Interactive Timeline
SBS History
1897
The Story Begins
Smith Brothers is established by founder Walter Smith.
1902
The First Move
The company moves from Saffron Lane to Aylestone Road, which was occupied up until 2016.
1907
Limited Company
Smith Brothers becomes incorporated to a limited company.
1959
Postcodes introduced
Postcodes were introduced and Sydney Smith gave the parent company the famous ‘wrong’ postcode of LE2 7PB. Wrong because it didn’t mirror the adjacent buildings, but instead his house located 900 yards away. The incorrect postcode stood the test of time until 2019 when it was changed to LE2 7QJ.
1978
Expansion of Leicester
SBS expand Leicester by purchasing units on adjacent road, Batten Street.
1980
Northampton – 2nd Branch
Smith Brothers decide to expand for the first time opening a branch in Northampton. The branch later relocated to the unit in the picture after the previous unit had history of flooding.
1989
Computers
The company begin recording details on a computer system starting the move away from the paper-based routine.
1998
Rebrand
Logo is redesigned to incorporate our yellow diamond which is still present today.
2004
Acquisition of Peterborough – 3rd Branch
The company completes the purchase of Apex Ltd in Peterborough giving better coverage with distribution available across the East of England.
2006
Rebrand of Peterborough and opening of Oldham – 4th Branch
The previously acquired company Apex changes its name to SBS and the company opens the Oldham depot servicing Lancashire & North West area.
2007
Leeds – 5th Branch
Shortly after the Oldham branch, SBS Leeds followed in 2007 taking the network of branches up to five.
2008
Birmingham – 6th Branch and SBS now online
The 6th depot to open is based in Smethwick, Birmingham servicing Birmingham & the West Midlands region. 2008 also sees the launch of SBS on the web.
2009
Rainham – 7th Branch and Leeds relocates
SBS open its 7th Branch, based in Thurrock and the Leeds branch relocates, moving to a purpose built 22,000 sq ft unit due to customer demand.
2011
Bristol – 8th branch
SBS Bristol opens for business, which can service the South West. Leeds have six figure investment covering their roof in 200+ solar panels generating annual yields nearing 50,000 kWh.
2012
Southampton – 9th branch
Southampton becomes the most southern branch situated in Eastleigh. The website is redesigned along with the launched of our circular logo. Partnership with MEP (Hirestation) is announced to assist customers with tool hire.
2013
Vehicles become FORS Accredited
SBS transport becomes FORS accredited demonstrating the company’s commitment to safety and the environment. Patented WRAS approved Aquatechnik multilayer system comes exclusively to SBS giving a great alternative to traditional steel or copper. Tool hire through HireStation can now be ordered online through www.sbs.hirestation.co.uk.
2015
New I.T. system is launched
New I.T. system is launched to help with all aspects of the business from sales through to accounts. The move sets the next level of foundation and demonstrates our desire to constantly adapt for the needs of our customers.
2016
Heathrow, Cardiff and Merseyside – 10th, 11th & 12th branch
New branches at Heathrow, Cardiff & Merseyside open taking the expansion to 12 branches over two countries. SBS Leicester, Bristol and Head Office also relocate to larger more modern premises. Smith Brothers brings Isotubi, a 316L Stainless Press-Fit system to the UK up to 108mm.
2017
FORS Accreditation gets upgraded
The transport gets upgraded to silver FORS status. The Hiab crane is improved on the HGV/LGV giving greater lifting capacity.
2018
Newcastle – 13th Branch
The expansion continues with an additional branch in Gateshead, Newcastle. Smith Brothers wins the coveted award of Wholsesaler/Distributor of the Year during the HVR Awards at the Chelsea Harbour Hotel.
2019
Relocations
SBS expands its sales force into Northern Ireland and relocations take place in Birmingham, Oldham and Thurrock to satisfy increased demand. The business is included in The Sunday Times Top Track 250, the Leicester version of Monopoly and climbed to 51st place in the Top 200 Companies in Leicestershire.
2020
Glasgow – 14th branch
Smith Brothers’ first Scottish branch opens in Glasgow in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and Southampton relocates to a modern 25,000 sq. ft. premises. SBS retains the HVR Wholesaler/Distributor of the Year award for the third year running and are also featured in the London Stock Exchange’s Top 1,000 Companies to Inspire Britain 2020.
2021
Sheffield – 15th branch
SBS Sheffield open in the summer of 2021 along with the announcement two additional branches will opening soon.