Site Updated 10/09/08
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August 2006 SMITH BROS & WEBB LIMITED will be exhibiting at the Euro Bus Expo 2006 show, which takes place from 7-9th November at Birmingham’s NEC. We will be located at stand number A36 in Hall 5, and our staff look forward to meeting you to discuss your requirements.
July 2006
April 2006
January
2006 SMITH BROS & WEBB LIMITED will, once again, be exhibiting at the Commercial Vehicle Show. This years show runs from 25th – 27th April at Birmingham’s NEC, and we look forward to meeting you at Stand no. 2118 in Hall 2. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you require assistance with registration or would like to discuss any specific issues in advance of the show.
November 2005 SMITH BROS & WEBB LIMITED are pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Prockter as Business Development Manager, Rail. Mark, originally an Economics & Accountancy graduate, has many years experience in the rail industry and comes to us with an in depth knowledge of the UK and International rail markets, although his specialised background is in sales of train care facilities. Originally from Kent, where he still lives, Mark can be contacted in the first instance via SMITH BROS & WEBB LIMITED’s head office in Alcester.
SMITH BROS & WEBB LIMITED Celebrate Return To Upgraded And Expanded Factory. Following the fire that damaged our factory in February, we are pleased to report that repair work has been completed, all operations have been relocated back to our own premises, and production has now resumed from our own factory. Indeed, not only were we able to continue production virtually uninterrupted from an alternative unit during the previous 8 ½ months, we took the opportunity to significantly expand and enhance the factory while it was closed for repairs. In addition to removing and replacing the entire factory roof and cladding, and structural steel close to the seat of the fire, the factory has been given a complete electrical refit and we have made significant investment in new factory equipment such as shot blasting plant, electrostatic painting, craneage, roller shutter doors, lathes and drills. A new air extraction facility for the paint booth and improved lighting have also contributed to the working environment. Furthermore, we have increased the floorspace of both our factory and office building. Our office space has been increased by 60%, including new purpose built conference rooms and an expanded drawing office, and our factory has been expanded to over 2,500 square metres. New and improved fire protection systems and security alarms have been fitted throughout our premises, and an upgraded telephone system has been installed. Some minor redecoration and refitting work remains to be completed in the next few months, but we are proud to report that we have emerged from the events of last February bigger, stronger and better equipped to face the challenges of the future.
October
2005 As part of the prestigious Channel Tunnel Rail Link project, a train maintenance depot at Temple Mills, just north of Stratford, is under construction. The depot will consist of an eight-road shed, with berthing sidings, toilet discharge facilities and an automatic train wash plant. Clean, bright and distinctive liveries are of increasing importance to all train operating companies. Of course, this is not a new phenomenon as SMITH BROS & WEBB LIMITED, the chosen specialist supplier train washing equipment, can testify. Their pedigree dates back to the 1920’s when the business designed and built a Carriage Washing Plant for the London and North Western Railway. Since then the company has supplied many train washing systems around the world under their Britannia branding. The SMITH BROS & WEBB LIMITED design team is well used to developing train wash schemes which meet even the most demanding expectations. Consequently, when Rail Link Engineering, the CTRL designers and project managers, was searching for a suitable contractor the team was able to produce a proposal to more than satisfy their client’s needs. The aim was to provide an efficient and reliable wash facility with minimal environmental impact. Therefore, SMITH BROS & WEBB LIMITED’s engineering design team offered a Britannia 8 brush bi-directional wash plant which is designed to utilize neutral bio-degradable detergents. Furthermore, the plant incorporates a ‘total’ water recycling system which recovers most of the spent wash water and treats it for re-use in the wash process. The plant is to be installed in a wash ‘tunnel’ building, to afford protection during poorer weather conditions and to contain over-spray. The profile of the rolling stock is critical to wash plant design. In this case, the design team was asked to consider not only the train sets currently in operation but those that would be used in the future. Consequently, ease of eventual up grade is incorporated within the configuration of the equipment and the wash-pad. Awarded to SMITH BROS & WEBB LIMITED in April 2005, the design phase of the train wash project is nearing completion, with procurement and manufacturing activities due to commence on schedule by the end of 2005. The main equipment will be manufactured in its newly upgraded manufacturing facility located in Alcester, Warwickshire, in readiness for delivery to commence during May 2006. SMITH BROS & WEBB LIMITED installation engineers are due to arrive on site in June. With installation and commissioning scheduled to take 6 weeks, the Temple Mills train wash is expected to be ready to go into service by August 2006.
March 2005 In the late evening of 28th February 2005, a fire took place within our Britannia works on the Arden Forest Industrial Estate in Alcester. The cause of the fire is unknown, and was not immediately detected as the premises were unoccupied at the time. The swift action of our security personnel and subsequently the emergency services ensured the fire was brought under control as quickly as was possible. Nevertheless, the damage was very serious, putting our production and main stores out of action. Initial estimates suggested that it could take six months to renovate our existing premises and restore our manufacturing capability. However, we resolved at a very early stage that we were not going to allow this incident to affect our business. We were determined that all our customers, those requiring service support and those with orders on hand for new equipment, should still be able to rely on us. In fact, our goal was that there should be no disruption, in our customers' eyes, whatsoever to our supply of goods and services. Consequently, it was necessary to put our Disaster Recovery Plans into operation immediately. The first priority was safety. Within not much more than 24 hours all electrical circuits had been checked and either returned to use or isolated where necessary. The clean up operation had begun at once but as soon as we were sure the premises were safe it started in earnest. The integrity of the power supply was also important to protect the comprehensive suite of computer based systems, which are an integral part of everyone's business these days. The next step was to locate alternative manufacturing and storage space. Within three days we had secured two additional factory units and some temporary finished product storage, all conveniently situated on the Arden Forest Industrial Estate. We are grateful to our neighbours for their help and support. I am delighted to report that within days we were producing
some sub assemblies from the smaller unit. Our main stores, which is extremely
important in supporting our service and spares activities, resumed full
operation also, in a matter of two days. The key new unit which is housing our
fabrication and final assembly capability was in production in under three
weeks. No doubt, internally, we will continue to suffer disruption for some time yet whilst renovations to our factory take place. However, the management team is committed to seizing this opportunity to accelerate our plans to improve our amenities. We do not wish to just restore our existing factory; we are determined to develop our facilities, thereby increasing our capabilities. Out of every set back there lies an opportunity. John P Bennett
February 2005 SMITH BROS & WEBB LIMITED
will once again be an exhibitor at the Commercial Vehicle Show. This years show
will be held at the Birmingham NEC from 5th - 7th April 2005, and you will find
us located at Stand 507 in Hall 20.
January 2005 SMITH BROS & WEBB LIMITED
are pleased to announce the appointment of Ian Eggleton to the post of
Engineering Manager.
December 2004 Effective 1st December 2004 , SMITH
BROS & WEBB LIMITED are making the following
organisation changes.
October 2004 SMITH BROS & WEBB LIMITED
are pleased to announce availability of a drive through vehicle washing machine
developed specifically for truck fleet operators requiring fast throughput. The
Britannia
Streamline LW four brush drive-through is based upon the well established design
for the standard Britannia Streamline 45 bus
wash, which has proved to be extremely reliable, durable and cost effective. The
Britannia Streamline LW is designed to wash
the front, sides and rear of a vehicle as it drives through a wash bay, giving
an articulated vehicle an effective wash in less than 90 seconds. The machine is
designed with mirror avoid and can also be supplied with 'arctic gap' avoid to
prevent brush trapping on vehicles which are not close coupled. The
Britannia
Streamline LW is a fast, reliable and effective system for distribution centres
or depots where speed of turn around is important. Please contact our office in
Alcester or your regional sales contact for more details.
September 2004 SMITH BROS & WEBB LIMITED
will be exhibiting at both Railtex 2004 and Coach & Bus '04 shows, which are
being held simultaneously at the NEC in Birmingham from 2nd to 4th November
2004.
August 2004 SMITH BROS & WEBB LIMITED
are pleased to announce availability of the
Britannia
Strong RLW locomotive wash. This model was developed using our proven moving
gantry wash machine technology to provide our customers with the facility to
wash a stationary locomotive. The
Britannia
Strong RLW efficiently cleans the front, sides and rear of the vehicle and can
easily be 'taught' to wash most shapes of locomotive. This is suitable for
operators who have a requirement for washing vehicles individually, such as rail
freight companies or operators of small sets. SMITH BROS & WEBB LIMITED Announce SMITH BROS & WEBB LIMITED
have already supplied, within their
Britannia
Train Wash Plant, the ability to automatically clean the front and rears of
trains on many occasions. There are examples of this facility not only in the
United Kingdom , but also in continental Europe , the Middle East and Asia .
