Founded by Robert Smith in 1875, Smith&Smith commenced business in the Octagon, Dunedin as a supplier of painting, signwriting and decorating services. Despite economic hard times, the company extended operations in 1882, opening a paint factory which produced Smith&Smith branded paint and varnish. Production steadily increased and a new outlet was opened in Wellington in 1899 followed by the Christchurch branch in 1902 in Tuam Street. It was the early 1900's when a long standing relationship with glass manufacturer Pilkington Glass was started.

Robert Smith's youngest son Briton took over the business in 1920, marking an era of rapid expansion. At this time, Smith&Smith successfully produced 'Steelite' Green roof paint which not only provided adequate coverage and protection, but held it's colour - an ideal alternative to the widely used red oxide of iron. "Watch this Steelite Green stay Green", became a household phrase throughout N.Z. and the colour green was adopted as the company's 'corporate colour'.

Smith&Smith made a significant move into the Builders Hardware Trade and opened its first Auckland Branch in 1921. Simultaneously, a six storey warehouse in Albert St was built and this is where the Auckland headquarters remained for the next 50 years. In 1928 the Auckland business took over a small timber yard at Freeman's Bay, becoming a major supplier of timber up to and beyond the post WWII building boom. As demand grew outlets were opened in Lower Hutt and Petone, then at Napier, Hastings, Palmerston North and Wanganui. The glass operation continued to grow through building glass supply and contract glazing services.

After nearly 80 years of paint production, Smith's then sold this side of the business to British Paints (NZ) Ltd and began to focus more on timber sourcing and milling. Radiata timbers became more widely accepted as native supplies dwindled motivating the company to buy saw mills in Dargaville and Waihi with State Forest Supply Quotas in 1959. The 60's saw Smith&Smith move into automotive glazing in its Wellington branch.

"Smith&Smith – We've got it!" became a the well known jingle for the iconic brand of Hardware stores in the mid 70's and the company commenced a Forestry Planting Project in 1975 to provide supplies of exotic timber for the future.

Smith&Smith operations were then divided up and sold to various parties in the mid 80's with Pilkington Glass taking over the glass business and merging Winstone Glass with the trading activities of Smith&Smith Glass trading under the Smith&Smith brand in 1996.

In 1998 Smith&Smith was bought by Belron - the world's largest vehicle glass repair and replacement company with operations in 29 countries across four continents. Backed by Belron's specialist technical department all Smith&Smith technicians are trained in 'best practice' techniques using the latest high quality tooling to ensure customers receive the best possible service and results. All automotive technicians undergo annual assessment and are encouraged to compete for a place in the bi-annual Best of Belron global competition. Smith&Smith technicians have produced top five finishes in the last 2 events.