It ’ s been a family affair for 70 years – and a Teesside steel firm plans to keep forging ahead with the founder ’ s grandchildren at the helm . Steel stockist and profiler SM Thompson , which is celebrating its platinum anniversary , delivers a range of services from its site on Dormor Way in South Bank , Middlesbrough .

Using cutting edge technology , including CNC ( computer numerically controlled ) cutters and a £ 500,000 laser machine , its services include laser , flame , plasma and bevel cutting , plate and section rolling , press braking , drilling and plate marking .

But it ’ s been a Teesside success story ever since it was formed by Stanley Moorhouse Thompson in 1950 and was registered with Companies House on October 11 the same year .

Its first offices were in the old Port Clarence railway station but , in 1955 , the fledgling firm moved to a much larger site by Middlesbrough ’ s Newport Bridge – called the Marathon Works after Stanley ’ s interest in athletics .

In 2015 , the Marathon Works moved to their current home . And with Stanley ’ s eldest son Howard , the current chairman , now planning to step back from his duties , it will be his children – MD Harvey and director Holly – who will drive the firm forward , aided and supported by a loyal and committed workforce .

The 25-strong team includes workshop foreman Anthony Lynch and two employees each with over 30 years ’ service – Mike Morgan and Simon Bunyan . And it ’ s that sort of loyalty that Howard , 73 , says has been one of the keys to SM Thompson ’ s success .

He said : “ I like the people who work with me , they ’ re a good bunch . And I ’ ve never been one to crack the whip – I prefer friendliness to threats !

How we were – the SM Thompson team in the 1950s .

MADE OF STEEL

“ Personally , I ’ ve always enjoyed the steel business . Even in my holidays when I was a lad , I ’ d go out as a lorry driver ’ s mate . The industry is in my blood .

“ Recently , it ’ s been a frustrating time for everyone but you ’ ve just got to keep going – there ’ s light at the end of the tunnel . It ’ s a matter of getting through the tough times and doing well enough in the bad times . You ’ ve just got to keep at it and do the best you can – that ’ s all I ask of everyone .

“ My father always said ‘ When you ’ ve got work on , you ’ re busy and when you haven ’ t got work on , you should be busy looking for work ’.”

And Howard says local loyalty has been one of the firm ’ s strong points .

“ There are lots of steel stockholders in the country but we look after our local people – we can give them better deliveries than someone 100 miles away .

“ We guarantee delivery dates and if we can ’ t do a job , we ’ re upfront about it and people appreciate that .

“ I ’ m delighted Harvey and Holly seem to both enjoy it as much as I did . It ’ ll be in safe hands . They realise that by working together , you achieve goals .”

Harvey , 43 , has been with the firm since

Machine operator Marcus Liddle at work at the 70-year-old firm .

he was 18 , working his way through the ranks and experiencing every aspect of the business .

Holly got involved relatively late , having spent several years travelling , largely in the hospitality business . But together , they ’ re determined to keep the SM Thompson name a key player in the steel stock and profiling business .

And Harvey believes continuing to invest is crucial .

He said : “ We try and buy the latest technology where we can because it keeps us at the forefront .

“ But we ’ re always looking at ways of keeping ahead of the game .”

Holly added : “ We must credit the workforce because we know we can rely on them to get work out of the door to a high standard , and on time .

“ If something is needed on Monday morning and it means working the weekend , they ’ ll do it and put their all into it – they always deliver .”

For more about SM Thompson Ltd , visit smthompson . co . uk

The voice of business in the Tees region | 93

Tees Business Issue 23 | Page 93

MADE OF STEEL