Celebrating Tony Smith’s 25 years at SBS

Standing out in a competitive world requires more than ability; it requires dedication, vision, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

This year, we celebrate Tony Smith, our esteemed Sales Director, who marks 25 years with Smith Brothers Stores. As we reflect on his incredible journey, we acknowledge his significant achievements and the lasting impact he has made on our organisation.

The Early Days: Before SBS

Tony Smith began his sales career at R. Pochin and Sons, now known as Pochin, a well-established plumbing and heating distributor in Leicestershire. From the outset, Tony demonstrated a natural talent for sales and a deep understanding of customer needs. He worked at the same premises for over 18 years having begun in 1981, even as ownership changed hands. Another notable period of his pre-SBS career was his tenure as a Sales Manager for PTS in the East Midlands region.

Joining the SBS family

In 1999, Tony joined Smith Brothers as a Sales Manager, bringing with him a wealth of experience from the plumbing and heating sector. His impeccable aptitude for numbers, a trait inherited from his late father, John Smith, quickly earned him recognition from senior members within the business.

An inspiration in the workplace

He became Sales Director in 2005, where he set out to inspire our staff, driven by the SBS ethos of staff, stock, and service. In addition to focusing on sales, he serves as the Midlands Director, making vital decisions for six of our branches. Tony’s dedication has been instrumental in expanding our business and branch network from three Midlands-based branches to twenty-one across the UK. He also plays a pivotal role in maintaining strong relationships with our extensive supply chain, ensuring we offer the best products and services to our customers.

Beyond Smith Brothers

Outside of his professional life, Tony is the captain of the over-60s Leicestershire table tennis team. Under his leadership, the team has reached the top of the Premier Division, boasting an impressive track record of winning all but one of their matches over the last three years.

Click here to see Tony Smith in action.

Tony is also a world-ranked pinball player with the International Flipper Pinball Association, participating in tournaments to earn ranking points. The points are awarded according to the tournament’s field strength, number of participants, format, and the players’ finishing position.

Click here to view his listing.

A Legacy of Excellence

As we celebrate this milestone, we are reminded of the profound impact Tony Smith has had on our company. His 25 years of service are a testament to his achievements and the growth and success of our organisation. Looking forward, we are excited about the future and confident that we will reach even greater heights under his continued leadership.

In honouring Tony’s 25th anniversary, we celebrate not just a career but a journey of dedication, innovation, and excellence. We are grateful for his contributions and look forward to many more years of success together. Here’s to Tony, a true leader and inspiration!

SBS Annual Service Awards

Tony’s milestone was celebrated as part of our annual staff service awards! A huge congratulations and thank you to those who have reached their 10-year milestones with us in 2024!

James Hunt – Trade Counter (Bristol)

Sean Fowler – Driver (Leeds)

James Hardwick – Driver (Leeds)

Billy Winstanley – Warehouseman (Leeds)

Danielle Fowell – Transport Co-ordinator (Leicester)

Ross Loan – Internal Sales (Rainham)

Jo Laundy – Internal Sales (Southampton)

Stephen Godwin – Senior Health & Safety Manager

Martin Payne – Retirement announcement

After an incredible 30 years of dedicated service to SBS, Martin Payne from our Northampton branch has decided to retire and embrace a more relaxed lifestyle. Since joining us in 1994, his contributions have been invaluable, making significant projects like the relocation in 2007 much more manageable with his assistance. While his colleagues have humorously noted his occasional taste in music, they cannot praise his work ethic and character highly enough, which genuinely reflects his impact.

We are filled with pride and admiration for his three decades of service, and we are deeply grateful for all he has contributed to the business. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavours!