Part of William Smith Group 1832, William Smith is the leading trade supplier to the sign and graphics industry, offering one of the largest material supply services in the UK, meaning you have access to thousands of full, part or custom slit roll.

We stock a wide range of films and accessories from leading brands including 3M, Avery Dennison, Arlon, VION, Contra Vision, Cover Styl’ and R Tape; all of which are available with next day delivery on orders made before 6pm.

Did you know?… in 2016 we opened a brand new state-of-the-art distribution warehouse which houses over 16,000 boxes of material, not to mention the hundreds of tools and accessories we have available. The warehouse is an impressive 14,316 sq ft in area and has two purpose built loading bays for more efficient material handling. 

 

 

Part of William Smith Group 1832, William Smith is the leading trade supplier to the sign and graphics industry, offering one of the largest material supply services in the UK, meaning you have access to thousands of full, part or custom slit roll.

We stock a wide range of films and accessories from leading brands including 3M, Avery Dennison, Arlon, VION, Contra Vision, Cover Styl’ and R Tape; all of which are available with next day delivery on orders made before 6pm.

Did you know?… in 2016 we opened a brand new state-of-the-art distribution warehouse which houses over 16,000 boxes of material, not to mention the hundreds of tools and accessories we have available. The warehouse is an impressive 14,316 sq ft in area and has two purpose built loading bays for more efficient material handling. 

 

 

Our History

William Smith Group 1832 has a history which dates back over 185 years. A family run business, we have diversified in many different and unexpected ways.

Life did exist before we became one of the UK’s largest distributors of self-adhesive vinyl. Our very first invention, a horse-drawn mechanical street sweeper, paved the way for us to adapt and grow, evolving as a manufacturer of snow ploughs, tar sprayers, mobile cabins to a modern and innovative business which services the sign and graphics industry in the current day.

William Smith Timeline

1960s

  • Became a limited company
  • Partnership with 3M began

1980s

  • Became the first company to invest in plotters
  • Offered pre-spaced letters and logos for the first time

1990s

  • Scotchprint graphic sales peaked 1998
  • Media and other consumable sales began to see a significant rise in 1999
  • Material distribution became the core of our business

2000s

  • In 2005 we became the sole UK distributor of the ROLLSROLLER applicator
  • HP Latex print technology launched in 2009
  • Increased hardware range with more printers, cutters and laminators

2010s

  • Company introduces late evening ordering up until 6pm
  • In 2015 we launched an ecommerce website, providing customers with access to products at the click of a button
  • Our partnership with Arlon began 2011
  • We started distributing VION in 2015

2016

  • Global manufacturer Avery Dennison become a partner of William Smith
  • A new warehouse with treble capacity is built on the outskirts of Barnard Castle
  • The company launches the Smith brand to sit alongside the already existing William Smith distribution arm

2017

  • The company diversifies into architectural markets and launches the Architextural brand as a result
  • Because of growth and the various markets the company operates in it launches William Smith Group 1832
  • William Smith Group 1832 renovates the old factory and turns it into a dedicated training facility.