History

Over twenty-five years ago, two brothers saw the coming electronics revolution and understood the challenge:  to meet growing industry and consumer demand, manufacturers would need real-time access to the right components at the right price and with uncompromising quality.  Existing supply chains were not going to be able to deliver.  And so Bob and Lee Ackerley, working at first with two phone lines from the back of a house, started Smith & Associates on this enduring principle:  there will always be business for the company that makes the client’s needs its own, and does not rest until those needs are met.  From that beginning in Houston to the multinational corporation that we are today, Smith & Associates has stayed true to that fundamental principal.

2011

• Smith completed a building greenovation including a 140kw solar installation, cool roof and efficient HVAC system.
• Our footprint in Asia saw continued growth with the opening of offices in Singapore and Taipei.
• Smith strengthened its already-sturdy domestic presence with the opening of its  Denver office.

2010

• Smith launches SmithSecure, a quality framework that reflects Smith's commitment to quality in every aspect of its business.
• Smith unveils an enhanced state-of-the-art in-house anti-counterfeit lab.
• Smith & Associates appoints Phyllis Tsu as Chief Information Officer

2009

• Smith & Associates celebrated its 25th anniversary in business.   
• Our 2008 sales, announced in early 2009, showed growth during a global economic downturn and put Smith at the top of Purchasing Magazine’s ranking of independent distributors.    

2008

• In our efforts to build the industry’s strongest quality assurance team, Smith & Associates reached a major milestone with over 20 IDEA-ICE-3000 certified in-house inspectors.
• Our China presence was expanded by opening an office in Shenzhen, China.
• Smith was again ranked in the Top 100 Private Companies by the Houston Chronicle.
• Matt Hartzell was named Chief Operating Officer and Thuy Tran was named General Counsel.
• Kirk Wehby was named Global Vice President of Operations

2007

• Smith was ranked in the Houston Chronicle's "Top Private Companies" poll.
• The Smith Networking division was launched to support customers sourcing telecommunications network equipment.
• Marc Barnhill was named Chief Trading Officer.

2006

• As a founding member of IDEA, an independent distributor trade association, Smith participated in development of IDEA-STD-1010-A.  All our facilities exceeded the standard at its inception.
• We opened our first office in Tokyo, Japan.

2005

• Smith secured its ISO 14001:2004 Certification.
• Global sales for Smith once again exceeded $500 million.
• Purchasing Magazine, Electronic Business, and Electronics Supply and Manufacturing all ranked Smith & Associates the top independent electronic component distributor.
• Smith ranked among the 50 fastest growing technology companies in Houston by Houston Business Journal.

2004

• Smith celebrated 20 years of Global Semiconductor Distribution and Services.
• Smith opened our first office in the People's Republic of China in Shanghai.
• Electronic Business and Purchasing magazines rank Smith the No. 1 independent North American electronic component distributor.
• Smith is the only independent distributor ranked among Electronic Business’ top 10 North American distributors.
• Smith's global sales exceed $500 million, a first for any independent electronic component distributor.

2003

• Smith is admitted into US Customs' elite Importer Self Assessment (ISA) program and remains the only electronics company that has qualified to enter this program
• Smith opens office in New York, New York
• Purchasing magazine ranks Smith the No. 1 independent North American electronic component distributor 
• Smith obtains initial ANSI/ESD S20.20-1999  certification

2002

• Smith secures ISO 9001:2000 Certification
• Smith expands Amsterdam Consignment Warehouse June 1 - Allowing up to 150,000 square feet for consignment/excess inventory
• Electronic Buyers' News ranks Smith as the No. 1 Non-Franchised Distributor on annual "Top 50 Distributors" list
• Purchasing Magazine ranks Smith as the No. 1 Independent Distributor on annual “Top Independent Distributors” list

2001

• Smith is named a Top Global Importer by U.S. Customs
• Electronic Buyers' News ranks Smith the Top Non-Franchised Distributor in its "Top 50 Distributors" issue
• Corporate Security division is created
• Houston headquarters expanded to include a warehouse for consigned inventory
• Smith Amsterdam relocated to facility with more space for logistics and inventory and equipped with the latest technological infrastructure
• Smith Barcelona moved into a large facility and more than doubles size of sales and purchasing team

2000

• Smith opens offices in Barcelona, Seoul, Silicon Valley and Guadalajara
• Smith dedicates 15,000 sq. ft. warehouse to handle OEM & CEM consignment/excess inventories
• Electronic Buyers' News ranks Smith the #2 Non-Franchised Distributor in its "Top 50 Distributors" issue 
• Employees number over 250 by the end of the year

The 1990s

• The decade of the ‘90s was one of explosive growth for Smith.
• Smith’s sales grew rapidly.  In 1992, annual sales were $30 million; by 1998, they topped $470 million.   
• The business and electronics industry media began to recognize Smith’s growth and innovation, frequently ranking us among leading companies: 
  • In early 1995 Smith was named to "World Trade 100," a list of the top 100 world trading companies. 
  • The Inc. 500 list of fastest growing companies -- ranked Smith at number 49 in 1997.
  • In 1999 Electronic Buyers' News ranked Smith the #1 Non-Franchised Distributor in its "Top 50 Distributors" issue.
  • Purchasing Magazine ranked Smith as the #1 Independent Distributor.
  • Current Technology magazine listed Smith in its "Texas Top 100," along with companies such as Dell, Compaq, Alcatel and GTE.
• To support our growing customer base, the company invested in facilities and moved into a new 60,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art world headquarters in Houston.
• We also invested in the global infrastructure critical to meeting the needs of global manufacturers.  Smith’s first major international office opens in Hong Kong in 1997 and in Amsterdam in 1999.
• And, by the end of the decade, our online presence was firmly established.  SmithWeb launched and Smith MarketWatch® debuted on the Web.

The 1980s

• In 1984, Smith & Associates was founded by brothers Bob and Lee Ackerley with their spouses, Nora Smith Ackerley and Carmen DalPont Ackerley, in Bob and Nora's home in Houston, Texas.
• The Ackerleys closed their first sale before their fledgling distribution company had a name -- they used Nora Ackerley's real estate company to invoice the deal. The name of that real estate business, of course, was N.F. Smith & Associates.
• By the end of 1984, Smith had grown to 10 employees and leased its first office space
• By 1989, Smith grew to 35 employees and became one of the first US Independent Distributors to focus on buying and selling outside the USA.