What Smiths Limited does

Smiths Limited (legally Smiths Gloucester Ltd) is a privately held UK construction and waste management company headquartered at Brook Farm, Moreton Valence, Gloucester, founded in 1982. It operates across the South West of England and South Wales through seven depot locations and a 120-strong HGV fleet fitted with GPS for route planning, supported by an on-site Materials Recycling Facility at Moreton Valence and mobile crushing equipment deployed at quarries and construction sites. The company runs five core service lines: waste management and skip hire (including recycled aggregates, wheelie bins, and event waste management); transport and plant hire (tippers, grab lorries, heavy haulage, road sweepers, and construction plant); construction and demolition services (groundworks, volumetric concrete, demolition, laser levelling); HSE-licensed asbestos surveys and removal; and an NPORS/CPCS-accredited Training Centre for plant operators. A consumer-facing 'How to Hub' content platform and the related Ermin Plant & Tool Hire brand extend the firm into the DIY homeowner segment.

The business model is transaction-fee based across all services, with quote-driven pricing and no publicly disclosed rates. Go-to-market combines enterprise field sales targeting major contractors and event organisers (Willmott Dixon, Morgan Sindall, Kier, EDF, Renishaw, Bristol Port, Cotswold BMW) with direct-to-consumer channels: regional phone offices in Gloucestershire, Bristol, and South Wales, an online Weighsoft skip-ordering portal, and an active LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram presence. Distribution advantage comes from the regional depot and fleet network, while the accreditation stack (CHAS, Constructionline Gold, SSIP, Safe Contractor, CIWM, ESA, CPA, ISO 9001/14001) pre-qualifies the firm for public-sector and Tier-1 contractor tenders. Vertical integration across fleet, recycling, and training creates cost capture and scheduling control, evidenced by 143,000 tonnes of waste diverted from landfill in 2024.

Name

Smiths Limited

Legal name

Smiths Gloucester Ltd

Website

https://smiths-gloucester.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Smiths Limited is a UK construction and waste management company operating across the South West and South Wales, offering skip hire, plant hire, demolition, asbestos services, training, and recycled aggregates through 7 depots and a 120-HGV fleet.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Construction and Waste Management Services

NAICS

Other Waste Collection (562119), Materials Recovery Facilities (56292)

SIC

Refuse Systems (4953), Sanitary Services (4950)

akta.pro primary industry

Roll-off Dumpster Rental & On-site Container Services (BPALAJAJ)

Keywords

• Waste management services
• Skip hire
• Construction and demolition
• Plant and transport hire
• Asbestos removal services

Headquarters

HQ city

Stonehouse

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Waste Management Services: Revenue from skip hire, commercial waste collection, wheelie bins, event waste management, and waste transport services. Services are provided to both domestic and commercial customers across the South West and Wales.
2. Construction and Demolition Services: Groundworks, volumetric concrete, demolition, asbestos surveys and removal, laser levelling services provided to construction companies and developers.
3. Transport and Plant Hire: Tipper transport hire, grab lorry hire, heavy haulage, road sweeper hire, and plant hire equipment rental including excavators, loading shovels, and telescopic handlers.
4. Training Services: CPCS and NPORS certified training courses for construction plant operations, agricultural equipment, health and safety, and working at height. Courses available at their training centre or on client sites.
5. Recycled Aggregates and Materials: Production and sale of recycled aggregates and top soil from their recycling facilities

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Smiths Limited is a privately held construction and waste management company delivering integrated services across five core divisions: (1) Waste Management and Skip Hire (skips, wheelie bins, event waste, recycled aggregates, waste transport), (2) Transport and Plant Hire (tipper, grab lorry, heavy haulage, road sweeper, plant machinery), (3) Construction and Demolition Services (volumetric concrete, construction, demolition, laser levelling), (4) licensed Asbestos Surveys and Removal, and (5) a CPCS/NPORS-accredited Training Centre for plant operators. Operations are supported by a GPS-fitted 120-HGV fleet, an on-site Materials Recycling Facility, and mobile crushing and vacuum excavation equipment serving the South West of England and South Wales.

