Napthens supports Smiths expansion

Smiths Hire, a family business which has grown to become the largest independent plant and tool hire company in the region is expanding with the opening of its first Hire It Centre in Liverpool.

Based in The North West, Smiths Hire was established more than 40 years ago and operates ten Hire It Centres in locations including Preston, Blackburn, Bolton, Warrington, St Annes and Manchester.

The business, which employs more than 100 staff, specialises in the supply of equipment including plant, tools and machinery to the construction and industrial sectors. Alongside this they also sell and service products and offer industry relevant training courses.

Now Smiths has agreed to take a lease at Derby Road in Bootle. The site will act as a ‘satellite’ for a larger operation in Warrington, and will offer the company’s range of tools and smaller access equipment.

The business, managed by brothers David and Thomas Smith, was advised on the expansion by Martin Long, partner in the Commercial Property team at Napthens solicitors.

Martin said: “I have advised Smiths Equipment Hire for more than 30 years and it’s great to see a family business like this doing so well.

“The company has grown steadily and organically over a number of years to become a leading player in the equipment hire sector, and I know the team has plans for further growth too.”

Smiths has recently undergone a major rebranding exercise, and invested more than £2million in the business including the acquisition of a third outlet in Blackpool which now acts as the head office and training base, this is in addition to huge investment in new fleet and equipment.

Thomas Smith, joint managing director of Smiths Equipment Hire, said: “Our Warrington site has serviced Liverpool and Merseyside effectively for some time, but as the business grows and our customer base expands, it has become necessary to provide a service closer to the city.

“The Liverpool location will provide our range of smaller tools and access equipment, and be able to quickly arrange hire of larger requirements through the Warrington site.” The Liverpool site is due to open in January 2016.