Construction & Civil Engineering Magazine CCE Issue 211 | Page 162

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Strategic expansion
She goes on to talk us through the company ’ s inception and evolution . “ In 1982 , Alan Smith established Smiths Plant Hire Ltd with a determined vision to make his living using an aging JCB machine . A year after securing his very first contract with Gloucestershire County Council , where he worked on county roads projects , Alan could afford to purchase a second JCB . Over the next few years , Alan saw the growth of his company as numerous people joined him and became integral contributors to its development . These individuals remained dedicated members of the company , playing significant roles in shaping its progress and success . In 1984 , his wife , Anne , became a full-time member of the business . As Alan was keen to take any work he could get and would be frequently out on-site , Anne ended up managing incoming calls from their home office . Her support ensured that no opportunities were missed .
“ The business experienced steady growth throughout the 1980s , leading to a pivotal moment in 1990 when it underwent a division into three distinct components . These divisions include Smiths Construction , Smiths Transport , and Smiths Plant Hire , each specialising in their respective areas of expertise . In 1992 , the Smiths Demolition division was established , marking a new expansion within the company . Two years later , the headquarters were established in a village named Eastington . The year 2000 marked the successful incorporation of all divisions under the Smiths umbrella . This significant step led to the establishment of a new business structure , which included the formation of a dedicated waste management division . The first waste facility at Moreton Valence , Gloucester , was opened in 2002 . Since then , Smiths has expanded its waste operations , establishing additional waste depots in Bristol , Cardiff , and Tewkesbury .”
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