Creating long-term scalable production

Robert and Dell Smith started in the manufacturing industry as kids, working with their father at his part-time machine shop in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

In the late 1980s, Robert helped take the business to full-time operations, where they first experienced 5-axis and mill-turn technology. The Smiths recognized the need for standard operations – whether tooling, controls, or systematic procedures – which led to an exponential growth of more than 100 team members.

In 2015, they sold the company and six years later, started Smith & Co. in Birmingham, Alabama.

“In April of [2021], we had an opportunity to start with a blank sheet of paper and build a company the way we wanted to,” Smith & Co. CEO Robert Smith says. “Everything we chose was based on years of know-how and the lessons learned.”

With 40 years of experience and fostered relationships, the Smiths leaned into a systematic, automated approach to the new company.

They first met with HERMLE at IMTS 2018. After decades of research and investigation, the brothers waited for the right opportunity to invest, and when they did, they went all in.

“We heard such good things about the HERMLE platforms, the machines, the repeatability, the accuracy – basically, the stability of the machine,” Robert says. “With HERMLE machines, it’s an investment… but we look at it as an investment for the long-term.”

Making parts from aluminum, titanium, alloy, and more – the Smiths harness processes and use high-quality machines and automation technology to their maximum capabilities.

From probing and tooling to programming and automated pallet handling, they leaned into HERMLE technology – so much so, Robert’s team won’t purchase other machines.

“We have predictable quality at this point. We’ve had zero problems with service or maintenance,” Smith & Co. COO Dell Smith says. “They operate, they communicate, pretty much flawlessly. The only milling machines we purchase will be HERMLE.”

The machines hold tight tolerances, and their automation can run seamlessly, so, according to Dell, the team works fewer hours, resulting in minimal to no turnover.

“I think they’re a very straight-forward, simple, easy machine to operate – to be honest with you, compared to some other machines I’ve run in the past,” Smith & Co. engineer Stryker Moffat says. “I think the way someone worded it was ‘do one thing but do it well.’”

Following their initial investment in 2021, Smith & Co. has since expanded operations, currently running two C 250 machines, two C 400 machines, and one C 400 with the HS flex pallet handling automation technology.

Smith says easy installation and integration were largely due to HERMLE’s consolidated machine and technology offerings, providing 5-axis solutions.

Three years later, the brothers are now producing complex machine parts for the defense, medical, and commercial industries, 24 hours a day, 5-to-7 days a week.

HERMLE USA Inc.
https://www.hermleusa.net
2025 SHOT Show Supplier Showcase Booth #52021 & 55803 

Smith & Co.
https://www.smith-al.com