Product overview

Smiths Limited is a construction and waste management company operating primarily in the South West and Wales. The company offers an integrated service portfolio centered on five core divisions: (1) Waste Management and Skip Hire, including skip hire, wheelie bins, event waste management, recycled aggregates, and waste transport; (2) Transport and Plant Hire covering tipper trucks, grab lorries, heavy haulage, road sweepers, and construction plant machinery; (3) Construction and Demolition Services including volumetric concrete, general construction, demolition, and laser levelling; (4) Asbestos Services providing surveys and licensed removal; and (5) a Training Centre offering NPORS/CPCS certified operator courses. Support services include drain services, groundwork, vehicle recycling, and HGV MOT testing. The company also operates a consumer-facing 'How to Hub' content platform (with associated Ermin Plant tool hire brand) providing DIY renovation guides.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Waste Management and Skip Hire Comprehensive waste management and skip hire service covering the South West and Wales with skips from 2 to 40 yards, wheelie bins, commercial waste collection, event waste management, recycled aggregates and waste transport, supported by an on-site Materials Recycling Facility and GPS-fitted 120-HGV fleet. Designed for both domestic customers ordering via the online Weighsoft portal and commercial trade customers requiring recurring collection.
• Skip Hire Skip hire service in sizes from 2 to 40 yards, ordered online via the Weighsoft cash sales portal or by phone, with materials sent to the company's on-site recycling facility. Available to both domestic households and commercial trade customers across the South West and Wales.
• Wheelie Bins and Waste Collection
• Event Waste Management End-to-end waste management, recycling stations and post-event site clearance for music festivals, agricultural shows, sports events and community festivals. Demonstrated to achieve a 74% recycling rate at the BASC Gamekeepers' Fair.
• Recycled Aggregates and Top Soil Production and supply of recycled aggregates and top soil produced at the company's Moreton Valence Materials Recycling Facility, sold to construction companies, developers and quarries (including 50,000 tonnes of 6F5 delivered to Daglingworth Quarry).
• Waste Transport Bulk waste transport service using Smiths' 120-HGV GPS-fitted fleet to move construction, demolition and commercial waste between sites and the Materials Recycling Facility.
• Tipper Transport Hire Hire of tipper transport vehicles from Smiths' 120-strong HGV fleet for moving aggregates, muck away and construction materials across the South West and Wales.
• Grab Lorry Hire Hire of grab lorries for muck away, aggregate delivery and site clearance where mechanical loading is required, operated from the Smiths in-house fleet.
• Heavy Haulage and Abnormal Loads Heavy haulage transport for abnormal loads using Smiths' low loaders and Hiab equipment, supporting construction and industrial customers across the region.
• Road Sweeper Hire Hire of road sweepers for construction site, highway and event site cleaning, supporting both construction projects and event organisers.
• Plant Hire Hire of construction plant including excavators, loading shovels, telescopic handlers, low loaders and Hiab equipment, with short-term hire insurance available, plus sale of used plant, trucks and machinery. Targeted at construction companies, contractors and self-builders.
• Volumetric Concrete Supply On-site mixed volumetric concrete supply for construction projects, allowing exact mix volumes to be produced at the point of use, primarily for construction firms and developers.
• Construction Services General construction works including groundworks, drainage, and external works, delivered as a sub-contractor on principal contractor schemes such as Cannington Court EDF training centre, Castle School, Queens Drive and Cheltenham Racecourse.
• Demolition Professional demolition services for residential, commercial and industrial structures, including 12-storey buildings and complex projects, with the resulting materials processed at the Materials Recycling Facility.
• Laser Levelling Laser levelling service for ground preparation on construction, agricultural and industrial sites, used to achieve accurate, level surfaces prior to concrete pours or floor installations.
• Asbestos Services HSE-licensed asbestos surveys, asbestos removal, air monitoring and certified waste disposal, supporting construction, demolition and refurbishment projects for principal contractors, local authorities and property owners.
• Training Centre (CPCS and NPORS Accredited Courses) Accredited training courses for construction plant operators, agricultural workers, and site staff covering excavators, forklifts, telescopic handlers, health and safety and working at height, delivered at the Smiths training centre or on client sites under CPCS and NPORS certification.
• Drain Services Drain services for construction, commercial and domestic customers, including drainage installation, repair and clearance as a support service to Smiths' wider groundworks and construction offering.
• Small Groundwork Services Smaller-scale groundwork services for domestic and commercial customers, supporting extensions, driveways, landscaping preparation and other minor construction projects.
• Vehicle Recycling Vehicle recycling service for end-of-life commercial vehicles, supporting fleet operators and the company's own HGV fleet lifecycle.
• HGV MOT Service HGV MOT testing service for commercial vehicles, supporting the company's own fleet and external fleet operators.

