Hill & Smith Holdings PLC - Experts & Thought Leaders

Generations of employees from a historic West Midlands iron manufacturer, which once supplied fencing to Queen Victoria, have shared their fondest memories of the business to mark 100 years since it began creating public safety products. When Hill and Smith first opened its doors in Brierley Hill, nearly 200 years ago, it specialised in the manufacture of puddling machines, ornamental gates, fences, and structural steelwork. Creating steel railings As trusted experts in the industry, Hill, and Smith were tasked with creating fencing for Queen Victoria in 1860, ornamental gates for King Chulalongkorn of Siam in around 1900, and materials for the Naval Base at Simonstown, South Africa in 1910. The company also provided components for the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1932, and, closer to home, created the dome steelwork at Birmingham University. In 1922, the direction of the company’s manufacturing changed, focusing on steel railings and bridges, with public safety at the forefront of its work. Manufacturing crash barriers  Hill and Smith have become one of the UK’s best-known road safety and vehicle restraint system (VRS) manufacturers In 1970s, Hill and Smith began manufacturing crash barriers for the Department for Transport. These were the very first UK-tested restraint systems on the market. Seventy years on, Hill and Smith are one of few manufacturers that still supply this legacy system to National Highways, helping to keep users of the Strategic Road Network safe. Now based in Bilston, Wolverhampton, Hill, and Smith have become one of the UK’s best-known road safety and vehicle restraint system (VRS) manufacturers.  Celebrating 100 years of safety To mark its centenary of safety and as the company unveils its new branding, its longest-serving employees have spoken out about their time at Hill and Smith and what the company’s heritage means to them. The company’s longest-serving current employee is Alan Bill, 60, who joined the firm as a welder, in 1979. Alan was keen to follow in the footsteps of his mother, who herself worked for Hill and Smith for more than 30 years, having joined the company in 1965.  “My mother always enjoyed her time with the company. One day she told me that a job had become available. I applied and got the job, aged 19, “ said Alan. “I’m proud to have worked for the same company for so many years. I’ve always been happy and always felt like an important part of the team.” Soot, ash, and snow  Simon Bevan began making security fences at the company in 1980 after leaving school and has stayed ever since His mother Barbara May remembers harsh factory working conditions in the 1960s, but she and her colleagues, who were responsible for riveting and assembling security fences, always felt well looked after. Barbara said, “The working conditions were tough in the early years with floors of soot and ash, and when it snowed it came through the roof into the factory. But we just wiped it off and carried on working.” Another long-standing Hill and Smith employee, Simon Bevan, began making security fences at the company in 1980 after leaving school and has stayed with the company ever since. This time it was Simon’s mother, Peggy Cole, who followed in his footsteps, becoming the factory’s cook in 1981 until 1996. Stable employment But the word of their enjoyable and stable employment at Hill and Smith spread quickly among Simon’s family, with his Aunt and Uncle, Anne and Peter Thursfield, both taking on long-term roles within the company. Simon, now 57, said; “I didn't intend to spend long with the company. I took the job while waiting to go into the armed forces, but in the end, I decided to stay. I remember my first wage was £27.50 for 40 hours’ work.” He added, “My family and I have always been happy to work for Hill and Smith, and have made some real friends during our time with the company.” Hill and Smith… and Jones? But it was the Jones family that made the biggest mark on the firm, with five family members working at the company since the 1970s. Brothers Ronald and David Jones began working at the company in 1971, followed by Ronald’s son, Darren Jones, who joined in 1990, and Darren’s cousins, Lee and Shaun Jones, also taking on positions. “At one point there were so many family members employed at the company, it became a standing joke that the company was Hill and Smith and Jones Ltd!,” said Darren. Coil sitting line Ronald and David worked on a large coil slitting line that supplied material for all of the factory departments Ronald and David, who have both since retired following more than 30 years’ service each, worked on a large coil slitting line that supplied material for all of the factory departments. Darren added, “My Dad and Uncle both worked very hard, but they loved their time at Hill and Smith, and always mentioned with fondness the continual jokes and special comradery that they had with their friends and colleagues.” For Darren, now 53, the most memorable moments of his career were receiving his 25 years’ service award, moving from the Brierley Hill site to Bilston in 1998, and seeing my father and uncle retired. A real Black Country business Operations Manager, Alan Millard, 52,  joined the company 36 years ago as a picker and packer in the dispatch department and worked his way up to where he is today. Also following in the footsteps of his family members, Alan’s two cousins already worked at the company and told him that a job had become available. He was interviewed and started that very day. He said, “Hill and Smith have always been a real Black Country business and a fantastic company to work for, going over and above to look after its employees. “There have been many changes during my employment, but these sentiments have always seemed to remain a constant from the company and continue to be so today. I have never wanted to work anywhere else.” Positive safety culture He added, “Our teams have a close bond which has created a ‘can do’ environment where anything can be achieved. Colleagues, both past and present, have all contributed to shaping and making the business what it is today.”  Peter Wilkinson, Managing Director of Hill and Smith, said, "I'm very proud of Hill and Smith's heritage and longevity. Our generations of long-serving, loyal team members are testament to our caring environment and positive safety culture, which is now stronger than ever before."

