Hendy-based SMR UK is on a mission to change the way construction and utility companies think about waste.
From its production site in Caldicot, SMR UK manufactures and supplies patented binder products that transform excavated spoil and waste materials into strong, reusable building materials. Their products serve as sustainable alternatives to traditional methods that rely on aggregate and landfills, cutting costs, reducing emissions, and helping clients meet stringent environmental standards.
Clients like Redrow, National Grid, and Anglian Water already rely on SMR UK’s technology, which includes the recently launched SMR ReBind, an on-site soil remediation solution that's helping unlock brownfield housing sites across the UK.
With the help of the Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP), Business Wales' high-growth support service, SMR UK has refined its marketing, enhanced internal systems, and strengthened its team, laying the groundwork for further innovation and growth.
We caught up with Managing Director Clare Thomas to find out more.
How has AGP helped SMR UK achieve its goals?
AGP gave us the tools to modernise how we work, talk to customers, and grow. Their support helped transform our operations and unlock new opportunities.
First, we had a full website and marketing diagnostic. It showed us exactly what needed fixing from our SEO to how we told our story online. We rebuilt the site with clearer messaging and better visibility, and we’re already seeing more inbound leads as a result.
Next, AGP helped us review and streamline our sales process. They didn’t suggest expensive software changes. Instead, they focused on maximising what we already had, helping us enhance our CRM system and integrate it into daily use. It’s been transformational. We now have better visibility of our pipeline, factory orders, and client conversations, all in one place.
AGP also supported our HR strategy, benchmarking roles, revising contracts, and assisting us in recruiting for key positions. That’s allowed us to grow the team with confidence.
What challenges has SMR UK faced, and how has AGP helped overcome them?
Like many small, fast-growing businesses, we were juggling a lot at once: innovating, delivering projects, and scaling internally. But our internal systems and team structure hadn’t caught up with our ambition and potential.
We needed clarity on how to effectively communicate our services, improve our customer relationships, and recruit the right talent for the team. AGP’s structured, expert support gave us that clarity.
Their advice was both strategic and practical. The work we did on our CRM and marketing has directly helped us generate more leads and close more business. The HR support gave us confidence to hire well and stay legally compliant. They’ve helped us build solid foundations, enabling us to grow faster and smarter.
What sets SMR UK apart in the construction and utility industries?
We offer real, workable solutions to one of the construction and utility industry’s biggest problems: waste.
Our core innovation is a range of proprietary binders that let companies reuse up to 100% of the excavated soil they generate on-site. That means less waste going to landfills, fewer truck movements, and significant savings in both cost and carbon.
Our products are designed to directly replace traditional aggregates and stabilisers like Type 1 or lime, which are less sustainable and often more expensive.
Our products save money, reduce risk, and simplify site logistics. Whether it’s civil engineering, road reinstatement, or brownfield housing, we’re providing better alternatives to the ‘dig and dump’ approach that’s dominated for decades.
ReBind, our latest innovation, is a great example. It enables developers to treat contaminated soil on-site, reducing remediation costs by up to 50% and shortening project timelines. We’ve already used it on a major infrastructure project to save over £2 million and prevent 1,300 truck movements. That’s the kind of impact that motivates us all.
What are your plans for the future of SMR UK?
We want to lead the shift to smarter, more sustainable construction practices.
With AGP’s support, we’ve built the internal structure to scale, and we’re now focused on growing our customer base, expanding our distributor network, and pushing ReBind into the housing sector. There are thousands of brownfield sites waiting to be unlocked. Our technology can make that possible.
We’re also continuing to invest in people and systems to ensure we remain agile and responsive as demand grows.
What advice would you give aspiring entrepreneurs or innovators?
Ask for help early. You don’t need to do it all yourself. AGP has been brilliant in helping us identify what we needed and getting the right support in place. That’s freed me up to focus on the bigger picture and move the business forward. Strategic support and advice from experienced relationship managers who can quickly understand your business and identify gaps and opportunities can often be way more valuable than financial assistance.
Find out more about the Accelerated Growth Programme here.
Find out more about SMR UK here.