apart from other office suppliers.

"Our success is bred on customer satisfaction. That means meeting customer requirements,'' says general manager Mr. Colin Smith.

His father, Mr. Tony Smith began the business in 1975 in his own father's dining room. Since then it has grown tremendously. Now the company is consolidated in the Continental Building on Church Street, with a staff of 22.

From there, the business sells just about every kind of product an office needs from flooring and carpeting to furniture to wall and ceiling systems.

Nearby is a warehouse to give customers a choice of all in-stock products, but any item not available can be specially ordered.

Every product sold is delivered and installed by qualified professionals. And the company also provides periodic visits to customers to assess the condition of all their A.F. Smith products and to determine if repair or replacement is needed.

Another unique service from A.F. Smith Trading Company Ltd. is professional cleaning of upholstered panels. It is all part of their plan to respond to every customer's needs.

The company's aim is to "satisfy the total office environment needs of customers throughout the Island'', says Mr. Colin Smith. It does that by offering only the highest quality products like Xerox, Steelcase Inc.

(furniture), and Armstrong (ceiling and wall systems).

A.F. Smith Trading Company Ltd. serves local as well as international firms.

Some of their loyal and repeat customers include Argus Insurance Group, the Bank of Bermuda, the Bermuda Government, Cable & Wireless, Continental Insurance and SeaLand Construction.

Since the business first opened, Mr. Colin Smith said customers demands have become more sophisticated and specific and A.F. Smith is committed to meeting these needs.

Colin Smith credits much of the company's continued success to the staff. "We have a dynamic and young team and they participate in many decisions,'' he says. "Their input in decisions produces more outstanding results because they all have control.'' He also credits his father, now president of the company, with having the know-how to start the business at a time when the market called for it.

The whole family is actively involved. Mother Mrs. Barbara Smith works side by side with her husband as vice-president and twin brother Mr. Tim Smith is chief operating officer.

But the Smith family is not content to sit back and rest on their laurels. Mr.

Colin Smith says: "We've come a long way, but there's a long way to go.'' He says the company has a solid foundation on which to grow and will continue to identify what the customers want and find the right solution to meet their requirements.

"Our goals include bettering the product and bettering ourselves,'' he says.

The only way to be successful is to get to know the customers, understand them and seek their feedback, he says. "The customer determines who is number one.'' FAMILY BUSINESS -- From left, Mr. Tim Smith, Mr. Tony Smith, Mr. Colin Smith with, sitting, Mrs. Barbara Smith.