Smead Manufacturing Company was founded in Hastings, Minnesota in 1906. Charles Smead began the company with one product, The Bandless File, and six employees. Acquired by the Hoffman family in 1916, the company is now in its third generation of family ownership, and has been a woman owned business enterprise since 1955. From Bandless Files to SuperTab folders, Smead has spent the last century keeping office workers organized.

In 1989, Smead realized it could have a great impact on the environment by diverting used paper from landfills and reusing it in the manufacture of filing products. Ever since, every paper product Smead has made has contained post-consumer recycled material. Hundreds of Smead items meet or exceed the progressive requirements used by government agencies and corporations when choosing earth-friendly office supplies.

For over a half-century, women have guided Smead along an incredible path of success in a traditionally male-dominated manufacturing industry. Pioneering women's entrance into the boardroom, the mother-daughter team of Ebba Hoffman and Sharon Avent have helped blaze a trail for future women-business owners with their high ideals, achieving unparalleled growth, success and environmental stewardship. Under their direction, Smead has become a global industry leader.

Smead has been certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council in partnership with the Women’s Business Development Center – Chicago, the California Public Utilities Commission, State of New York, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency, AMTRAK and the City of St. Paul.