Herbert Starts in Business
1919 saw Herbert Smith return from the task of helping to produce aircraft in Norwich for Mann Egerton. The job he had left as a carpenter on the Honingham Estate did not exist by this time, so with four young children and a wife to support he started work on his own account, having just £50 capital, a will to work and a shrewd mind.
Herbert Starts in Business
1919 saw Herbert Smith return from the task of helping to produce aircraft in Norwich for Mann Egerton. The job he had left as a carpenter on the Honingham Estate did not exist by this time, so with four young children and a wife to support he started work on his own account, having just £50 capital, a will to work and a shrewd mind.
Initial Growth
The 1930s saw an improvement in the volume of available work and produced substantial growth. 1939 was the beginning of the pause during the war years, although Herbert ‘senior’ carried out a large programme of bomb damage repair work in Norwich.
George & Bert Join Herbert in Business
In 1945 sons Herbert (Bert) and George returned from the armed forces, and the three formed H. Smith & Sons.
Herbert, Bert and George undertook many large housing contracts after forming the partnership. Sadly in 1958 Herbert (Senior) passed away.
George & Bert Join Herbert in Business
In 1945 sons Herbert (Bert) and George returned from the armed forces, and the three formed H. Smith & Sons.
Herbert, Bert and George undertook many large housing contracts after forming the partnership. Sadly in 1958 Herbert (Senior) passed away.
Herbert & George in Partnership
Herbert and George continued working in partnership building Local Authority housing projects, nursing homes, schools, industrial work, renovations and refurbishments and the like.
John & Alan
Work continued with similar projects. In 1970 Bert decided to retire; shortly after George was joined by two of his sons, John and Alan. During 1974 trading transferred to the limited company.
Maingay House opened by HRH Princess Anne
Maingay House in Aylsham (a sheltered housing complex providing a mixture of 40 houses and bungalows) was completed for Broadland District Council and opened by HRH Princess Anne.
George Retires
George retired as Managing Director of the Limited Company in January 1990 and carried on as a consultant for two years. The Smith family also run a Partnership enterprise, which incorporates the Quarry Works Industrial complex of six units.
New Offices
The partnership is also responsible for the new office building which is in part for the Limited Company use, and ten offices for letting, all of this in the quiet village of Honingham.
1998
In 1998 we embraced the Internet with both our website, originally at www.h-smith.quarry-works.co.uk, and head office email facilities. Since this inital launch the Limited company’s website has moved to www.smithofhoningham.co.uk and the partnership has established a website at www.smithproperties.co.uk
1998
In 1998 we embraced the Internet with both our website, originally at www.h-smith.quarry-works.co.uk, and head office email facilities. Since this inital launch the Limited company’s website has moved to www.smithofhoningham.co.uk and the partnership has established a website at www.smithproperties.co.uk
More Space
In the year 2000 due to an increasing demand for space to store stock materials and plant machinery a satellite yard was purchased on the Frans Green Industrial Estate, this allowed much of the stock that required long term storage to be removed from Quarry Works. This created two distinct sites, one solely a “builders yard” the other a base for the growing demands on administrative duties.
More Space
In the year 2000 due to an increasing demand for space to store stock materials and plant machinery a satellite yard was purchased on the Frans Green Industrial Estate, this allowed much of the stock that required long term storage to be removed from Quarry Works. This created two distinct sites, one solely a “builders yard” the other a base for the growing demands on administrative duties.
Enter the Fourth Generation
The fourth generation of Smiths’ have started to work within the Limited company. Kimberley Smith joined the accounts department in 2006 and continues to further her knowledge in this field.
Jonathan Smith joined the company in 2007 after successfully completing a Batchelor of Science Degree in Construction Management at Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford.
Enter the Fourth Generation
The fourth generation of Smiths’ have started to work within the Limited company. Kimberley Smith joined the accounts department in 2006 and continues to further her knowledge in this field.
Jonathan Smith joined the company in 2007 after successfully completing a Batchelor of Science Degree in Construction Management at Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford.
Taverham & Cawston Business Parks
During 2013 Smith of Honingham (Properties) Ltd was established with the acquisition of Beech Avenue Business Park in Taverham and The Old Winery Business Park in Cawston.
100 Years
To celebrate 100 years since Herbert started in business we exhibited at the Royal Norfolk Show. Our stand included a display showing the history of the company, together with the virtual reality tour of The Willows at Carbrooke, a development of 32 new homes for Broadland Housing Group
100 Years
To celebrate 100 years since Herbert started in business we exhibited at the Royal Norfolk Show. Our stand included a display showing the history of the company, together with the virtual reality tour of The Willows at Carbrooke, a development of 32 new homes for Broadland Housing Group