In 1959, when a law was passed by Congress restricting domestic retail trade to Filipino citizens and corporations, Smith Bell became 60% Filipino-owned. This marked the gradual exit of the British as key executives of the company.
In the decades of the 60’s, Smith Bell diversified further as it expanded its machinery and industrial products business to take advantage of the growth of diesel engines. It also put up the first Philippine factory to manufacture machine-woven carpets from local natural fibers.
In insurance, Smith Bell took controlling interest of Henry Hunter Bayne Adjustment Co. and expanded into all types of insurance adjustment work.
In 1969, when Smith Bell Travel and Tours was incorporated, it gave the tourism industry a boost. It pioneered the first international chartered flights from Cebu direct to Hongkong, Taipei and Tokyo, and entered into a joint venture with the Thomas Cook travel group.
As the 70’s and 80’s came, the company sold some of its investments and consolidated and positioned itself in its areas of expertise. Today, the Smith Bell Group of Companies offers a wide range of services such as insurance and re-insurance brokers, crewing agency and manning, vessel husbanding, tramp/tank and liner services, chartering brokers, heavy equipment suppliers, loan facilities and financing, import and export. It also offers claims settling, cargo surveys, hull and machinery surveys, surveillance and superintendence, petroleum and petrochemical surveys, hydrotesting and tank calibrations.
Backed by over one hundred and fifty years of experience and the expertise in its specialized fields and manned with a staff of competent and committed individuals, Smith Bell & Company, Inc. has established a reputation of professionalism and reliability. As it faces the daily challenges of an ever-changing world, Smith Bell continues to rely entirely on it unchanging tradition of Integrity and Excellence — its changeless core amidst a changing world.