SME INC OF SEATTLE
SEATTLE, WA

History of SME Inc of Seattle The history of SME Inc of Seattle began in the early 1950s on Mercer Island with Marvich Electric – the company Steve Marvich’s father created and operated for several decades. Like most children of small business owners, Steve Marvich learned the electrical trade the old fashioned way – from his father and on the job. In working with his father Steve learned the electrical trade and, under his guidance, the importance of excellence in his work and in customer service. Working out of his car and garage, Steve slowly grew Steve Marvich Electric. Employees were added, an office building was found and the company branched out to include small commercial electrical projects. But it was in 1992, when Pat Ellwood joined the company, that Steve’s company really began to grow. With Pat’s experience as a former business owner and electrical contractor of JDM Electric, the company expanded to include larger commercial and industrial projects. In 1995-1996, thanks in big part to Pat Ellwood, SME completed its first industrial project for Cardinal Glass in Tumwater, beginning a long-standing relationship that is still going strong today. As the company grew, the number of employees increased to 30 and, for the first time, annual sales topped over a million dollars. At this stage in his business, Steve realized that the name of the company didn’t reflect what it had grown into, Steve Marvich Electric was no longer a one-man company. In 1994 SME Inc of Seattle was formed. Soon after incorporation, SME created a fire alarm division called Systems West. In 1997, another former owner of an electrical company, Don Faulkner of Premier Electric, joined the SME team and brought most of his talented staff with him. Don also brought in SME’s largest client, Schnitzer Development, adding another lasting business relationship. The company now employed 40 people and annual sales rose to $5 million. Steve focused on sales, which contributed nearly a third of the company’s total volume. It was at this time SME Inc hired Adam Pinsky as CFO to run the business side of the operation. SME’s alarm division, Systems West was spun out into a separate company in 2003, creating . During the same year SME also launched its service division. From 1997 to 2008, SME Inc of Seattle steadily grew. In 2008 the company reaching its high point employing 150 people, generating $42 million in sales and completing its largest project in its history, the Advanta Office Commons, a Schnitzer project with Microsoft as the tenant. By 2009 the recession was in full force and like most construction companies in the United States, SME Inc was hit hard requiring the company to downsize. While the construction industry paused, the renewable energy field was beginning to heat up. Realizing the need to diversify, SME created SME had substantially recovered from the downturn by 2014 and brought on Gene Quenneville as its new Operations Manager. Gene’s skills would bring higher efficiency and operational discipline to the company and Gene assisted in opening up the commercial TI (tenant improvement) market for the company. By continuously focusing on the company’s strengths, while capitalizing on diversification and growth opportunities, SME has successfully weathered the recession’s storm. Today company sales have rebounded to $20 million annually and now employs almost 100 people. As SME Inc of Seattle continues to develop a new generation of leaders, the company is poised to move successfully into the future. How We Do Business We value safety above all else at SME. We believe when training of our employees in ongoing practices of work safety, we provide the foundation for excellent customer service and a caring, respectful employer/employee relationship. By keeping our employees and the work environment safe, we protect our work force, our customers and our bottom line. ), fall protection, asbestos and silica awareness and ladder safety, is conducted annually. Additional training for unique hazards specific to a project is provided on an as needed basis. “Insisting on safe work practices demonstrates the respect we have for our employees and provides the highest level of service to our customers.” – Company Values – SME Inc of Seattle Our relationships with our employees, our communities, and our customers are what differentiates SME Inc of Seattle from our competition. These relationships are built on the following core values: At SME, we believe that safe work practices provides the highest level of customer service, is in the best financial interest of our company, and is a demonstration of our respect for each other. Integrity is being honest and forthright in our dealings. We are responsible to ensure that our actions match our words. Trust is having confidence in another s character, expertise, and abilities. We earn and reaffirm this trust everyday on every project, and with each interaction we have with employees, customers, and the community at large. Our customers and employees rely on us to help them be successful now and in the future. Trust is the foundation upon which we build strong relationships with customers, employees, and communities. Ryther serves nearly 2,500 children, teens and young adults in Seattle, Bellevue, and Mukilteo. They provide comprehensive services and treatments for youth who face complex challenges. Through guidance, coaching, and teaching, children and families learn new ways of thinking, develop positive relationships, and realize a better life. Founded in 1885, Ryther now has over 200 professional care and support staff to carry out these important services to our community’s children. Washington Business Week SME Inc of Seattle has been a sponsor of Washington Business Week since 2007, and has contributed many volunteer hours for both judging student projects and acting as a company advisor during the Construction Week Program.