EXPANDING Wellington firm John Packer Musical Instruments has acquired Yorkshire-based Richard Smith Musical Instruments, the company behind the famous Smith-Watkins brand.

John Packer, which last year received the King’s Award for Enterprise for a second time, was already one of the UK’s largest specialist brass and woodwind retailers and manufacturers.

Now, it has added Smith-Watkins, renowned for its cornets and trumpets which are performed all over the world.

The acquisition continues a relationship between JP Musical Instruments and Richard Smith Musical Instruments dating to 2008, when the companies first embarked on a collaboration to create the JP Smith-Watkins range of trumpets and cornets.

JP Musical Instruments managing director Rob Hanson said: “It is a huge honour to welcome the Smith-Watkins brand to the family.

“With his groundbreaking acoustic research, Dr Richard Smith was a pioneer and the result has been outstanding musical instruments which light up concert halls, recording sessions, and military parades all over the world.

“These beautiful instruments will continue to be handcrafted in the UK, helping strengthen the future of UK brass manufacturing, and ensuring musicians all over the world can enjoy playing Smith-Watkins for generations to come.”

Dr Smith said: “Seeing Smith-Watkins instruments performed on the world stage has been an honour, and it gives me great pleasure knowing they are the choice of many of the world’s leading trumpet players.

“I have known Rob Hanson for many years, and with his drive, passion, and inimitable business acumen, he will help ensure the company can thrive and continue to reach new audiences all over the world.”

Smith-Watkins instruments will continue to be manufactured in its facility near York, and alongside Rath Trombones, in Yorkshire, and Taylor Trumpets, in Norfolk, the acquisition further strengthens UK brass instrument manufacturing.

The firm’s instruments can be found in the military bands of the British Army, Royal Marines, and RAF.