JJ Smith is incredibly proud to be recognised for its excellence in business and awarded with the prestigious King’s Award for International Trade.
A fourth-generation family business founded in 1923 by four brothers; the Knowsley-based company has been at the forefront of engineering for over 100 years. During that time, JJ Smith has continually adapted to the needs of the woodworking industry and is keen that manufacturing in the 21st century is a thriving industry.
Establishing itself as a leader in providing new and used woodworking machining solutions after building up a wealth of experience surrounding international trade, JJ Smith maintains close working relationships with suppliers from across the globe to innovate and develop cutting-edge technology to serve the woodworking industry.
The company supplies machinery to a wide variety of businesses including offsite construction, shed and garden building manufacturers, door, staircase and window specialists, prisons and colleges.
Never standing still
JJ Smith’s core values of never standing still, looking out for its people, acting with integrity and taking the long-term view are central to everything that the company does. As a small business, it is able to provide customers with a personal service from its sales team through to its highly trained engineers, offering the most technically suitable and cost-effective machining solutions to meet production requirements, as well as providing technical support, servicing and aftercare.
“JJ Smith has significantly increased the number of educational activities both in the workplace and in schools to increase opportunities available to local young people”
Looking out for its people
As a proud family business, all employees are considered part of the JJ Smith family and over a quarter of the workforce has been in employment for over two decades, with many spending their whole careers at the company. JJ Smith is also a proud Knowsley business, believing that when local businesses work together along with the community, they are stronger together. Over the past few years, JJ Smith has significantly increased the number of educational activities both in the workplace and in schools to increase opportunities available to local young people, and was awarded one of the first Investors in Apprentices Silver Award for its outstanding apprenticeship programme.
Taking the long-term view
JJ Smith has big plans for the future, including the introduction of automated machining solutions to contribute to the reduction in the accident rate within the industry. It also aims to become the leading supplier of woodworking machinery engineers for breakdown and service work in the UK and Ireland through a 10-year training plan, enabling customers to have more planned maintenance work, increase machinery’s lifespan and reduce downtime.
“What an incredible honour for JJ Smith and our community,” comments fourth-generation family member and Managing Director, Rachael Baker. “As one of only four organisations in Merseyside to receive the King’s Award for Enterprise, we believe it is a testament to the hard work and dedication of every member of our team.
“It’s a recognition of our commitment to excellence and innovation in the woodworking machinery industry, as well as the work we have done over the past few years with the local community to provide more opportunities to young people. As a proud Knowsley business, we believe passionately in the role we play within the community and are keen to help other businesses within the Liverpool City Region to engage with their communities.”
