The Beginning

Born and raised on the New Hampshire seacoast, Mike Smith came to the Big Apple in 1971 in search of the excitement and opportunities the city offered for an ambitious young salesman. His first job as an apprentice with a manufacturers' rep agency earned him a mere $81 weekly salary. It wasn't much at first, but he knew he was on his way to making his dream a reality.

Mike made due by living in a rooming house and dining at the corner hot dog stand. His goal from the beginning, was to build a successful career as a manufacturers' rep. So he embraced his new territory in the rough neighborhoods of New York, worked 24/7, and established great relationships and accounts selling fasteners.

The eleven years he worked for McCormick Associates gave him the field experience and education he needed to open up his own company. So, in March of 1982 with the help of friends and family, Mike started Smith Associates in a small apartment located in northern New Jersey.

He learned early on in his life, that a good businessman needs to be honorable and ethical. This methodology worked in the long run, but slowed the growth process in the beginning. Mike vowed he'd never take a line away from another rep, so he declined the many calls from manufacturers offering to switch their lines and sign with him.

So he waited, patiently and proudly... and then it took off. Wrought Washer Manufacturing of Milwaukee, Wisconsin was one of the first lines Mike represented, followed by Dayon Spring Manufacturing of Farmington, Connecticut.

The business grew, and the apartment with dad's rolltop desk was no longer adequate enough to house the demands of a growing company. He soon thereafter opened a new office with a staff in Hackensack, New Jersey.

As Smith Associates grew and selling trends changed, Mike made a difficult and eventually fortuitous decision to focus on the distribution market. Armed with stubborn Irish integrity, he vowed not to betray his customers and chose not to concentrate on OEMs. This gained the unflappable trust of his customers: the distributors. Add to that the patriotic alliance with domestic manufacturers, and Mike became carefully aligned with the top producers of each product line: Wrought Washer and Vulcan Steel Products, to name a few.

As any successful salesman knows, the marketing decisions and sales policies created early on become the foundation for a company's growth and survival. The next 15 years of growth increased Smith Associates' lines and geographical regions. Five major industries including structural, electrical, military, aerospace and industrial are offered in both the New York Metropolitan and Mid-Atlantic regions.

Mike's formula for success has not only put kudos on his wall and dollars in his pocket, but it has increased the bottom line for many manufacturers, as well. Inviting the challenge of handling a brand-new line, Mike has contributed to the development of business for many companies. Principals like Trihex, TurnaSure, and Screws Industries praise this outstanding rep company for driving their sales into new territories and uncharted industries.

With distribution company sales increasing by the millions, the demand for representation had necessitated the expansion of our existing territory into New England. After years of substantial successes in New England, our principals as well as our customers have seen unprecedented growth on multiple operational facets.

"Communication does not mean computerization." The professionals at Smith Associates believe in the old fashioned ingredient of personal contact, supported by the facilitation of automation. Think it's not possible? Ask the millennial on our team. Corey Magyar, a bright and talented young man with years of sales knowledge, a business education, and the drive to succeed in a rapidly evolving world, is looking forward to building his career and reputation, and is excited to offer his assistance at every opportunity.

All of us at Smith Associates thank our loyal principals and customers for all your faith and support over the years.

Get in touch

We at Smith Associates know that finding the right manufacturer for your product requirements is a choice not to be taken lightly. That’s why we will work with you and walk you through your needs, the scope of your goals, and your budget.

let’s chat ▸

Corey Magyar

Tech Savvy Young Blood

Fully embracing the new era of doing business in a digital world, Corey has helped bring Smith Associates up to speed with a fresh outlook and new insights. Experienced in entrepreneurship with a multitude of other talents from many industries, Corey is able to bring together aspects from each to help mold Smith Associates into the agency of the future.

Michelle Sellaro

An Added Perspective

Hardworking and driven, Michelle Sellaro is excited to become part of the Smith Associates team. Michelle comes with over ten years’ experience in fastener distribution working in every department. With a wide range of skills, she adds a fresh perspective on current market trends and necessities of end users, and comes with a vast knowledge base of product lines. Moving from distribution to working side by side with manufacturers, she is eager to become a positive and vital part of Smith Associates’ future.