For more than 75 years, S.J. Smith has been a family-owned company. In 1950, Sylvester and Helen Smith got their start in business by providing gas and welding supplies to smaller customers, when they took over accounts from AIRCO.

These smaller customers weren’t just places to provide supplies to – Sylvester and Helen knew them and their families. Sylvester had worked with AIRCO for 25 years, and he and Helen were lifelong Davenporters. And those relationships not only gave them a start on building a business of their own, but for their family.

In 1969, Sylvester and Helen’s son, Richard, joined the company and Sylvester retired shortly after. Richard led S.J. Smith to expand to its current 12 locations in Iowa, Illinois and Missouri. He welcomed his three children into the business in the 1990s and early 2000s, and now all have leadership roles at S.J. Smith. Richelle Smith-Brecht serves as the President and CEO, Eric Smith is the Vice President of Operations, and Christopher Smith is in Purchasing.

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, 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.