From 1780 to today

J. Smith & Sons eventually evolved into Smiths Metal Centres Ltd. Established in 1780 at a site in Clerkenwell, London, the original business became a well-renowned name in clockmaking, from large turret clocks for buildings such as churches to small decorative clocks for mantelpieces.

We were initially an internationally renowned clockmaker, starting life in 1780.

Leading in Raw Materials

As a result of mass clock manufacture, Smiths became adept at purchasing raw materials on a global basis. We successfully transformed the business into a supplier of these raw materials to other manufacturing companies. Over time, the clock making side of the business declined, ceasing production in 1938. Smiths was still a sizeable business but instead of clock making it now focused all of its efforts on material stockholding and distribution.

Over the next few decades, the business expanded rapidly, and a network of service centres was opened starting with premises at Biggleswade and Horsham.

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Other Businesses

Our motorsport division who supply high-technology engineering materials to motorsport customers including Formula 1.

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A division specialising in the manufacture and supply of partitioning systems, doors and tiling trim products.

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A division which primarily services the aerospace sector including MRO.

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