Staff from SM UK's current HQ and the Gildersome Workshop will move into their new Leeds headquarters on 27th February 2023, which combines a 40,000 sq. ft. workshop with office space. The UK's No1 auto electrical company, will see around 45 employees settle into their new home on Gelderd Road, located just four miles from the centre of Leeds. The new headquarters will be at Unit 6 Gelderd Park, which has recently undergone a dramatic refurbishment.
SM UK now have three main sites, including the new Leeds workshop, Tamworth, and the recently opened Dartford workshop, with a combined total floor space of 60,000 sq. ft. and employing 70 engineers across the country. They provide a UK-wide service to fleet operators and global vehicle manufacturers such as, Mercedes, Scania, Renault, and Volvo Trucks, as well as a full turn-key van conversion division at Tamworth and Leeds.
The company specialises in fitting AI cameras, sensors, and recording systems, along with the trademarked low-level lighting ‘HALO' system and truck door windows, all fully Type Approved… and with the new move it will initially create 25 new engineering job across the three sites.
MD of SM UK Ltd Steve MacDonald said, "We have made a serious investment of over £4 million into the new site, reflecting the growth it has experienced, including a 22% increase in revenue in the 2021-22 financial year, with an expected further growth of 40% this year".
SM UK's turnover rose to £9.5 million in the 12 months to June 2021, compared to a £7.5 million in the previous year. In the same year they created a further 25 new jobs and improved the safety of over 4,000 commercial trucks. Furthermore, on the van conversion side of the business they secured contracts worth £2.7 million with a leading Welfare Van hire company and a further contract estimated to be worth £1.6 million, supplying 50 work-ready engineering vans to ASSA ABLOY as part of their van conversion and turn-key solution.
In addition, January 2023 started strong with a contract to fit DVS compliance safety kits to 100 new Renault T Range Tractor units with Hexagon Leasing and a £6.5 million pound contract with a utilities company to supply 100 vans.
Steve MacDonald, SM UK's MD, said, "We have built a staggering reputation for quality, reliability, and safety,"
He added; "Which is probably why our superior van conversion division has also seen significant growth".
SM UK is a prominent advocate of FORS, CLOCS, and DVS and has designed and fitted vehicle safety and awareness systems fully type approved to large fleets, such as Tuffnells and Wincanton.