What began with a box of gloves in a garden shed has evolved into something much bigger. SMI is now the trusted supply lifeline to Britain’s workforce.
SMI WAS FOUNDED ON THESE CORE VALUES:
And four decades later, these same values are part of our DNA.
We’re proud to be the go-to partner for thousands of businesses across the UK.
We’re there for our customers when they need workwear, PPE, hygiene, tools, and workplace essentials.
SMI was founded in 1981 by Paul Prisgrove, who left school and started selling gloves from his garden shed. It wasn’t long before he started making glove deliveries in South East London in his car, which he purchased shortly after leaving school.
Eight years on from when SMI was founded, the company acquired its first business premises in School Road, Hampton Hill, Richmond.
SMI relocated its premises to Chiddingfold (Surrey).
Due to business growth and being awarded some large contracts, including Co-operative Food, SMI took on a new warehouse in Haslemere (Surrey).
Following extensive growth, SMI purchased some land in 2006 and built its first purpose-built 7,000 sq ft head office and distribution facility in Haslemere (Surrey). SMI moved into this new facility (Corporate House) in 2007.
By 2012, SMI’s revenue had doubled since 2007. Therefore, it took on an extra warehouse in the same estate as Corporate House. This provided an additional 18,000 sq ft of space.
2017 was a landmark for SMI. The company was growing at such a rate it could no longer efficiently operate from Haslemere due to space limitations. After months of talking to estate agents, they finally took on the Kites Croft National Distribution Centre in Fareham (Hampshire) which today gives us 50,000 sq ft of storage space.
SMI made its first acquisition, acquiring Nusafe Limited which was located in Newcastle. Nusafe served some large blue-chip clients in the North East which further enhanced SMI’s portfolio and increased our market share in the North.
SMI made a significant acquisition in Swift360, a well-established family-owned PPE/Workwear company based in Alton (Hampshire). Swift360’s client portfolio includes Biffa, John Lewis, Serco and many other large organisations.
SMI acquired a new 15,000 sq ft corporate head office (Vision House) in Petersfield (Hampshire) which is spread over two floors.
SMI made it's third significant acquisition in Lion, a well-established family-owned workplace supplier company based in Falkirk, Scotland.
SMI made its fourth acquisition in Contego Safety Solutions, a family-owned workwear and safety supplier based in West Sussex.
THE SUPPLY LIFELINE TO BRITAIN'S WORKFORCE
We’re making vital workplace products more accessible, more affordable and more sustainable through our everyday investment in people and innovation.
We’re more than a supplier. We're a partner built into your operations.
25,000+
Products
11
Key Account Managers
5
Own Vans For Deliveries
50+
Product Categories
£50M
Group Turnover
15
Customer Experience Specialists
170,000+
Deliveries Per Year
1,350+
Clients
70
Embroidery Heads (in-house)
330+
Suppliers
200+
Staff
2,000
Pallet space
115+
Warehouse Staff
40,000
Sq ft Warehouse space
8
Heat Seal Stations (in-house)
5,000+
Logos printed per day (in-house)
25,000+ products available
330+ partner brands
Less deliveries reduce carbon footprint
Reduce uncontrolled spending
Removing hassle for your buyers
Four decades of knowledge in your sector
Proven solutions provider for your sector
Removing common sector pain points
Dedicated sector team
Specific ESG advice for your sector
ROKWEAR® products manufactured for your sector
MY-SMI® ordering portal
Maximum 3 hour email response time
Own deliveries in certain regions
5pm order cut off for next day delivery
3 day dispatch for branded workwear
97% stock availability with minimal back orders
Dedicated customer experience and account manager
Whether you're kitting out five people or five hundred, SMI is the quiet constant in the background.
Your supply lifeline, always there when you need us.
