Company History

What began in 1925 as an impartial testing ground for an infant tire industry starting to thrive in and around Akron, Ohio, has evolved into a multi-disciplined family of technology-based businesses serving an international clientele. Over the years, the Smithers name has become synonymous with quality, integrity, professionalism and service.

The Smithers Group is comprised of five member companies, each leaders in their respective fields:

	Smithers Scientific Services, providing testing and consulting services to the tire, rubber, automotive, and medical device industries.
	Smithers Quality Assessments, an accredited quality and environmental management systems registrar.
	Springborn Smithers Laboratories, offering regulatory compliance and environmental risk assessment services to the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
	Synomics Pharma Services, providing outsourced analytical services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and consumer healthcare companies.
	Smithers Rapra serves the polymer industry with a complete range of consultancy, testing and information services.

SQA was initially accredited to certify companies to the ISO 9000 series of quality management system standards. In January 1995, the company was one of the first nine registrars accredited for QS-9000, the American automotive quality system standard. In December 1999, SQA expanded its scope by becoming accredited for the ISO 14000 environmental management system standard. The company also achieved accreditation for AS9000 (now AS9100), the aircraft and aerospace sector quality management system standard, in March 2000.  SQA is especially proud of the fact that in early 1998 it was selected to participate in the pilot program for the new international automotive quality management system, ISO/TS 16949. In October 2000, the company became one of only four registrars (at that time) in the United States that was fully approved by the IATF to grant certifications to this new standard.

Today, SQA provides certification services to a multitude of industrial, commercial and service businesses. Sectors served also include government and defense agencies. Clients include large, multi-national corporations, medium size businesses, and small organizations. In each case, the client is assured of receiving high quality, competent, and consistent professional assessment service. Since its inception, SQA has sustained a growth rate that ranks among the best in the industry. This was achieved through a commitment to customer attention and providing high-level professional assessment services. SQA's clients are geographically represented throughout North America, with an additional presence in Europe.

We pride ourselves on our No Surprises pledge and strive to be the perfect partner for certification/registration services to our clients.

The management of Smithers Quality Assessments, Inc. understands the importance of impartiality in certification-related decisions and is committed to ensuring that impartiality exists in all processes and personnel that effect such decisions. Controls are in place to address conflict of interest and ensure objectivity.