The Foundations of SIP Industrial Products
SIP Industrial Products started back in 1968, based in two small industrial units on Radnor Road in Wigston, Leicester. The business started by selling cut industrial abrasives, and later circular metal-cutting saws and metal saw blades to carefully selected distributors.
As the business grew, SIP Industrial Products saw a large gap in the electric ARC welding market, and began sourcing these from Italy. This area proved extremely profitable for the company and allowed them to continue to prosper throughout the 1970s.
The 1970s: Prospering & Welding Innovation
Since the beginning, quality and new product development has been at the heart of everything SIP does. The late 1970s saw SIP venture into the compressed air market by launching their own small, carefully sourced range of air compressors to their ever-increasing distributor network. The company also began it’s own production of ARC welders – and later Migmate MIG welding machines – both at their Wigston headquarters in a division of the company they named ‘SIP Welding Equipment’, and at an additional production facility in Italy.
The 1980s: Expanding SIP AIR & SIP’s New Home
By the turn of 1980, SIP had began their own production of belt-driven electric air compressors in a division named ‘SIP AIR’. These quality industrial machines – hand-built and tested on-site by skilled and experienced SIP engineers – were instantly popular with SIP distributors and our customers alike. Taking this extra care allowed SIP to ensure that each and every customer received a durable and reliable piece of SIP machinery – a concept that stands today.
SIP were flying high with increasing sales, expanding product ranges, and a reputation for quality. The only problem now was that our Wigston premises were just too small for our ambitions. In November 1980, SIP moved into a purpose-built plant in Shepshed, Leicestershire – where we remain sited today. Situated just off Junction 23 of the M1, this extensive site allowed the entire company to be housed under one roof, perfect for UK-wide distribution.
The 1990s: Home & Range Expansion
SIP increased their product ranges over the following years – covering petrol and diesel generators, heaters, and automotive equipment. By the 1990s, SIP had begun to get larger national retailers on board, trading with the likes of Halfords, Costco, and B&Q. With business booming, the company also extended the warehouse, giving their headquarters a footprint of 65,000ft2, and employing 120+ members of staff to support our expansion ambitions.
SIP in the New Millenium
In 2004, SIP ventured in to the woodworking market. Offering quality and value, many SIP machines, which are heavy with features and benefits, have since been featured on QVC, Ideal World, and other satellite shopping channels, proving popular with woodworkers nationwide.
Since then, SIP have continued to develop new product ranges incorporating the latest technology and innovative design. 2010 saw the launch of a large range of SIP Hi-Tech welders with cutting edge inverter technology. Powerful, efficient, and lightweight, these are now best sellers. Compare them with the first SIP ARC welders from over 40 years ago and you’ll see just how far SIP have pushed forward and made progress over the latest 5 decades.
SIP in the Present Day
Today, SIP continues to go from strength to strength, launching over 100 new products a year and supplying distributors across the UK, and more worldwide through our Export department. The SIP catalogues now include welding, metalworking, air compressors and air tools, battery chargers and starters, booster packs, automotive equipment, heaters, generators, pressure washers, water pumps, vacuuming machines, and woodworking equipment. Carefully selected, all our ranges offer the SIP promise of quality, value, and choice.
Most recently, along with all the new products SIP research and develop, we are proud to have formed strong partnerships with Winntec, who deliver excellent premium lifting equipment, and shop equipment for the automotive industry, and HELVi® welding.
In 2018, SIP Industrial Products celebrated our 50th anniversary in the business.
