfords currently sponsor the Team Dynamics BTCC racing team under the name of Team Halfords. [ [http://www.btccpages.com/news/NewsStory.php?SeriesID=1&ArticleID=809 Team Halfords field pair of Honda Civics] ] The team won the BTCC overall Drivers Championship in 2005, 2006 and 2007 with driver Matt Neal. [ [http://www.btccaction.co.uk/drivers/neal.php BTCC action: Matt Neal] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.halfords.com Official Halfords website]
* [http://www.halfordsproperty.co.uk Halfords Property website]
* [http://www.teamhalfords.com Team Halfords Official website]