In 1975, Anthony Frith “Tony” Smith unlocked the door to a new chapter in Bermuda’s business history. At 40 years old, and following a layoff during the oil crisis, Tony and his wife Barbara transformed their family dining room on Ord Road in Paget into the headquarters of a fledgling office furniture dealership. Selling was in Tony’s DNA, cultivated from a young age when, as the eldest of five children, he took on odd jobs to help support his family after his father’s death in World War II. Whether milking cows in New Jersey or driving a Good Humor ice cream van, Tony developed the grit and charm that would later define A.F. Smith’s early success.
Fifty years on, A.F. Smith has evolved from a small family operation into one of Bermuda’s most respected providers of office furniture, technology solutions, and workplace innovation. With almost 50 employees today, the company is celebrating not just longevity, but relevance.
When A.F. Smith first opened its doors, the company was an authorized dealer for Steelcase, one of the world’s largest office furniture manufacturers. Their first major client? The Bermuda Police Service, who purchased storage lockers for officers, a small but significant start. Over the years, the business secured distribution rights for prestigious brands like Xerox, Ricoh, Apple, and Dell, a testament to its credibility and reach.
Strategic acquisitions, including Bermuda Office Supplies, DataTech Ltd., Staples Ltd., and Bermuda Microsystems, expanded the company’s capabilities and product lines. More importantly, they kept A.F. Smith aligned with a rapidly changing marketplace. “If we had remained a traditional office supply store, we would be out of business today,” says current president Tim Smith, Tony’s son. “Our sole purpose is to help our customers improve their performance, whether that’s through technology, workspace design, or the right office essentials.”
Today, that means selling everything from AI-enabled printers and interactive whiteboards to ergonomic chairs that automatically adjust to each user. Their offerings are found in workplaces as varied as home offices, schools, churches, retail spaces, and global reinsurance firms.
Marking its golden anniversary, the company is celebrating in true A.F. Smith style: with its people, customers, and community at the center. In June, staff enjoyed a celebratory party at Bolero Restaurant. In a gesture linking past and future, the company pledged $50,000 to Bermuda College—also celebrating 50 years—to support the next generation of local talent. This fall, customers can look forward to “50 Days of Giveaways,” with random gifts and discounts as a thank-you for decades of loyalty.
In an era defined by rapid technological change and shifting work habits, A.F. Smith is positioning itself as more than a retailer; it’s a partner in workplace transformation. “Work must be empowering, inspirational, adaptive, and results-oriented,” Tim says. This philosophy drives their approach to designing spaces and selecting technology that fosters collaboration, productivity, and well-being.
Trends like hybrid work, global collaboration, and flexible workspace design are central to their offerings. By listening closely to clients, they curate solutions that reflect how people work today, and anticipate how they’ll work tomorrow.
Looking ahead, the company’s guiding principle is clear: “Innovate or else.” Tim stresses that relevance depends on the ability to pivot with market changes, technological advances, and evolving customer needs. “It’s not enough to boast ‘x’ years in business. You need a clear purpose and values that guide you through good times and turbulent times.”
For A.F. Smith, that purpose has always been to help people do their best work, whether that’s with a simple pen or the latest AI-driven technology. And as they celebrate 50 years, it’s clear they’re not just reflecting on history, they’re actively building the future of work in Bermuda.
Tel: 441 292 1882 | Email: mksmith@afsmith.bm | Web: afsmith.bm
Address: 7 Tumkins Lane, Hamilton
Services: Workplace Products, Furniture, Design, Technology Products, Multifunction Devices, Software, POS Systems, IT Support, Consulting & Insights.
