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A solid foundation underpins SBS success
Smith Brothers Stores is one of the largest and oldest independent merchants operating from the UK with 14 branches across England, Scotland and Wales. Head of marketing, Adrian Smith talks about the industry challenges faced this year and the bright future ahead.
W
ith history dating back to 1897, Smith Brothers Stores (SBS) has achieved 120 years of successful trading and
is still family owned with the fifth generation present within the 350+ strong workforce. The business is a key wholesaler for Daikin
air conditioning units and has teamed up with leading brands to support its ancillary range such as Aspen, Armacell, Advance Engineering, Lawton, Javac, Pump House and Rothenberger to name just a few.
Smith Brothers Stores looks to build value
into every transaction for customers through three important areas – staff, stock and service. Throughout 2019 and especially towards the back end of the year, the main issue on everyone’s mind was the breakaway from the European Union – which went on to play an important role in the December general election
14 June 2020
debates. The industry was no different – customers and contractors wanted reassurance that their wholesale partner had the stock depth to see them through any potential scenario, including a hard Brexit. The importance SBS places on both stock depth and range offset this risk factor, which will still be important later in 2020 once discussions recommence and the topic is back in the spotlight.
Stock availability is widely seen through the various media channels Smith Brothers operates in, such as website and LinkedIn account where imagery inside the business helps justify its ability to support even the largest projects from stock.
Covid-19 At the beginning of 2020, while the industry
was focusing on areas such as the impact of the R404A service ban, a pandemic was developing in China which quickly spread worldwide and continues to affect the industry significantly today.
Since mid-March the situation has been
changing daily and our top priority was, and remains, acting responsibly in accordance with Government and Public Health England guidelines. It was confirmed fairly early on that
construction was to continue for essential works, which meant that we put procedures in place to actively promote safe working for colleagues, customers and suppliers. While the situation has obviously impacted Smith Brothers as it has many other businesses, the company remains resilient, drawing on positives from the situation.
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