Founded by Sylvester and Helen Smith in 1950 as a small welding supply company, S. J. Smith Welding Supply has grown from a single store front, three person business, to a Tri-State, 13 location business. The company has since expanded into safety and industrial supplies; high purity specialty gas manufacturing; welder repair; resistance and spot welding; and welder training. S. J. Smith developed its welder training program to help educate, certify and upgrade its manufacturing customer base. S. J. Smith Welding Supply maintains its corporate office in Davenport, Iowa.