Our Story

In 1981, a family organisation was founded to deliver unrivalled PPE and Workwear products to key industries, nationally. Since that time, SMI has evolved to become one of the UK’s leading importers and distributors of Workwear & PPE. Retaining our family values, the third generation of SMI’s founders took over the business in 2011, and we have grown rapidly ever since.

Our Vision & Mission

Our Vision

The supply lifeline to Britain's workforce

OUR MISSION

We’re making vital workplace products more accessible, more affordable and more sustainable through our everyday investment in people and innovation.

Our Values

  • We are not different people at work and at home; theres a human behind every job title and we give everyone the opportunity to bring all of themselves to work.

    Each person has their unique set of personal and professional qualities, and our culture allows everyone to thrive, to be their best, and to have fun.

  • We all belong in this organisation; we feel accepted and valued. As a result, we all understand our purpose in the business and how important it is. We are connected by a common goal, working together to achieve our core vision and mission.

    As a result, we communicate and collaborate more; we are engaged
    and we are connected to each other and our customers.

  • We count on each other to do the job on time and to the best of our ability.

    We are accountable and reliable. Our customers depend on us to deliver every single day; we don't let them down.

  • We're agile, quick and decisive. We adapt rapidly to internal changes and market dynamics.

    We measure impact and outcome, not just activity. We deliver on time in every aspect of our role.

  • We encourage and enable everyone to bring their strengths to the table, creating an energy and a passion that produces exceptional results.

    We're adaptable and creative and we are given the opportunity to find solutions, improve processes and drive innovation.

SMI in Numbers

We're Certified

We employ dedicated staff to manage these areas to ensure our “set goals” for compliance to these standards/accreditations are carried out and maintained throughout the organisation.

Our History

Started business in a shed

1981

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.
Moved to Hampton Hill

1989

Eight years on from when SMI was founded, the company acquired its first business premises in School Road, Hampton Hill, Richmond.
Moved to Chiddingfold

1994

SMI relocated its premises to Chiddingfold (Surrey).
Moved to larger premises in Haslemere

2001

Due to business growth and being awarded some large contracts, including Co-operative Food, SMI took on a new warehouse in Haslemere (Surrey).
Built Corporate House

2007

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.
Took on Formex House

2012

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.
Moved to Kites Croft

2017

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.

2019

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.

2021

SMI made a significant acquisition in Swift360, a well-established family-owned PPE/Workwear company based in Alton (Hampshire). This boosted SMI’s revenue by £12M and greatly enhanced SMI’s footprint in the PPE/Workwear sector. Swift360’s client portfolio includes Biffa, John Lewis, Serco and many other large organisations.

2022

SMI acquired a new 15,000 sq ft corporate head office (Vision House) in Petersfield (Hampshire) which is spread over two floors. The company plans to move into these new offices in summer 2022!
People love working at SMI

People love working at SMI

We prioritise values-based recruitment, welcoming applicants with a positive outlook, motivation, strong teamworking, and an organised and dedicated approach.

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