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Smith & Richardson Acquires Roberts Automatic Products, Expanding Capacity and New Capabilities

GENEVA, Ill., January 19, 2023 — Smith and Richardson Inc. (S&R), a leading contract manufacturer of precision machined parts and chaplets has completed an acquisition of Roberts Automatic Products Inc., in Chanhassen, Minnesota.

Established in 1921, Smith & Richardson, Inc., is a global ISO 9001certified manufacturer of precision machined parts to original equipment manufacturers in aerospace, casting machinery, medical device, transportation, and firearms/sporting products markets to name a few.

Established in 1947, Roberts Automatic Products is a leading producer of precision parts, specializing in CNC Swiss, CNC Mill Turn, CNC Multi-axis and Multi Spindle Screw machining. The company is ISO 9001 certified, ITAR registered, JCP DD 2345 Approved and holds an FFL6 Federal Firearms License.

The acquisition doubles Smith & Richardson’s size and adds milling and Swiss depth to S&R’s existing capacity, as well as adding new multi-spindle production to S&R’s offerings. Additionally, Roberts’ modern 50,000 square-foot manufacturing facility will continue operations and all employees will be retained, including an extensive sales force.

“Our mission is to be part of our customers’ ongoing success and to continue to add value. The acquisition enables us to bring more capacity, location diversification, and new, complimentary resources to serve more of their overall precision machining needs,” said W. Richard Hoster III , President of Smith & Richardson Inc., on completion of the acquisition.

The combination of the two companies brings together 178 years of manufacturing expertise, and advanced manufacturing expertise including JIT, Kanban, blanket orders, and build-to-ship.

Smith & Richardson – 100 Years of Mastering Change

November 2021 – An article in Production Machining Magazine spotlighting Smith & Richardson’s 100 year anniversary featuring co-owners Rich Hoster and Phil Cowen

Rich Hoster Receives PMPA Frank T. McGinnis Merit Award

October 2021 - Rich Hoster was the proud recipient of The PMPA’s (Precision Machined Products Association) prestigious Frank T. McGinnis Merit Award at the Association’s recent annual meeting.

Smith & Richardson Wins VIA Spark Award for Innovation

Smith & Richardson received the Valley Industrial Association’s Spark Award for Innovation at the Association’s April 28th awards presentation event. Smith & Richardson talked about the use of its cross functional teams to analyze the competitive landscape, listen to the voice of the customer, and innovate its processes to exceed customer expectations.

Smith & Richardson - Surviving COVID-19

September 2020 - A feature article Q&A with Rich Hoster, president of Smith & Richardson, in Production Machining Magazine

Precision Machining Company is All in On Ventilator Parts

August 2020 - A feature article in Design-2-Part Magazine

Emerging Leaders Transform Their Organizations

July 2020 – A special feature section in Production Machining Magazine spotlighting Renee Schroeder – Smith & Richardson VP of Operations

Our Industry Responds

June 2020 – A feature article in Production Machining Magazine

How Champions Can Develop a Thriving Workforce

June 2020 – A feature article in Production Machining Magazine

Spark Awards Valley Industrial Association

March, 2018
Smith and Richardson Inc. was awarded the Spark Award from the Valley Industrial Association for their outstanding efforts in regards to career awareness. Through their extensive tour program and involvement in career day visits, they have open the eyes of hundreds of students to the world of manufactoring.

PMPA Member Smith & Richardson Manufacturing Finds Success in Employee Training and Equipment Investment

November 2017 – A feature article in Production Machining Magazine

Ideas at Work - PMPA

Member profile: Smith & Richardson

April, 2008 — A Featured Article in Production Machining magazine.
Smith and Richardson Inc. was recently honored by Production Machining magazine with an article about our company, our current activities and dedication to our customers. The article highlights our expanding capabilities and use of PMPA's network to further our knowledge of lean manufacturing and expanding our Asian initiative.

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Is Your Business Too Small To Be Lean?

Implementing "Lean" at Smith & Richardson

October, 2007 — A Featured Article in the MRA - Institute of Management Journal
By Bill Bonham, Training Specialist

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Award Pictures

Pictured from left to right – Rich Hoster, Renee Schroeder, Ron Brown, Steve Braun, Tom Terpening, Nathan