Hill and Smith: 200 years of engineering history

21/02/2024 |

Hill & Smith PLC celebrates its 200th anniversary this year - a huge landmark for perhaps the most historic and certainly one of the most important companies in the highways sector.

Providing everything from temporary and permanent road safety barriers, renewable energy lighting and power solutions, Intelligent Traffic Solutions, street lighting columns and bridge parapets, the company has earned a storied place not just in the history of highways but at the heart of British engineering.

Foundations in the past

Dating back to 1824 in the West Midlands Black Country, the company was originally known as Hill’s Ironworks, before a partnership between Edward Hill and Henry Smith saw the company evolve into Hill & Smith in 1853.

Over the years, it has played its part in history - including supplying miles of fencing for Queen Victoria’s estate and working on iconic structures like the Sydney Harbour Bridge - and naturally has had to adapt to it, for instance during the world wars when it offered more bespoke engineering services. 

Picture:The 1960s Hill & Smith factory

A watershed moment came in 1922, when it turned its attention to steel railings and bridges, starting a move towards public safety and security work, which continues to this day.

In 1969, it was listed on the London Stock Exchange, and in the 1970s it developed a new line of work manufacturing crash barriers for the Department of Transport. These were the first UK-tested restraint systems on the market and were built in Hill and Smith's own galvanising plant.

The modern era for the company truly began in 1986 when H&S Holdings was created to support expansion - that trading name has now become Hill & Smith PLC.

A modern division

Finally, Hill & Smith Infrastructure was created in 2022. Forged (pun intended) from the combination of Hill & Smith Barriers - the founding company and still based in the West Midlands - with Asset VRS, Hardstaff Barriers, and Varley and Gulliver. These four leading road safety companies now represent a leading road and security division:

  • Asset VRS: Supplies a comprehensive range of temporary and permanent vehicle restraint systems (VRS) and hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM) products and services most recently on the M40/M42 upgrade.
  • Hardstaff Barriers: Delivers the National Barrier Asset (NBA) for high profile events such as the Commonwealth Games, and the King’s coronation, and also offers, zonal protection and delineation solutions, and temporary and permanent safety barrier installations.
  • Hill & Smith Barriers: Pioneers in vehicle restraint systems, with decades of being a VRS supplier to National Highways and road authorities worldwide, Hill & Smith Barriers provides highway safety solutions around the world from the A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon improvement scheme and the Saudi/Yemen border road.
  • Varley & Gulliver: Experts in metal fabrication since the 1920s, Varley & Gulliver leads in designing, installing and maintaining bridge parapets, pedestrian barriers and bespoke solutions. Its international reach stretches from installations on the Erskine Bridge in Scotland to the Sheikh Zayed Bridge in Abu Dhabi.

Visions for the future

Hill and Smith has pledged to achieve net zero across our operations by 2040 and recently launched a range of low-carbon products, with both materials and processes stepping with light carbon footprints.

'Combining our past and present, Hill & Smith Infrastructure is not just a company – it’s a legacy in motion, ' the team says.

Its latest investment in a £750,000 Vernet machine, and a recent move of its West Bromwich factory into the existing Bilston site to optimise space and reduce carbon emissions, show it is still restless to make new history. 

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Principal Engineer - Adoptions

£46,878 - £50,071
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Principal Highways Engineer to join our Highways Development Management team. Northamptonshire
Recruiter: West Northamptonshire Council

Head of Design Services

£77,536 - £83,366
You will lead the delivery of a high-performing Technical Services Partnership (TSP). Lincolnshire
Recruiter: Lincolnshire County Council

Mobile Street Scene Operative

£24,796 - £25,989 per annum
We are currently looking for a Mobile Cleansing Operative to join our Northallerton team. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Highway Design and Construction Manager

Grade N, scp50 £62,443 to scp53 £65,663 per annum, plus essential car user allowance
We embrace AI to enhance our operations and to innovate our services. Bolton, Greater Manchester
Recruiter: Bolton Council

Asset Senior Maintenance Engineer (CDC)

Grade 10, £47,154 – £51,235
Do you have a positive approach to work and enjoy the challenge of a busy role? Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Structures Engineer

£40,777-£45,091
We are seeking to recruit a Highway Structures Engineer - Asset Management Graded 11. The post holder will be responsible for undertaking the workloa Durham
Recruiter: Durham County Council

Arboricultural Consultant

£36168.0000 - £42551.0000 per annum
Arboricultural ConsultantPermanentFull Time, 37 hours per week£36,168 to £42,551 per annumLocation
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Flood Risk Engineer - Epping Forest District Council

£40.0000 - £45.0000 per hour
Flood Risk Engineer Epping, EssexFull-Time, Temporary 37 Hours per Week 3 Months Contract* £40-£45 per hour, Umbrella Closing Date
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Senior Engineer

Starting Salary from £43,545 based on skills and
Job TitleSenior Engineer (x2 v... Frogmore Complex, Wandsworth, London,
Recruiter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Electrical Design Engineer

Grade 9 £35,412 to £39,152 - Grade 10 £38,220 to £41,771 - Grade 11 £40,777 to £45,091 - Grade 12 £44,075 to £48,226 p.a.
The Construction Consultancy Services (CCS) team provide client-side construction consultancy services across a range of professional disciplines to d Durham
Recruiter: Durham County Council

Street Lighting Electrician CDC

Grade 8, £33,708 - £37,399
Highways Operations is a growing service area within the Place directorate. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2311e

£26,403 - £26,824
This is a predominantly office-based role with some site visits required. Penrith, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Lawyer Planning and Highways - WMF2312e

£56,883 - £59,198
To be a success in our Legal Team you will have experience as a Planning and Highways Lawyer Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Street Cleansing Operative

£26,403.00 - £28,142.00, Grade 5, 37 hours, Permanent
An opportunity exists in the Council's Street Scene Services for a Street Cleansing Operative Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Civil Engineering Technician (HDM)

Grade 4 - Grade 6
Do you want to join a team helping to shape the future of Wakefield through Highways Development Management? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management operative course Staffordshire
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship Goole, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729 (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship Rothersthorpe, Northampton
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship Ecclesfield, Sheffield
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship. Barnsley, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: Amey
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW