l j smith
L.J. Smith Stair Systems (Novo Manufacturing, LLC) is the largest US manufacturer of stair components—iron and wood balusters, handrails, newel posts, treads, risers, and modern cable/tube/panel systems—serving custom home builders, remodeling contractors, homeowners, and commercial projects through a nationwide distributor network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1891
- HeadquartersBowerston, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What l j smith does
L.J. Smith Stair Systems (legally Novo Manufacturing, LLC) is a US-based manufacturer of stair components and systems, founded in 1891 and headquartered in Bowerston, Ohio. The company operates five locations with four complete stair parts manufacturing facilities and self-identifies as the largest stair parts manufacturer in the country. Its product portfolio spans iron balusters (46 hand-forged designs in six powder-coated finishes), wood balusters (54 designs across 14 standard and custom wood species), newel posts (90+ styles in wood or iron), handrails (40+ profiles across five standard and six premium species), treads and risers, and the Linear Collection of marine-grade stainless steel cable, brushed tube, and metal panel systems. Manufacturing combines CNC machining, metal fabrication for iron balusters, and wood processing, supported by nearly two dozen patents and patents pending, including the proprietary IronPro concealed fastening system and a 450-plus-foot automated wood handrail production line commissioned in February 2024 that doubled handrail capacity.
The company sells primarily through a B2B channel network comprising lumber yards, millwork distributors, and home improvement retailers across the United States, complemented by direct sales to custom home builders and remodeling contractors and a quote-and-sample request interface on its consumer-facing website. Primary customer segments are custom home builders, remodeling contractors, homeowners undertaking DIY projects, interior designers and architects, and a smaller commercial tail including assisted living facilities. Pricing follows unit-based wholesale and B2B terms with volume discounts on large projects; specific pricing is not publicly disclosed. Marketing leverages blog content and installation guides, influencer partnerships (Brownstone Boys, Jean Stoffer Design, Tamara Day), and earned media placements on Magnolia Network and HGTV.
L.J. Smith has been a subsidiary of Novo Building Products, a diversified Zeeland, Michigan-based manufacturing and distribution group, since at least 2020, when the legal entity was renamed from LJ Smith, LLC to Novo Manufacturing, LLC as part of corporate simplification. Growth has been pursued through strategic acquisitions beginning in 1991, ongoing product line expansion (Linear Collection nationwide rollout in 2021, fastener iterations in 2021 and 2022, four new iron baluster designs in 2021, High Point Historic Collection), and capacity investments such as the 2024 handrail line. The leadership team comprises CEO George Judd and President Craig Kurtz, who has also served as Senior Vice President of Manufacturing and has fronted product introductions including the IronPro system.
l j smith firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- l j smith
- Legal name
- Novo Manufacturing, LLC
- Website
- https://ljsmith.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1891
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- L.J. Smith Stair Systems (Novo Manufacturing, LLC) is the largest US manufacturer of stair components—iron and wood balusters, handrails, newel posts, treads, risers, and modern cable/tube/panel systems—serving custom home builders, remodeling contractors, homeowners, and commercial projects through a nationwide distributor network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
l j smith industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Stair Parts Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Custom Architectural Woodwork and Millwork Manufacturing (337212)
- SIC
- Millwood, Veneer, Plywood, & Structural Wood Members (2430), Lumber & Wood Products (No Furniture) (2400)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Stair Parts, Railings & Architectural Woodwork (HSAPAIAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Staircase & Railing Remodeling (Interior) (HSAPAFAF), Stair Treads, Risers & Landing Flooring (HSAPAGAH)
Keywords
Where l j smith is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bowerston
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
l j smith business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Stair Parts Manufacturing and Distribution: The company manufactures and distributes stair system components including balusters, handrails, newel posts, treads, and risers. Products are sold through distribution channels to builders, remodelers, and homeowners nationwide.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Wholesale/B2B pricing through distributors and directly to builders |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
l j smith product offering
Product offeringCore offering
L.J. Smith manufactures and distributes a comprehensive portfolio of stair system components, including wood and ornamental iron balusters, handrails, newel posts, treads, and risers, as well as modern Linear Collection systems (stainless steel cable, brushed tube, and metal panel). Operating four complete manufacturing facilities across the United States, the company serves custom home builders, remodeling contractors, interior designers, and homeowners with both stock and custom hardwood/softwood stair parts.
Product overview
L.J. Smith Stair Systems is the largest stair parts manufacturing company in the United States, operating 5 locations with 4 manufacturing facilities. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of stair components and systems including Iron Baluster Stairs (46 hand forged ornamental styles in 6 finishes), Wood Baluster Stairs (54 designs in 14 wood species), Handrails (40+ profiles across 11 wood species), Newel Posts (90+ options in wood and iron), Treads & Risers (square nosed, false tread, reversible risers), and the Linear Collection featuring Cable, Tube, and Metal Panel Systems for contemporary designs. The company also offers the IronPro installation system for easy baluster replacement and the High Point Historic Collection blending traditional and contemporary aesthetics. Products are manufactured in Ohio with patents or patents pending on nearly two dozen products and processes.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- IronPro: Iron baluster fastener system for easy installation of iron balusters in stair systems, including Level Kit and Kneewall Kit options.
