SBS Chooses Thorworld Lorry Ramps To Drive Expansion

When the UK’s oldest and largest family-owned HVAC merchant, Smith Brothers Stores (SBS), needed to improve vehicle access at its Leicester distribution hub, it turned to Thorworld Industries to deliver a robust lorry ramp solution that could support its evolving operations and ambitious growth.

Originally built as a sorting facility for courier and freight operations, SBS’s 70,000 sq. ft site had dock-level doors but no external loading capability. As the business continued to scale, there was a growing need to enable forklift access for outside loading and unloading, as well as to safely store its 26-tonne fleet inside the building overnight.

Faced with the cost and disruption of major construction works, SBS instead explored bespoke fixed ramp solutions. After assessing multiple providers, Thorworld Industries stood out not only for its product quality but also for the clarity and confidence it showed from the start.

John Hammond, National Distribution Manager at SBS, explained: “We looked at several suppliers, but Thorworld stood out not just on product, but also on the confidence they gave us. They listened to our ideas, offered suggestions and weren’t afraid to tell us where something might not work. From day one, it felt like a partnership. That level of honesty and expertise made them the obvious choice.”

Thorworld’s distributor, DARMAX, worked closely with SBS throughout the process. Two heavy-duty lorry ramps, a 3m and a 4m wide unit, were installed in mid-April, giving the team a safe and versatile way to manage vehicle and forklift access.

Director of DARMAX, James Corfield, commented, “The challenge laid before us had so many facets to consider, it was a pleasure to see such a fantastic installation achieve the design brief for the client. It’s only through the detailed collaboration between SBS, Thorworld and DARMAX that Projects like this succeed so seamlessly.”

Due to the size and weight of the lorries involved, and the range of operational requirements, the project required careful coordination with multiple parties, including door specialists and vehicle manufacturers, to ensure clearances, ramp angles and entry points were correctly calculated. With detailed drawings, surveys and on-site meetings, Thorworld helped manage this process via their Distributor DARMAX to ensure all specifications were fully addressed.

“The communication was excellent throughout,” John added. “Every detail, every measurement, Thorworld handled it. It wasn’t just about the ramps; it was the whole package.”

The installation has helped unlock greater flexibility across SBS operations. With 22 branches now in place, up from just four 15 years ago, being able to deploy similar lorry ramp solutions elsewhere makes future site planning more agile and cost-effective.

By opting for a lorry ramp setup over permanent construction, SBS has gained outdoor loading access and indoor vehicle storage, while future-proofing its infrastructure in line with its rapid growth.