Sylvester and Helen Smith established S.J. Smith at its current location at 3707 W. River Drive in 1966 (pictured). At the time it was a one-story building, but it was a great increase in building and lot space, allowing S.J. Smith to expand. 

In 1969, Richard Smith, Sylvester and Helen’s son, joined the company. Rich was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1967. He served during the Vietnam conflict, stationed at Bamberg, Germany, where he worked as an engineer before being granted an honorable discharge in 1969. Following his service, he and his wife, Mary Lou, moved back to Davenport and he began working for S.J. Smith.

In 1972, Sylvester retired from the business, due to ill health, and his son, Rich Smith, then 28, moved into the CEO role. The company was incorporated Jan. 13, 1975.

In 1976, S.J. Smith began their era of expansion, and opened a location in Muscatine, Iowa.

In 1980, upon his father’s death, Rich was named president of S.J. Smith Company, Inc. A dedicated, visionary businessman, he moved the company into a new decade which would establish S.J. Smith Co. as a multi-state, multi-store regional distributorship.

What started off as a small welding supply company in 1950, has become a dynamic, problem-solving organization that focuses on providing top-notch service to all our customers, large and small. S.J. Smith uses the latest technology, training and experience to serve customers with the best solutions, whether that is in engineered laser gas installations, mobile app cylinder tracking capabilities, micro-bulk technology, weld training specific to your needs or certified equipment repair and more.

Our philosophy is to treat our customers and vendors with professionalism, responsiveness, and honesty. Our goal is to add value to business partner organizations, with our commitment to continuous improvement, innovation and mutual satisfaction, prompt responses and sound problem-solving advice. We work and live by our values of honesty and integrity, safety and customer-driven excellence, and our mission is to make our customers successful by providing cutting-edge solutions and quality products.

Over the past 75 years, the company has spanned three generations of the Smith family, and a few generations of employee families as well. In 2025-2026, we celebrate our past, and look forward to a bright future. Follow us on social media and check for updates at sjsmith.com to learn more.