The business has transitioned significantly from manufacturing boilers for the shipping industry to furnishing hundreds of mills built within Leicester and assisting with the war efforts before focussing predominantly on piping and HVAC supplies as the market grew in the 1960s.
Today, SBS remains family-owned, with 5th generation family members working within the business, which now consists of multiple branches in England, Scotland and Wales with 500+ members of staff. They have remained focused on our brand promise of staff, stock and service, ensuring the customers are at the forefront of every decision whilst investing in quality.
1st Generation
Walter Smith
2nd Generation
Sydney Smith
3rd Generation
John Smith
Smith Brothers Stores has a long and cherished history dating back to the 19th Century. Below is only a brief insight into the key developments that helped form the business it is today.
“The story starts back in 1897 with a certain Walter Smith…”
SBS History
1897
1897
The Story Begins
Smith Brothers is established by founder Walter Smith.
1902
1902
The First Move
Smith Brothers move from Saffron Lane to Aylestone Road which was occupied up until 2016.
1907
1907
Limited Company
Smith Brothers becomes a limited company.
1908
1908
Expanding product portfolio
From this date, Walter Smith would use his entrepreneurial prowess to invest in, and expand Smith Brothers product portfolio, including dust extraction, fans and tooling.
1913
1913
First Testimonial
Our first ever recorded customer testimonial was in 1913 from a satisfied customer.
1918
1918
Becoming a family business
Sydney Smith, son of founder Walter, joins the business. The first steps of the company becoming a ‘family’ business.
1937
1937
Assisting with the war efforts
Smith Brothers assisted with the war efforts. The railings outside the Batten Street premises were scrapped to increase military steel supplies. The business also supplied air raid shelters for domestic and industrial use.
1959
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 up until 2019 when it changed to LE2 7QJ.
1978
1978
Expansion of Leicester
Smith Brothers expand Leicester by purchasing units on adjacent road, Batten Street.
1980
1980
Northampton – 2nd Branch
SBS 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
1989
Computers
The company begin recording details on a computer system starting the move away from the paper-based routine.
1998
1998
Rebrand
Logo is redesigned to incorporate our yellow diamond which is still present today.
2004
2004
Acquisition of Peterborough – 3rd Branch
SBS completes the purchase of Apex Ltd in Peterborough giving better coverage with distribution available across the East of England.
2006
2006
Rebrand of Peterborough and opening of Oldham – 4th Branch
The previously acquired company Apex changes its name to SBS and joins the expanding branch network. SBS opens at Oldham servicing the Lancashire & North West area.
2007
2007
Leeds – 5th Branch
Shortly after the Oldham branch, SBS Leeds followed in 2007 taking the network of branches up to five.
2008
2008
Birmingham – 6th Branch and SBS now online
SBS opens its 6th Branch based in Smethwick which is well placed to service the Birmingham & West Midlands region. 2008 also sees the launch of SBS on the web.
2009
2009
Rainham – 7th Branch and Leeds relocates
SBS open its 7th Branch, which is based in Thurrock and the Leeds branch relocates, moving to a brand new purpose built 22,000 sq ft unit.
2011
2012
2012
Southampton – 9th branch
Southampton becomes the most southern branch situated in Eastleigh. The new redesigned website is launched along with a new circular logo. Partnership with MEP (HireStation) is announced to assist customers with tool
hire.
2013
2013
Vehicles become FORS Accredited
SBS transport becomes FORS accredited across the national network demonstrating the 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: www.sbs.hirestation.co.uk.
2015
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 shows our desire to constantly adapt for the needs of our customers.
2016
2016
Heathrow, Cardiff and Merseyside – 10th, 11th and 12th branch
New branches Heathrow, Cardiff & Merseyside open taking the expansion to 12 branches over two countries. SBS Leicester, Bristol and Head Office also relocate to larger and more modern premises. Smith Brothers brings Isotubi, 316L Stainless Press-Fit system to the UK up to 108mm.
2017
2017
FORS Accreditation gets upgraded
SBS transport gets upgraded to the silver standard FORS accreditation. The hiab crane is improved on the HGV/LGV giving greater lifting capacity.
2018
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
2019
Relocations
SBS expands its sales force into Northern Ireland and relocations take place in Birmingham, Oldham and Thurrock to satisfy increased demand. SBS are 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
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
2021
Sheffield and High Wycombe – 15th and 16th Branch
New trading locations open in Sheffield and High Wycombe. Smith Brothers was named in the East Midlands Top 500 companies and the Leading Lights 2021. The business also began its transition from disel cars to electric and hybrid.
2022
2022
125th Anniversary
Smith Brothers celebrated 125 years anniversary with origins dating back to 1897, when founder Walter Smith began to lay the foundations of what has become one of the largest independent merchants operating in the UK.
2022
Cambridge – 17th Branch and online customer portal
SBS Cambridge opens in January taking the total number of trading locations to 17. A newly developed online portal would allow existing customers to place orders 24/7, taking the SBS service to the next level.
2023
2023
Dundee, Exeter and Hull – 18th, 19th and 20th Branches
We expanded our branch network further with Dundee, Exeter, and Hull, bringing our total to 20. We launched our brand of products called ‘CORE’. We gained ISO 9001 accreditation in quality management systems and upgraded to the gold standard for FORS accreditation. The SBS Online Portal was awarded the Innovation Award at the Constructing Excellence Midlands ceremony.
2024
2024
Nottingham – 21st Branch and an additional distribution centre
SBS Nottingham opens before the summer, along with an additional distribution centre in Leicester, enabling the business to increase our stock holding further. The business also achieves ISO 14001 – Environmental Management Systems accreditation.