West Midlands family business celebrates three-year anniversary

L-R David Hough, Jonathan Hough

Staffordshire-based handrail and balustrade specialists SMART Balustrades is celebrating reaching three years in business and a strong pipeline of work - despite the current economic climate.

Set up by brothers David and Jonathan Hough in 2017, the family business specialises in the fitting and manufacturing of bespoke glass and stainless-steel balustrades, handrails and Juliet balconies, for the commercial and residential sectors.

In just three years, the brothers have built the business - from its HQ in Burntwood - on reputation and referrals and now turns over £1.5 million per annum. Having remained busy during the lockdown period and expanded its specialist products and services since its inception, the company has ambitious growth plans.

Growing from four initial clients to now over 160, SMART Balustrades has delivered projects for high-profile names in construction including Grove Developments, Kier Construction, Clegg Group, Caddick Construction and Croudace Homes.

Working heavily in the hotel and leisure sectors, the company has also delivered projects for luxury brands including Crowne Plaza, Hilton, Fairmont and Porsche.

The team, which has almost 100 years of combined experience in the balustrade industry, is now six strong - with plans to relocate to a larger office as the team continues to expand.

David Hough, managing director and co-founder, said: “Reaching three years in business is an incredible achievement for us and it has given us a chance to reflect on the milestones that have led us to where we are today. Completing a major hotel project at Heathrow Airport in 2018, expanding with new members of the team, being shortlisted as ‘Rising Stars’ in the Midlands Family Business Awards in 2019, bringing some of our manufacturing processes in-house and officially launching into the residential sector earlier this year, have all played a major part.

“Despite the challenges 2020 has presented, we’ve continued to tender and secure work. Our manufacturing has also been able to continue due to our large factory space, which meant implementing social distancing and safe working was immediately possible.

“We’ve now set ourselves even bigger goals to work towards and Staffordshire is a great place to do business. Here’s to many more successful years to come!”

Jonathan Hough, contracts director and co-founder added: “The decision to set up our own business three years ago was a scary but very easy one – and we’ve never looked back.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to our clients who have put their trust in us, and to our team, both instrumental in our success.

“We strive to deliver the very best solutions for our clients I think our collective work ethic, customer service and straight-forward friendly approach to business have created the culture we have today.

“We worked out that to date we have installed approximately 12,000 metres of balustrade which is incredible. Like any business there have been challenges along the way, but it continues to be an amazing journey and David and I are proud of the incredible brands we work with and the dedicated team we have built.”

SMART Balustrades is part of the Unitech Group, with whom it shares its office space, and it is currently working with Unitech Machinery to deliver balustrades and steel stairs packages.