When Bob Dunlop took the reins at Smithers Laboratories, he could have rebranded the company, but he chose not to. Recognizing the strong brand recognition and trust built by Vernon Smithers, Bob understood that Smithers Laboratories had established a reputation both locally and internationally for scientific accuracy and customer service. Vernon’s legacy of trust and integrity was key to the company’s success. From the moment Bob became owner, his focus was on upholding and building upon this trusted brand to continue the company’s growth.
The rise of faster cars in the 1940s, coupled with the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, which led to the construction of the U.S. interstate system, highlighted the need for tire innovations. As car speed increased, so did tire wear, and tire-related accidents were becoming a significant issue, with fatalities rising from 26,000 in 1944 to over 36,000 in 1954. Smithers Laboratories, already renowned for tire testing, became integral to identifying the causes of accidents by examining tires from wrecks. As the tire industry grappled with new challenges, Smithers strengthened its reputation as a tire-testing authority, often serving as expert witnesses in legal cases.
By the 1950s, Smithers labs were outgrowing their original location on Cherry Street. With the Akron area undergoing revitalization, Bob decided it was time for a move. In 1963, the U.S. Army offered the former Army Reserve Center at 425 Market Street for just $1. The new location provided more space for the growing company, and today, it houses Akron Labs, Tire Service, and Product Testing service lines, continuing the tradition of trusted scientific testing that Vernon Smithers started with his Tire Report in 1925.
While Bob Dunlop was leading Smithers through these changes, another company, Hochschwender & Associates, was beginning to grow. Founded by Herman Hochschwender in 1959, the company had built a reputation for relationship-driven customer service and consultative expertise, working with many Fortune 500 companies. By the mid-1960s, Hochschwender had established a presence in Europe, but like Smithers, was struggling with profitability.
In 1972, Bob and Herman agreed to merge their companies, combining the technical expertise of Smithers with the marketing and consultative skills of Hochschwender. The result was the formation of Smithers Scientific Services in 1973. The merger opened new horizons for the company, which expanded its services to include testing in areas such as flammability, motor vehicle safety, and fire-retardant coatings. The company also branched into microscopy, plastics testing, and product development, significantly broadening its scope beyond its tire-testing origins.
In 1973, shortly after the merger, Vernon Smithers passed away. His son Ted wrote a touching tribute, remembering Vernon as a self-made entrepreneur who overcame numerous obstacles to build Smithers Laboratories from the ground up. Despite having limited capital, Vernon’s belief in his business and his unyielding work ethic were key to its success. Ted reflected that his father’s creation of Smithers Laboratories had exceeded all expectations, becoming a trusted source for tire companies worldwide.
The 1970s brought significant global and technological changes. The end of the Vietnam War, the rise of Margaret Thatcher, and the beginnings of Apple and IBM’s technological revolution were just a few of the events shaping the world. For Smithers, the focus remained on growth and diversification. As the automotive industry continued to evolve, Smithers faced new challenges but also opportunities. Over the next decade, the company would need to expand its services, enter new industries, and explore international growth.
Smithers would continue to navigate through the changing landscape, all while remaining committed to the principles of customer service and scientific accuracy that Vernon Smithers had instilled. Even as the company’s focus expanded globally, the foundation laid by Vernon’s tire-testing legacy remained a key pillar of Smithers' ongoing success.