Built for Learning
Learning is not a “one-size-fits-all” thing. The same goes for the furniture that supports it. We’ve seen how the right tools can help spark inspiration for teachers and students. Because of this, we’ve never strayed from our focus.
Our Story
Back in 1905, Smith System® was a different company than we are today. We built heaters for one-room schools. And then water fountains – and lavatory systems. It was a simple mission – to keep kids warm, hydrated and clean, so they could focus on learning. But we soon discovered that, beyond those basic needs, there were other ways we could help. The more we worked for schools, the more we saw an ever-evolving environment that needed a furniture maker to nurture the change. So, we stepped in.
What’s cool is that our original purpose never stopped guiding us. We still come to work every day to serve the “one-room schools.” Because in reality, every student learns a little differently, every teacher teaches a little differently and every classroom needs a unique solution.
We believe (with a heck of a lot of passion) that every student and teacher deserves the best possible space to inspire learning. And that’s what led us to what we are today: A company designed to deliver on the needs of education better than anyone else in the industry.
What teachers do day in, day out, flat-out humbles us. And we believe the right tools have a seriously positive impact on them. For us, those tools are seats, desks, commons areas, storage units, and anything else that inspires better learning. Flexibility, versatility, comfort, style. It all matters. Because at the end of the day, it supports one cause. To enable the genius inside every student.
And because of that, we don’t make K-12 furniture as part of what we do.
It’s the only thing we do.
What We Believe
Quality shouldn't have to come at a steep price.
Every school wants the best learning environment for students. But there are a rare few with the resources to pay top dollar to obtain it. And, frankly, we don’t think they should have to. That simple belief has transformed us into obsessive tinkerers who spend a lot of time improving the way we work so that our customers can get high-quality furniture at reasonable prices.
Service should be a given.
To be honest, it’s surprising to us how indifferent our industry can be when it comes to service. And we’re on a mission to change that. No matter the activity, we promise durable, purposeful furniture designed for our customers’ needs. And we do whatever it takes to deliver it accurately and on time. Put an extra period on the end of that statement.
There’s power in partnership.
A lot of people weigh in on outfitting learning environments. And why wouldn’t they, given the size of the investment and duration of the impact? We’ve found that working together with dealers, designers, and school systems results in what’s best for the school, teacher, and student. Smart people working together to solve a problem leads to better outcomes. And, it’s what makes coming to work everyday fun.
Design with kids in mind.
Kids have growing bodies and expanding minds, and they deserve the educational spaces to match.
Our furniture is for them, and them only. No office hand-me-downs here.
