Smith & Co. developed its initial line of epoxy products in 1972 for use in the recreational marine marketplace to remediate rot damage in wooden boats. The starting market was the San Francisco Bay region, but increasingly Smith & Co. epoxy products have been used over a wide area including specialized outlets as far away as western Europe. The standard consumer grade is marketed under the trademark name Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer, also referred to as CPES. In the early 1980's, founder Steve Smith noticed that local building inspectors were purchasing his product to restore deteriorated wood in their own homes. It was also clear that the product improved the long-term adhesion of varnish, enamel and latex paints to wood. This led to the development of several new products specifically formulated for architectural applications while retaining the formulation principles which made his product uniquely successful in the more severe marine environment. Seasonal modifications to the various formulas were added to maintain consistent performance in weather extremes. As the architectural market began to grow, fillers and compatible coatings were added to the product line.