SMART THINKING IN NORTHEAST SCOTLAND

 SMART THINKING IN NORTHEAST SCOTLAND

Aberdeenshire-based fencing, agricultural and industrial supplies business GP Smart & Son is keeping the memory of founder Alistair Smart well and truly alive.

Alistair, who sadly passed away November 2022 following a yearlong battle with cancer, started the business in 2016 together with wife Dot from the family-run Shiel Farm in Alford around 25 miles from Aberdeen.

General Manager David Brown explained: “We have managed to continue trading and were recently taken over by main Claas dealer Sellars Agriculture Ltd who boast seven depots across Scotland.

“We are now trading as GP Smart & Son Ltd. Business has been very intense over the last two years with the shortage, lead times and price increases of quality products but we are making changes and hope to see the business progress further over the course of 2024 with more fantastic products.”

Indeed an ever growing range of innovative fencing tools, products and systems is testament to Alistair’s entrepreneurial spirit with David continuing that ethos since taking over the reins early in 2022 after three years with the business.

He went on “We operate on tight margins and focus on volumes, whether that be selling to trade, contractors, farmers or the domestic audience.

“We have a reliable family of suppliers who keep us ticking over and we have been experiencing growth in recent times across the entirety of our product lines.

“We supply a wide range of fencing materials from budget to best quality. Specialising in creosoted fencing materials, we supply posts, strainers, stays and rails suited to all classes of livestock including equine.

“We stock and supply Scanpole’s creosoted materials that are sourced in Norway and Baltic nations where timber is slow grown and well matured. These products are treated to BS 8417 standard and have an expected service life of over 40 years.

“James Jones, Gordons of Nairn and Timber Concepts are our main suppliers of all tantalised types of fence posts, strainers, rails and sawn timber.

“Demand for domestic fencing has grown significantly in recent years with sarking, decking boards, framing timber, sleepers, postcrete and concrete all in high demand.

“Tornado Wire is the choice for wire with an extended range of all categories to suit any livestock situation ie cattle, sheep, equine, rabbit/chicken net, domestic etc.

“Speedrite supply our electric fencing units and they are available in mains, dual power or solar power options complemented by a choice of accessories from the likes of Gallagher, Patura and Strainrite.

“Strainrite NZ is a world renowned manufacturer of fencing
equipment and tools and are both retailed and warehoused from our site, distributing throughout UK, Ireland and Europe.

“Steel re-enforced concrete water troughs also play a big part in the business supplying to both end user and trade. NZ full free flow valves are supplied with all troughs as standard.

“We also sell specialist agricultural machinery including Alstrong Areators, Malone Equipment and we are sole Scotland distributors for the award winning Trakjak.

“We also hold stocks of Ritchie field and deer gates as well as livestock feeding and handling equipment from Ritchie, Pratley and Condon Engineering.

“This is a part of the world that is immersed in agriculture and it’s vital that we keep our noses to the ground to find folks the best tools for the job,” added David who currently employs two full-time and two part-time staff.

G P Smart has recently created a new shop area at Shiel farm allowing the company to showcase a fantastic range of clothing and footwear from leading brands including Kaiwaka, Redback, Buckbootz, Performance Brands and Leon Boots.

With a bit of fine tuning G P Smart will be bigger and better than ever. That’s a fine way to honour the memory of Alistair who, you suspect, will be looking down with a sense of approval.

david@smartinthepark.co.uk David Brown – 07496274771

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