UK Building Products Ltd (trading as GripIt Fixings) has agreed a worldwide licence deal with MarXman Ltd to manufacture, market and distribute the MarXman - the professional marking tool created by Martin and Jenny Chard, which received £50,000 investment from Deborah Meaden in the Dragons’ Den in 2016.
GripIt Fixings - also a Dragons’ Den success story, invested in by Deborah Meaden and led by entrepreneur Jordan Daykin – will begin to develop new sales and marketing initiatives under the MarXman brand name (known as MarXmate in the USA and Canada).
MarXman is a unique tool designed to quickly, easily and clearly mark almost any surface – from tiles to pebble dash, walls to wood or metal, ready for drilling or fixing. MarXman takes the time and frustration out of marking a reference point for fixing or drilling. Visitors to the first Torque-Expo show may recall seeing MarXman in the flesh.
The license agreement will see MarXman Ltd benefit from the international reputation of GripIt Fixings, which exports to 34 countries and has a presence in 5,000 UK stores (including Wickes, Screwfix, Currys, B&Q, Selco and Jewson) and 15,000 stores across Australia, New Zealand (Bunnings and Mitre 10), Canada and the USA (Home Depot)
Founder and CEO of Gripit Fixings Jordan Daykin said: “MarXman is a truly innovative product that appeals to Tradesmen & DIYers across the globe. Its ability to deliver a simple solution to a common problem aligns with the GripIt philosophy. Furthermore, MarXman enhances and complements the Gripit Fixings range of products and creates a perfect partnership for growth and expansion across the hardware and DIY sector, both nationally and internationally.”
Founder of MarXman, Martin Chard, said: "When you consider the success of Gripit Fixings in the UK and overseas, we are very excited about the opportunities this license agreement presents for MarXman and its growth and recognition globally. Our ambition is for every tradesperson and DIYer to have a MarXman in their tool kit.”
Deborah Meaden added: “When Martin and Jenny came into Dragons Den with such a simple yet brilliant solution to a very common problem, they were clear that their interest lay in ensuring Marxman reached its full market potential, but also that Martin’s real interest lay in innovation and product development. I was also very clear that the Marxman was brilliant but to be a “must have” in the toolbox it needed to sell under £5.
"The Agreement with Gripit means that Marxman will now be made here in the UK at a price that will allow retailers to sell at the ideal price of £4.99…pretty much a perfect match!”
