Tell us about your business. What do you do, who do you work with, and what makes your company unique?
William Smith Group 1832 was founded, as the name suggests, in 1832, making us the UK’s oldest signmaking business. Although, interestingly, we didn’t actually start out as signmakers. Back in the early days, we invented the world’s first mechanical street sweeper before eventually moving into the sign industry.
Today, we’re best known as one of the UK’s leading distributors of specialist vinyl materials, but we’re also a sign manufacturer, which is really where our roots in the industry began.
We work with some of the biggest names in the industry, including 3M, Avery Dennison, Arlon and Cover Styl’, as well as many other leading brands across our distribution business. Our relationship with 3M goes back to the 1960s, when we first started using their reflective sheeting in our manufacturing business. Today, we continue to manufacture UKCA traffic signs using the latest generations of 3M reflective products, while those same materials are also used to produce our Chapter 8 Chevron Kits – a part of the business that has seen significant growth over recent years.
What makes us different is that we don’t just supply materials; we use them ourselves. While more companies have moved towards this model in recent years, it’s something we’ve been doing for decades. That gives us a real understanding of the products we sell because we’re using many of them every day in our own manufacturing operation.
I also think one of our biggest strengths is our people. William Smith has built a reputation for looking after its staff, which has helped us retain a huge amount of experience and knowledge within the business. As products and technology have evolved over the years, our people have evolved with them, building expertise that simply can’t be learnt overnight.
That knowledge is then passed on to our customers. We don’t just sell products – we help customers choose the right solution, solve problems and get the most from what they buy. I think that’s one of the reasons so many customers continue to see us as a trusted partner rather than just another supplier.
Why did you become a BSGA member, and what has membership meant to your business?
Being a member of the BSGA is important because it gives us the opportunity to have a voice and play a part in shaping the future of the industry. It’s a great way to work alongside other businesses, share ideas and help drive positive change for the benefit of everyone.
For us, membership is about much more than displaying a logo. It represents trust, professionalism and a commitment to doing things the right way.
William Smith has been a member of the BSGA for far longer than I’ve been with the business, which says a lot about how much we value being part of it. It’s something we’re proud of, and I can’t see a time when we wouldn’t want to be involved.
Which project, achievement or milestone are you most proud of, and why does it stand out?
In recent years, the business has placed a dedicated focus on culture and customer experience. We’ve always been recognised for both within the industry, but historically that recognition has come naturally rather than through a structured strategy. It has always been a reflection of the people who make up William Smith and the way they go about their work.
Today, we have a dedicated team responsible for building on that foundation, making sure the way we operate continues to have a positive impact on our culture and the experience our customers receive.
We’re also really proud of the recognition we’ve received as a business. Over the past 18 months we’ve won several awards relating to both customer experience and workplace culture, including being named one of the Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026. For us, these awards reinforce the belief that by investing in our people and creating a positive culture, we’re also creating a better experience for our customers.