A new business group has been formed combining the strength and expertise of four leading UK road safety barrier firms. The new group brings together Asset VRS, Varley & Gulliver, Hardstaff Barriers, and Hill & Smith Barrier, which are all part of Hill & Smith Ltd. The move consolidates all existing UK Hill and Smith Ltd Vehicle Restraint System (VRS) subsidiaries, connecting all temporary and permanent products and services. As a result, the level of service provided to customers will be strengthened and the supply of high-quality barrier systems to the road network and security industry will be enhanced. Safety is a priority Safety is a high priority for all of the companies involved, with every product manufactured and supplied designed to keep people and property safe. The companies’ strong individual divisional brands and faces to market will be maintained within the new business group. Team members The group will be led by a newly-formed Executive Leadership Team, consisting of: Peter Wilkinson, who will lead the new business group as Managing Director. Peter has worked within Hill and Smith Ltd for 21 years, leading very successful businesses across the business portfolio, both internationally and in the UK. Tony Everitt, who becomes Export Sales Director. Tony has been with Hill and Smith Ltd for 30 years and was Managing Director of Varley & Gulliver, where he gained extensive knowledge of the international roads market and made a significant contribution. Dave Todd, who becomes Managing Director of Services, overseeing all aspects of service-related functions within the new group. He previously worked in various senior roles for Tier 1 major project contractors, before becoming Executive Director of Hardstaff Barriers upon its acquisition by Hill and Smith Ltd in 2016. He has transformed Hardstaff from a family-owned company into a very successful and profitable business. James Thomas, currently Financial Director of Hill & Smith Ltd (including Berry and Asset International), will also take on responsibility as FD for the new group. James has spent seven years with Hill & Smith Ltd and brings vast experience and extensive knowledge across the individual businesses. Matt Harriman, who becomes Managing Director of Products overseeing sales, development, innovation, and production at the Bilston and West Bromwich facilities. Matt became MD of Hill & Smith Barrier in 2017 after 14 years in product and technical roles. Ian Robinson, former Managing Director of Lionweld Kennedy Ltd, has come out of retirement to become Transformation Consultant during the integration period giving regular updates on the development of the new group. Developing enhanced solutions Peter Wilkinson said, “Our new leadership team is excited by the opportunity to transform and grow this newly-formed group. The bringing together of our VRS businesses will give greater opportunities to all employees, creating career opportunities and new leadership roles.” “This new group also strengthens the range of our products, enabling enhanced service, solutions, choice, and support for all of our customers.”

As International Security Week (ISWeek), 30 November – 3 December 2020, draws closer, experienced names in the industry are preparing to join together to dissect recent incidents of terrorism and how to combat extremism while protecting national assets. International Security Week The International Security Week marks five years since the shocking series of coordinated terrorist attacks across Paris, France which tragically killed 130 people. Recent incidents in Nice, France and Vienna, Austria have been a stark reminder that extremism and terrorism remains a key issue for nations, even during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. ISWeek will bring panels of counter terror experts together to look at how the industry can better share intelligence ISWeek, which incorporates International Security Expo (ISE), International Cyber Expo (ICE) and International Disaster Response Expo (IDR), will bring panels of counter terror experts together to look at how the industry can better share intelligence and best practice. Key insights on counter terrorism During Day One, sponsored by HS Security, attendees will hear from ex-jihadi Aimen Dean, who eventually defected to pass information to UK intelligence on Al-Qaeda’s networks and plots. He will explain how the Islamist movement is evolving in the wake of COVID-19. Steve Rodhouse, Director of General Operations will share perspectives from the National Crime Agency (NCA) on what will be the most pressing serious and organised crime to tackle in 2021. Balancing protection and access control Earlier this month, the UK’s alert level was raised to ‘severe’, and Niall Griffin, Hardstaff Barriers - Representing HS Security, a Division of Hill & Smith PLC, will explain why identification of risk and the implementation of measures must be managed carefully. Fay Tennet, Deputy Director of Security Operations at the Houses of Parliament will join a panel to deliberate the balance between protecting locations and ensuring it remains accessible for the general public. Steve Cooper OBE, Chief Operating Officer at Apstec Systems will speak to acclaimed security and intelligence journalist, Philip Ingram MBE about security screening in the post-pandemic era. Protecting Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) Mitigating the threats to Critical National Infrastructure requires careful policy and implementation Mitigating the threats to Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) requires careful policy and implementation. Justin Lowe, industry renowned expert in cyber resilience of energy and utilities and critical infrastructures and Senior Home Office Official, Shaun Hipgrave will take part in a panel discussion on Day Three, which focuses on Protecting Critical National Infrastructure & crowded places and adapting Law and Order, sponsored by Apstec Systems. Intelligence sharing in the Digital Age Intelligence sharing is made easier in the Digital Age, but Commissioner, Ian Dyson of the City of London Police will look at the impact of Brexit on the UK’s ability to share data with European and International colleagues and the solutions being put into place to continue effective transnational communication. Nineteen Events Ltd.’s Event Director, Rachael Shattock said “With 13 national infrastructure sectors in the UK, there is a tremendous amount for security professionals to consider when protecting a country’s way of life. That’s why we’re delighted to offer such a diverse range of voices at ISWeek in 2020, providing their experience in the fields of law and order, CNI protection and counter terrorism.” Rachael adds, “There are just days left to register to attend, so we encourage everyone in the industry to sign up today to access all of the fantastic content, as well as an exclusive report into the State of Security by Westlands Advisory.” Combined ISE, ICE and IDR events in one week Incorporating International Security Expo (ISE), International Cyber Expo (ICE) and International Disaster Response Expo (IDR), ISWeek will be filmed in a television studio setting, with high production value. Leading experts from around the globe will be interviewed by veteran security and intelligence journalist, Philip Ingram MBE, during high-level interactive panel discussions and ‘fireside chats’.