ABOUT US

2004

In 2004, upon completing college, Kevin took a trip to Hong Kong and China. After a serendipitous meeting with a Chinese national, whom he hired, Kevin founded Smartrend Canada Ltd. To fund the single-person operation in China, Kevin worked as a business development consultant for two Manitoba companies while delivering pizza at night. In the years to follow, Kevin brought on several local manufacturing customers and built out his teams in China and Canada.

2013

In 2013, Kevin would be joined by his wife, Cam Quan-Smith. Cam immediately made an impact by growing the customer base and taking a leadership role.

2017

In 2017, Kevin identified a need within the pupil transportation industry to improve critical school bus safety signage.  Determined to increase safety in the school bus industry, First Light Safety Products was formed. Since then, First Light has filed and been granted over 20 patents for its disruptive industry changing products that would set the new standard for enhanced visibility of the words “SCHOOL BUS” and “STOP”.

2023

Today, to accurately capture its capabilities, the company’s name has been officially changed to Smartrend Manufacturing Group (SMG), Inc. SMG has evolved into a vertically integrated and value-added engineering-centric organization focused on supplying custom product solutions made in multiple countries for companies across a wide range of industries.

  • PEOPLEOur team is what makes us special
  • PASSIONFrom our hearts and minds, demonstrated through our actions
  • PRIORITYWe put the customer first, everyday, in everything we do
  • PARTNERSHIPWith each other, our customers and our suppliers

LIFE AT SMG

We enjoy what we do, who we do it for, and the team we do it with. It’s not just about building a business. It’s about working with companies and people who like to work with us and manufacturing and supplying products that make a difference.