Smith-Root: Powering Innovation in Aquatic Science

They say there are plenty of fish in the sea—but for scientists and conservationists, knowing exactly which fish are in a body of water, and how they’re doing, is critical. That’s where our client Smith-Root comes in. From electrofishing to cutting-edge eDNA (environmental DNA) tools, this industry pioneer has been innovating for more than 60 years to help researchers around the world study fish populations with precision and care.

Co-founders Dave Smith and Lee Root started the employee-owned company in 1964. They partnered with the University of Washington on ways to safely capture and monitor freshwater fish for research, tracking and conservation. The duo became early pioneers of electrofishing, a technique that uses controlled electrical currents to temporarily stun fish for safe capture and study.

Electrofishing offers several benefits for fisheries scientists, such as monitoring fish populations and health, helping to prevent invasive species (such as Asian carp) from taking over native populations and supporting responsible sport fishing practices.

Smith relocated the company to Vancouver, Wash., in 1972. Smith-Root continued to innovate with electrofishing technology, developing a product line that includes electrofishing backpacks and fully integrated boats.

Today, Smith-Root remains an industry leader serving government agencies, universities and fishery scientists around the world—including the U.S., Canada, Australia, Japan and many others.

In recent years, they’ve redesigned their electrofishing equipment to include real-time data collection of the electrofisher’s inputs and outputs while displaying details on a color LCD screen with GPS mapping (previously manually entered). The downloadable data is available in the field or the office in seconds via USB.

They’ve continually been ahead of the curve in reinventing and expanding their product line to address emerging needs. Beginning in 1990, they developed electric fish barriers to gently guide or block fish movement in freshwater streams and waterways, a technology that is used to protect sensitive ecosystems. And in 2017, they launched an eDNA backpack that takes water samples that are used to detect fish and other aquatic species.

Smith-Root Chief Financial Officer Curtis Kirkham says the company’s always-innovating approach means they’re continually developing new tools to meet the moment—and the market. “Over the last 60 years, conservation has taken a huge step forward,” said Curtis. “We’re always looking to develop new technologies and products we can provide to fish biologists to support their efforts.”

As Smith-Root has grown and evolved, so has their relationship with Banner Bank. “Banner has been a very good and valuable partner for us,” said Curtis. “We really appreciate the one-stop support Banner provides for the company.”

Beyond being on the forefront with industry-leading tools and technology, Smith-Root’s enduring success can be tracked to something simple—the small but mighty team of 40 cares deeply about their customers and their mission. “We have a lot of employees with many years at the company,” said Barbara Stern, Chief Governance Officer. “They continue to put a lot of time and heart into making us successful.”

Adds Curtis, “We have the best customer service in the industry,” he said. “Our products aren’t the cheapest, but they’re the best.” Once a client purchases equipment, they are offered a free online or in-person class to train them on how to effectively and safely use the equipment. “Much like Banner Bank, we go above and beyond to take care of our customers.”

“It has been a pleasure to work with Smith-Root over the years and watch them evolve,” said George Martin, SVP and Senior Commercial Relationship Manager. “They lead the way in their industry and we’re proud to be their bank.”