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.
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.
Our Values
People
Our team is what makes us special
PASSION
From our hearts and minds, demonstrated through our actions
PRIORITY
We put the customer first, everyday, in everything we do
PARTNERSHIP
With each other, our customers and our suppliers
Life At SMG
Our Culture
