Smith Brothers in numbers 2022
2022 proved to be another successful year for Smith Brothers Stores as we continued along our path of sustainable expansion. Today we reflect on 2022’s key numbers as we begin 2023 on the front foot with high expectations.
125th Anniversary
We proudly celebrated our 125th anniversary in 2022 with company origins dating back to 1897. The year founder Walter Smith began to lay the foundations of what has become one of the largest independent merchants operating in the UK.
The business has transitioned significantly over our 125 years from manufacturing boilers for the shipping industry, to furnishing hundreds of mills built within Leicester and assisting with the war efforts, before finally focussing predominantly on piping and HVAC supplies as the market grew in the 1960s.
500+
Our staffing numbers grew to over 500 in 2022 as we welcomed some of the industry’s most renowned names to support our growth. We expect to welcome more faces into the business throughout 2023 as we continue to expand our branch network and the resources within existing departments.
Are you looking for a career change? Click here to view our careers page which is regularly updated with the latest opportunities.
18 branches in the UK
Following SBS Glasgow’s success, the announcement of a second branch in Scotland due to open in 2023 underlined our intention to expand our coverage north of the English border.
Although due to officially open in the second quarter of 2023, SBS Dundee has already been servicing local customers via a temporary office since November 2022, with SBS Glasgow assisting with stock and customer deliveries.
£168,000,000
Our turnover grew by 20% to £168m, continuing the upward curve marred only slightly at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
£2,000,000 +
Whilst others may look to reduce stock levels to improve cash flow or minimise investment, particularly during recent industry-impacting events (Brexit, Covid-19, material shortages and price increases, etc.) Smith Brothers have remained committed to holding high levels of stock to ensure good availability.
20,000+
Each Smith Brothers branch holds over 20,000 product lines sourced from the industry’s leading suppliers and manufacturers. Each product is carefully selected with the customer in mind to suit all HVAC applications.
850+
The number of SBS customers managing their accounts online via our exclusive online portal www.sbsonline.net
Existing customers can sign up by completing an online access form. Need convincing? Click here to learn more about our portal and its features, and also discover how it can make your purchasing experience even easier.
0 diesel/petrol cars
As part of our decarbonisation journey, our Transport department replaced the last diesel car within our fleet in 2022. This marked a huge milestone, celebrating a complete transition away from diesel/petrol to all-electric and hybrid cars. To date, the business possesses 67 electric and 64 hybrid vehicles with more on order.
