Helping shape one of the UK’s biggest and most popular trade events
Solutions2 has worked alongside Screwfix since 2014 to help develop and evolve Screwfix Live from a brand experience event into one of the UK's largest trade exhibitions.
What began as an event for local tradespeople to get ‘hands on’ with products has grown into a major national event attracting around 30,000 visitors, showcasing more than 200 brands and thousands of products across Farnborough International.
Throughout that time, we have helped shape visitor experiences, launch new brands, develop feature areas and support the strategic evolution of the event.
The Brief
When we first became involved, Screwfix wanted to create something different.
The objective was to give tradespeople the opportunity to see, test and compare products in person, creating interaction that wasn't possible through catalogues or online channels.
The event needed to combine the best elements of retail and exhibition environments. It had to be informative and commercial, while maintaining the community atmosphere that has always been central to the Screwfix brand.
Our initial brief started from simple logos and the iconic Screwfix catalogue from which we developed the design and delivery of seven Screwfix-owned brand areas, alongside key visitor features including registration, giveaway areas and tills.
Where it all began... Solutions2 at Screwfix Live 2014;
How it's going... Solutions2 at Screwfix Live 2025;
The Event Now
Over the last 12+ years, Screwfix Live has transformed significantly.
As visitor numbers increased, the event became a major sales platform as well as a brand experience.
Rather than simply delivering exhibition stands and till points, Solutions2 has worked alongside the event team to
-
Launch new product ranges and brands
-
Reposition existing brands
-
Develop demo environments
-
Introduce sustainability-focused areas
-
Develop family friendly hospitality spaces.
-
Create interactive features that allow visitors to test products
From gravel pits designed for work boot testing to ‘Back of the Van’ demonstration zones and sustainability hubs, every area has been developed with the end user in mind - tradespeople looking for practical solutions.
.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=Stock%20Up%20The%20Van%20(2).png)
.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=Swirl%20(2).png)
.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=Wiha%20(2).png)
Our Partnership with Screwfix
Planning begins months in advance through workshops, concept development and regular project meetings. We work closely with buyers, marketing teams, product specialists and event managers across Screwfix to imagine and design areas that
• Clearly communicate product benefits
• Encourage hands on interaction
• Balance experience, demonstration and storage
• Maintain consistency across multiple brands
The Results
After more than twelve years of collaboration, Solutions2 has helped support the growth of Screwfix Live from a brand experience into one of the UK's most significant trade events.
For the 2025 edition alone, we designed and built:
• 18 individual Screwfix feature and brand areas
• Multiple central visitor experiences
• Exhibition stands for participating brands including Wiha, Thames Distribution and Scrubb
We have also helped Screwfix Own Exclusive brands exhibit across shows outside of the Screwfix universe including Flomasta, Wiha and Site.
