CITY OF INDUSTRY, CALIF. & MONTGOMERY, ALA. — Acorn Engineering Co., City of Industry, Calif., and Smith Industries Inc., Montgomery, Ala., recently announced a new business alliance and a jointly owned company. Effective June 15, 2010, Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co., a division of Smith Industries will join the Acorn Engineering family of companies, and Acorn Engineering will be a 50% owner of Smith Industries. The name of the company will remain Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co., a Division of Smith Industries Inc.

Jay R. Smith (Smith Industries) and Earl L. Morris (Elmco Sales Inc. and Acorn Engineering) were both modern-day pioneers in the industry and founders of their individual companies. They each developed strong companies and were partners and friends from 1954 (when Elmco became a Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co. representative) until they passed away. The instant relationship and personal bond transcends three generations and continues with the Smith and Morris families.

Jay L. Smith, Don Morris and Don’s brother, Dennis Morris, second generation sons of Jay R. and Earl, have continued their business and personal relationships for more than 50 years. The next generation of Smith’s and Morris’ (Jay L. Smith’s daughters, Holly L. Roth and Debbie Smith, and Don Morris’ children, Kristin Kahle, Randall Morris and Barrett Morris) pledge to continue what their grandfathers started. The Smith and Morris families will be represented on the new Board of Directors.

For the realigned Smith Industries, Don Morris will assume the role of chief executive officer of Smith Industries, Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co. Division and the Canadian subsidiary. Jay L. will continue as president and chairman of the Board of Directors. The management teams of both Acorn Engineering and Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co. will remain the same.