Smiths Metal Centres

J. Smith & Sons eventually evolved into Smiths Metal Centers 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. 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.