Quantifiable outcome

• 143,000 tonnes of waste diverted from landfill in 2024
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• AccXel Training SchoolsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining partnership for apprenticeship delivery. AccXel provides classroom-based training while Smiths provides on-site practical work experience for apprentice groundworkers.
• Blue Water RecruitmentsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecruitment partnership for targeted employment programmes. Blue Water Recruitment introduced and led a targeted recruitment and training initiative that helped connect local job seekers with employment opportunities at Smiths.
• Morgan Sindall ConstructioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMain contractor for multiple projects including Castle School groundworks. Smiths works as sub-contractor for construction and groundworks on Morgan Sindall projects.
• Willmott DixoncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPrincipal contractor for Queens Drive social housing scheme. Smiths provides construction division services on Willmott Dixon-led projects.
• Kier ConstructioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPrincipal contractor for Cannington Court EDF training centre project. Smiths completed groundworks, drainage and external works as sub-contractor.
• Ermin Plant & Tool HiresupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRelated family brand offering professional-grade tool hire throughout Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire and Herefordshire. Six strategically located depots providing equipment referenced in Smiths How-to Hub content.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Veolia UK: Global environmental services incumbent with major UK waste collection, recycling and remediation operations. Comparable on C&D waste handling, MRF operations and recycling economics.
• Biffa: UK-listed national waste management incumbent providing skip hire, commercial waste collection and recycling. Overlaps directly with Smiths' skip hire and commercial waste collection lines at scale.
• FCC Environment (UK): UK arm of FCC Environment, providing waste collection, treatment and disposal including C&D waste streams. Comparable on integrated waste services and materials recovery.
• Grundon: Large UK waste management and aggregates group operating skip hire, commercial waste collection and recycling facilities. Comparable on integrated skip-to-aggregate model.
• CEMEX UK (Aggregates & Readymix): Major UK supplier of aggregates, readymix and concrete with recycling operations. Comparable on aggregates production and volumetric concrete supply lines.

Regional players

• Day Group: UK volumetric concrete and aggregate supplier with own fleet. Directly comparable in the volumetric concrete and aggregate delivery services that Smiths also offers.
• Hills Quarry Products: South West aggregates and quarry products supplier, already a commercial partner of Smiths. Comparable in aggregate supply and crushing operations but narrower than Smiths in waste and construction services.
• Powerday: London-focused C&D waste, aggregates and haulage provider. Directly comparable service mix (skips, aggregates, haulage) though operating in a different geography from Smiths.

Direct peers

• Mick George Group: East Midlands-based integrated construction, demolition, waste management, aggregate supply and plant hire group. Closest analogue to Smiths in service mix, vertical integration and regional density.
• ERmIN Plant & Tool Hire: Related family brand of Smiths offering professional tool and plant hire across Gloucestershire and surrounding counties. Comparable plant hire offering with shared operational DNA.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SmithsGloucesterLtd
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smithsgloucesterltd
• Instagraminstagram.com/smithsglosltd

Compliance13 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Smiths Limited