12 Volt Planet

Totally wired

Online electrical component store 12 Volt Planet offers an integrated product and information service for trade and DIY customers. WN finds out more…

Created as a one-stop shop for off-grid wiring projects for both trade and DIY customers, 12 Volt Planet stocks a huge range of 12V and 24V electrical supplies for the boating, leisure and vehicle sectors. Operating entirely online, the company features an easy-to-use webshop plus a comprehensive Knowledge Centre providing hints and tips on all things electrical, and has developed a global presence since it was established eight years ago. 

Background

The idea for 12 Volt Planet was born out of managing director Paul Ballard’s frustration at not being able to source all the relevant electrical components for his camper van conversion in one place. At the time he couldn’t find one supplier or retailer selling a broad enough range of products for his off-grid project, and he struggled to source reliable and accessible information about selecting the right equipment for the job. Seeing a gap in the market, Paul created 12 Volt Planet in 2013 with the joint goals of stocking high-quality wiring and electrical components for camper van conversions and educating customers about all the different pieces of equipment they might need so that they could make informed purchases. 

“The company has come a long way since Paul started it as a one-man band in his garden shed,” explains Craig Geerthsen, sales and marketing coordinator. “12 Volt Planet now employs ten staff and has recently taken up new premises in an 8,000ft² Buckinghamshire warehouse.” It’s a move that will allow for continued expansion in light of the increasing popularity of off-grid living and 12V electrical needs. 

Core products

Electrical components suitable for use in the marine sector have featured on 12 Volt Planet’s books from the beginning. While Paul’s passion is for camper vans, his family has a strong sailing background. This has given Paul a good awareness of both markets and allowed him to identify where there are crossovers or differences between the requirements for land vehicles and boats. 

Among the firm’s most popular products is, unsurprisingly, cable. “Our tinned copper cable, available in single-core and multi-core versions, sells particularly well, especially to the marine market where the additional corrosion resistance is vital,” says Craig. “Other top sellers include inverters, DC-DC battery chargers and solar panel kits.”

Sustainable power is an area that 12 Volt Planet has seen increased demand for over the last couple of years and it shows no signs of waning. The company has experienced growing numbers of enquiries from people wanting to explore greener alternatives to noisy, dirty diesel generators, especially from boating customers and mobile vendors who operate food and drinks businesses from vehicles. Solar panels offer the most obvious and cleanest solutions, but there’s an ever-expanding range of hybrid options, combining propulsion with battery charging. 

Knowledge is power

Right from its inception, 12 Volt Planet pledged to provide accessible and useful information about 12V and 24V wiring projects and the equipment required to carry them out. A dedicated section of the website is split into categories including electrical circuit basics, cabling, fusing, split charging, leisure batteries, LEDs and solar panels, and is kept up to date as new technology enters the market. 

A drive in 2016 to expand the Knowledge Centre and brand awareness for 12 Volt Planet led to the addition of videos, providing customers with another way to access useful information. New articles are regularly added to the Knowledge Centre and the company is growing its YouTube channel with unboxing videos for new products as well as bite-sized tutorials on different types of electrical equipment. 

There are lots of occasions when customers need more personalised advice regarding their projects, and while 12 Volt Planet doesn’t have a shop front for visitors, the technical team is always happy to help with enquiries over the phone. “We all have experience of working with 12V electrics and know our products very well,” said Craig. “We work hard to make sure we have the right information to pass on to our customers, or we will go and seek out answers if necessary.” 

As well as providing guidance on the right types of products, the technical team will give direction to customers who may be heading down the wrong path. “It’s about giving them the tools to make the best decision for their project.”

Future plans

The company’s established online business model and growing social media presence have paid dividends over the last couple of years, allowing 12 Volt Planet to not only ride out the pandemic but continue to grow. Aside from a two-week closure in March 2020, the business remained open throughout the various lockdowns and saw a massive surge in sales as people took the time to tackle essential maintenance work or take on new DIY projects. “It’s part of the reason we moved into bigger premises earlier than we might have planned,” reveals Craig. “We needed the space to allow us to grow and now that the lockdowns are behind us, we’re still seeing upward trends in sales, which is really positive for us.” 

The company isn’t sitting back on its success, however. There are plans to expand its portfolio, particularly in the marine sector, and it is inviting new trade customers to get in touch. “We offer trade discounts and it’s very easy to get set up with 12 Volt Planet via our sales team over the phone or by email,” says Craig. “We’re always open to working with other businesses.” 

FIND OUT MORE

12 Volt Planet

01844 885100

sales@12voltplanet.co.uk

12voltplanet.co.uk