Bob Smith Industries - 2010/11
Byline
Jay Smith [email protected]
Overview
If you've ever shopped for CA (cyanoacrylate) or epoxy at your local hobby shop, you've probably seen and purchased adhesives labeled with the store name. This private branding was Bob Smith's idea. He and his brother, Charlee, along with 11 other employees, are the driving force behind Bob Smith Industries (BSI), which got its start in 1983.
History and origins
Bob and his brother Charlee were exposed to aviation at an early age; their father was a tail gunner on a B-17 during World War II and a private pilot. The brothers were drawn to aeromodeling and R/C in their early teens. Bob became a National Senior Aerobatics (Pattern) Champion and a National Pylon Racing Champion.
Key milestones:
- 1973: Bob and Charlee started Smith Brothers Hobby Center. Bob began producing model kits under names such as P.B. Products and Bob Smith R/C Aircraft. Designs included the Miss BS and the Miss DARA; later Pattern designs included the T-2A and the Patricia.
- After trading eight bottles of glue for one of his kits, Bob decided he could manufacture adhesives and began developing glues.
- 1983: Bob Smith Industries (BSI) was founded. The first product under the BSI name was epoxy sold in 9-ounce bottles, available in 5-, 15-, and 30-minute working times.
- BSI started in Bob's garage and soon moved into its own facility, which now comprises 10,000 square feet.
- 1984: BSI added CA to its product lineup.
- 1985: With business increasing, the Smith brothers sold Smith Brothers Hobby Center. Charlee became sales manager at the newer company.
- 1984–1992: BSI brought all product manufacturing in-house to gain more control. New additions included Insta-Set accelerator and Super-Gold odorless CA.
Product development and innovations
BSI has continually refined its products. Notable improvements include:
- Insta-Set accelerator: reformulated to be safe on any surface and to reduce heat during cure.
- Accelerator cure speed: the speed-up cure time was adjusted from about 4 seconds to about 8 seconds, which cut down on heat and produced stronger bonds.
- Many products are made and bottled in California to ensure freshness; adhesives can reach consumers roughly a week after bottling.
Tips for using adhesives (from Charlee Smith)
Epoxy:
- The key to a good epoxy bond is maintaining a consistent temperature above 70°F throughout the curing time. A temperature around 85°F is optimum for the best bond.
- If your work area is colder than 70°F, use a lamp inside a cardboard box to generate heat.
CA storage:
- The refrigerator is the best place if the glue will not be used for a while.
- Refrigeration alone is not enough because moisture can be a problem. Store CA in a steel or glass airtight container with a couple of silica gel packets to ensure freshness.
Accelerator effect on strength:
- Using Insta-Set reduces joint strength by only approximately 10%, according to Charlee.
Business and distribution
Today BSI has a network of about 1,700 dealers worldwide and bottles tens of thousands of adhesives each month.
- Approximately 80% of sales are to the hobby industry.
- The remaining 20% goes to other markets such as dental labs, shoe repair shops, and aquariums.
Best-selling products:
- Gap-filling CA is the top seller.
- Thin CA is a close second.
- Overall, CA products outsell epoxy by about four-to-one.
Warranty and company stance
BSI stands behind its products with guarantees:
- Three-year guarantee on standard CA.
- Two-year guarantee on foam-safe and toughened CA varieties.
Guarantees apply as long as products are kept at room temperature or lower.
Closing thoughts
Charlee says the most rewarding part of his participation in BSI is being involved in the creation of new products and selling what he helped develop: "I know I am selling the best, and that is very satisfying; it's an ideal job." It takes only a few minutes on the phone with Charlee to realize he is extremely knowledgeable about BSI products and has a great relationship with his dealers.
Contact / Sources
Bob Smith Industries 8060 Morro Rd. Atascadero, CA 93422 (805) 466-1717 www.bsi-inc.com
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