However, we can now offer the Britannia THB
front and rear train washing machine in it's own right, both as part of an
overall train wash system or as an upgrade to an existing plant. This equipment
can be utilised whatever method of traction is in operation, electric or diesel.
This unique system automatically finds the profile of the train and is therefore
very adaptable for different train types.
June 2004 For several years, SMITH
BROS & WEBB LIMITED have been able to provide
the Britannia Chassismaster under vehicle
cleaning system through a supply agreement with Jaco Sumal Ltd of Birmingham .
Following a revision of this agreement, it gives us pleasure to announce that
production of the Britannia
Chassismaster
will now transfer from Jaco Sumal to our own factory in Alcester. While Jaco
Sumal will continue to offer design and technical support for the Chassismaster,
SMITH BROS & WEBB LIMITED
will now assume primary responsibility for its manufacturing, installation and
after sales service.
April 2004 SMITH BROS & WEBB LIMITED
are pleased to announce that with immediate effect, the role of Stewart
Robertson , our Northern Area Sales Manager, has been expanded and enhanced. In
addition to his current area responsibilities, Stewart will now have
responsibility for our customers in Yorkshire and Northern Ireland . Stewart
will also be responsible for dealing with a number of accounts at a national
level. This year, SMITH BROS
& WEBB LIMITED, the foremost British
manufacturer of automated vehicle washing systems for passenger carrying and
commercial vehicles celebrates its 60th anniversary.
February 2004 SMITH BROS & WEBB LIMITED
are pleased to announce the appointment of Andy Stevenson to the position of
Sales Office Manager.
January 2003 A new Britannia Locomotive wash manufactured by midlands based SMITH BROS & WEBB LIMITED has recently been installed at the Kingmoor depot of rail freight haulier Direct Rail Services Ltd. DRS is a leading U.K. supplier of nuclear and specialist freight services, offering full nationwide coverage from its facilities at Sellafield, Crewe and the new Kingmoor depot in Carlisle. It has achieved a reputation for delivering safe and efficient rail transport solutions with the experience gained from over four decades of moving radioactive materials and other hazardous goods. The company's fleet of locomotives is routinely maintained to the highest standards. Operating Type 37, Type 20 and Type 33 locomotives the company is equipped to provide traction for all types of rail freight movement. With the increased business gained over the years and today's trend for eye-catching customer friendly liveries on the traction loco's, the need to keep stock clean and pristine is of paramount importance. With an expanding fleet, manual washing of traction units was becoming more and more time and manpower consuming, DRS decided to find an alternative, automated method of keeping the stock clean. Logistics Manager Cliff Read quotes "I have been aware of SMITH BROS & WEBB LIMITED's prominence and expertise in the field of train washing for many years during my involvement in the rail industry. When I contacted them the response was immediate and the enthusiasm behind their ideas and proposals left me in no doubt that a working partnership between our two organizations would result in a solution to our problem" The equipment installed is a Britannia moving gantry machine operating on a two pass basis with the loco being stationary whilst being washed. This ensures an efficient and consistent standard of wash without the drawbacks experienced with drive through machines. All areas above buffer level including front, rear and roofs are actively washed and the bespoke machine has the added advantage of being able to automatically sense the different stock types and adjusting itself to suit. For instance the Type 20 stock with forward narrow engine casing and side walkway layout, entails the use of purpose built swing arm brushes moving in to efficiently scrub narrow areas, while dedicated sole bar brushes ensure that full coverage is achieved. The same brushes, again automatically adjusted by the machine micro-processor control also take care of all areas on the Type 37, Type 66 and Type 33 stock. An integral wash pad water reclamation system means that the total cost of washing a traction locomotive is around £1.75 including water, detergent and power. The whole process takes no more than ten minutes. Cliff Read continues… "The procurement of this valuable resource will prove to be an enormous cost saving exercise for us and at the same time has given us the facility to efficiently wash locos whenever they return or go out from the depot. As a result our stock is staying as clean and attractive as when it left the paint shop. I would recommend the SMITH BROS & WEBB LIMITED organization to anyone in this line of business considering automated washing of rolling stock." |
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It’s a measure of the durability of the equipment
manufactured by 
SMITH
BROS & WEBB LIMITED