About Robert Lee Distribution
The Robert Lee you see today is a hybrid of two of the industries most respected and independent distributors, Mark Abrahams and following their acquisition in 2000 Robert Lee London Ltd. Known today, simply as, Robert Lee Distribution Ltd we are arguably the UK’s largest independent distributor of bathrooms, showers and plumbing products, supplying retailers and merchants.
We have 27,000 different product lines and with a purpose built 95,000 sq ft head office in Waltham Abbey and branches at Swindon, Tamworth & Manchester.
We supply 99% of our customers on a next working day delivery.
Ordering is easy, a team of over 20 experienced staff are waiting to take your call, and all orders received by 5pm will be delivered next working day.
To find out about the history of Robert Lee, view our timeline below.
1855 | Lord Palmerston becomes Prime Minister at 70 years of age. |

1855 | The first edition of The Daily Telegraph is published on 29th June. |

1855 | Mark Abrahams sets up in business selling glass in London. |

1855 | David Livingstone discovers Victoria Falls (named after his queen) in modern day Zambia. |

1880 | Mark Abrahams acquires new offices in Leadenhall Street and installs one of the first telephone systems. |
1880 | Gilbert & Sullivan’s ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ opens on 3rd April at the Opera Comique in Westminster. |

1880 | W. G. Grace makes his England debut in the first Test match in England against Australia. |


1880 | Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) is adopted as the official time for Great Britain. |
1912 | RMS Titanic hits an iceberg on her maiden voyage and sinks with the loss of over 1500 lives on 15th April. |


1914 | Britain declares war on Germany on 4th August beginning what came to be known as the Great War. |
1934 | The first Mersey Tunnel, The Queensway, connecting Liverpool with Birkenhead opens. |


1934 | Stanley Matthews makes his England debut against Wales and scores in the 4-0 victory. |

1934 | Mark Abrahams & Sons acquires builders merchant Humphrey & Gordon and Swayes Tiles. |

1946 | Robert Lee founded in Islington, North London. |


1966 | Robert Lee moves to 33 Sutherland Road, Walthamstow, London E17. |

1969 | The Lunar Module from Apollo 11 lands on the moon on July 20th. |

1966 | The Ford Cortina MK1 goes into production. |

1972 | The final part of the M6 motorway - The Gravelly Hill Interchange, known as Spaghetti Junction opens. |
1972 | Robert Lee bought by Diplomat plc. |

1979 | The Jubilee line, London’s newest Underground line named in honour of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977 opens. |
1979 | Robert Lee Swindon depot opened. |

1981 | Robert Lee Thetford depot opened. |

1983 | Robert Lee moves to Clifford Road, Walthamstow. |
1984 | Robert Lee Tamworth depot opened. |
1984 | ‘Do They Know it’s Christmas?’ is recorded and released by Band Aid selling 3 million copies. |


1990 | In November, following the merger of Sky Television and British Satellite Broadcasting - BSkyB becomes the UKs largest digital subscription television company. |
1995 | Blackburn Rovers win the Barclays Premiership. |


2000 | The Millennium Bridge across the Thames is opened in June then closes again for two years as it is considered ‘too wobbly’. |
2000 | Mark Abrahams Distribution Ltd buys Robert Lee. |
1995 | Blackburn Rovers win the Barclays Premiership. |


2007 | Robert Lee purchases new purpose built warehouse in Swindon. |
2003 | Robert Lee moves to new premises in Waltham Abbey, Hertfordshire. |


2007 | Robert Lee purchases new purpose built warehouse in Swindon. |
2008 | Arley Professional brand relaunched nationwide. |

2010 | New premises opened in Huddersfield. |

2010 | Birmingham based confectioner Cadbury is bought by American food chain Kraft for £11.5bn. |
2013 | Robert Lee purchases JSB Ltd in Manchester. |

2014 | Robert Lee launch the Synergy brand nationwide. |
