SMC Gear

Quality gear for Life. These four simple words speak volumes about Seattle Manufacturing Corporation, our products and people. Since being founded in 1967, the single driving force behind SMC has been the creation of climbing and rescue equipment that is reliable, simple, and secure. We know that every day there are lives depending upon the quality and reliable performance of our products in what are often the most demanding conditions and critical situations. Experienced climbers and rescue personnel around the globe know that they can always count on SMC products.

In the beginning the concept was quite simple.to bring aircraft industry standards of quality to the design and manufacture of mountain climbing equipment. Since then, the SMC name has become synonymous with equipment that is expertly designed and manufactured. We are one of a mere handful of manufacturers of both mountaineering and technical rescue that are ISO 9001. Rigorous monitoring of materials and processes are an essential part of our ISO program. We've gone to great lengths to identify the requirement to consistently produce quality products. Further time and effort is expended to establish, implement and monitor quality procedures to meet these demands. In order to be an ISO 9001 company our complete Quality Assurance Program is third party certified and regularly monitored by SGS Systems and Services Certifications. Regular audits are performed insuring that we continually meet the rigid ISO standards that guarantee our Quality Assurance Program.

Another facet of our Quality Assurance Program is the use of this website to communicate with our customers. We place a high value on comments and feedback from our customers and so we've created an email address specifically for that purpose. A link to that email address is located on the CONTACT page of this website.

In December 2001, SMC left its birthplace Seattle behind, and relocated to our brand new custom-designed facility in Ferndale. There were lots of issues tied to our old facility that were keeping us from staying at the forefront of manufacturing for the mountaineering and rescue markets. The decision to move 100 miles to the north involved a lot of work, but the mountains of the North Cascades seemed to guarantee a better quality of life for our employees as well as an inspiring backdrop for product design. Every day we gaze upon the majestic Mt. Baker, that is when the ubiquitous Pacific Northwest rains do not hide it.

Not only do we have more space at the new facility, but also we've designed the layout to facilitate the process of manufacturing efficiently. We are constantly adding new machines that improve our processes, and that allow us to exercise the creativity necessary to solve existing needs and develop new ideas. Great effort has gone into the development of many long-lasting strategic alliances with like-minded companies and individuals. These creative and dynamic relationships continue to build upon the already strong foundation of our nearly 4 decades of excellence. SMC's home in Whatcom County places us in an area rich with people who care about the work they do as well as appreciate the environment they work in. Now more than any other time in our company's history has we been more excited and encouraged by the progress we see and the vision we share for the future of SMC.