As one of the UK's leading retailers and distributors of components, accessories and equipment, Maplin Electronics brings you the "World of Electronics and Beyond".

Experience
The company was founded in 1972, at a time when there were numerous other companies in the market offering electronic components and equipment to the general public. However, most stocked government or industrial surplus items which, while cheap, were inconsistent in both quality and availability.
Maplin offered a different service in supplying brand new and high quality components to the home, the hobbyist and small industrial user, available from stock. Today, it still has that same customer base, plus major clients including many of the UK's best-known companies and institutions, such as British Telecom and the Ministry of Defence, who have appreciated the high service levels and product ranges offered.
In addition to the leisure enthusiast and business user, Maplin supplies many schools, colleges, universities and industrial educational establishments. It also sells to over 50 other countries, either directly or through appointed distributors.
In December 1994, Maplin was acquired by Saltire Plc, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange. Saltire has a number of other electronics distribution companies in the UK and Continental Europe, and has been able to identify areas where benefits can be gained by sharing resources and best practice. Plans are in hand to open more Maplin stores and Maplin superstores in major urban areas.

Product Ranges
At the heart of the business is the Maplin Electronics catalogue, including details of upto 37000 products lines that we can offer, as well as technical advice and tips. The broad range of national and exclusive brand products covers:

Specialist components, test and measurement equipment
Cables, tools and electromechanical products
Sound and vision products Hobbies, kits and education products
Computer accessories and networking products
General electrical and security products

The company has extensive operations in the Far East, with its own buying offices in Taiwan (Maplin Taiwan), Hong Kong and China (Nikkai Hong Kong), where staff are involved in the sourcing, buying, quality control and shipping of products, and a packaging operation in the Philippines, (Cubipaq).

Maplin Direct Mail
Maplin Mail Order operates a thriving mail order business, trading on its strengths of quality products and same-day despatch service. At one end of the spectrum, this is a high service level, broadband electronics distributor competing with some of the world's leading distribution companies. At the other end of the spectrum, most of the UK's electronics enthusiasts have appreciated the convenience and value of dealing with a company which is able to cater for their needs as well as the more specialist needs of larger corporate customers.
Maplin's catalogue operations underwent considerable changes in 1996 as part of a series of moves aimed at preparing the company for the 21ST century. The long-established distinctions between types of technically qualified customers were set aside and for the first time, all Maplin's customers were given access to its entire product range through the Maplin Electronics catalogue.
Previously, industrial and institutional customers had received a twice-yearly catalogue published by Maplin Professional Supplies (MPS, a separate marketing arm of the company), while hobbyists and other customers had received their own Maplin technical catalogue, published every September.
From September 1996, a single full-colour catalogue, containing complete information of all the company's product lines, was made available to all. Over 280,000 copies of the catalogue are printed, making it the most widely available in the UK. Updated twice a year, a large proportion of the catalogues are sold in the high street through WH Smith and Maplin stores.

Technical Support and After-sales Service
Maplin employs over 740 full and part-time staff, providing customer service of the highest quality. In 1991, it was awarded ISO 9002 distributor accreditation, which not only guarantees quality and reliability, but has opened the way to being able to supply major companies and government departments in the UK and throughout Europe.
A free 'do you do' service is available to all customers, and more personal technical advice can be provided in each of the catalogue stores nationwide. All products are fully tested and evaluated by Maplin's own test laboratories for compliance with all the latest European safety and other regulations before being accepted into the Maplin catalogues.
If any product should fail to satisfy the customer's expectations, Maplin offers a `no quibble' seven-day money back guarantee on mail order items, together with a one-year repair or refund service in the unlikely event that any product is faulty.