- High Point Historic Collection
- Linear Collection
Products and services
- Iron Baluster Stairs Ornamental iron balusters with 46 hand-forged styles in square and round sizes (1/2" to 3/4"), available in hollow and solid designs with six powder-coated finishes. Targeted at custom home builders, remodelers, and homeowners seeking decorative iron balusters for stair projects.
- Wood Baluster Stairs 54 handcrafted wood baluster designs available in 14 standard and custom wood species, paired with wooden handrails for traditional stair aesthetics. Targeted at builders and homeowners seeking warm wood textures for staircase projects.
- Newel Posts Over 90 newel posts in wood or iron, including turned wood designs, box newels, and iron styles in five powder-coated finishes. Served as anchors of stairways for builders and homeowners undertaking staircase construction or renovation.
- Handrails Wood handrails with more than 40 standard profiles in 8-24 foot lengths, available in five Standard Species (Beech, Poplar, Red Oak, White Oak, Soft Maple) and six Premium Species (Alder, Brazilian Cherry, American Cherry, Hard Maple, Hickory, Walnut), with custom products available in any hardwood or softwood species. Targeted at builders, contractors, and homeowners requiring standard or custom handrails.
- Treads & Risers Stair treads and risers including square nosed treads, false treads, landing treads, plain treads, and reversible stair risers available in various wood species. Targeted at builders and homeowners completing staircase installations or renovations.
- Linear Collection (Cable, Tube & Panel Systems) Modern stairway systems including Cable Systems with marine-grade 316 stainless steel cables and fittings; Tube Systems with brushed stainless steel tubes; and Linear Metal Panel Systems with pre-assembled panels. Targeted at builders and homeowners seeking sleek contemporary stair designs with unobstructed views.
- High Point Historic Collection Stair parts and moulding collection inspired by High Point, North Carolina's heritage, featuring Ashthorpe, Arvato, and Lucent designs that blend Colonial-era charm with modern aesthetics. Targeted at designers and homeowners undertaking historically inspired renovations.
- IronPro System Iron baluster installation system allowing replacement of wooden balusters with decorative iron balusters while keeping existing wooden handrails and newels. Includes IronPro Level Kit for open tread stairways and IronPro Kneewall Kit for kneewall applications. Targeted at DIY homeowners and remodelers seeking simplified installation.
- Concealed Iron Baluster Fastener Fastener for installing half-inch hollow square iron balusters with a clean finished look without adhesives or shoes. Works on open tread stairs, kneewall stairs, and level runs across 25+ baluster styles in six finishes. Targeted at builders, remodelers, and DIY homeowners.
- Accessories Various stair accessories including shoes matching each baluster size, adjustable knuckles for unique patterns, baluster level kits, decorative stair brackets, and iron baluster accessories in six powder-coated finishes. Targeted at builders, contractors, and homeowners completing staircase installations.
Quantifiable outcome
- Double handrail manufacturing capacity with new production line
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use l j smith
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
l j smith technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
l j smith partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Novo Building ProductscoreParent company of L.J. Smith Stair Systems. Novo Building Products is an industry leading manufacturer and distributor of stair parts, mouldings, doors, and specialty millwork. The company rebranded from LJ Smith, LLC to Novo Manufacturing, LLC as part of corporate structure simplification while continuing to operate as L.J. Smith Stair Systems.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
l j smith competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- House of Fara: Manufacturer of stair parts, columns, and architectural millwork including balusters, newel posts, and handrails in multiple wood species. Directly comparable product portfolio serving builder and remodeling channels.
- Feeney Inc. Specializes in cable railing systems and stainless steel architectural railings, directly competing with L.J. Smith's Linear Collection cable and tube systems. Comparable modern-stair and DIY-friendly positioning.
- Viewrail: Designs and manufactures modern stair systems including cable, glass, and rod railings along with floating stairs. Direct competitor in the premium modern stair segment that L.J. Smith targets with its Linear Collection.
- Fitts Industries: Manufactures stair parts, balusters, newels, and architectural components for residential and commercial projects. Overlapping product categories and similar builder/contractor distribution model.
Broad incumbents
- AZEK (TimberTech) - James Hardie: Major building products manufacturer offering composite decking, railings, and trim across a broader portfolio. Competes with L.J. Smith's outdoor-adjacent railing solutions and benefits from scale and big-box relationships L.J. Smith lacks.
Others
- Ornamental Decorative Millwork: Sister company under the Novo Building Products parent, producing decorative mouldings and millwork that pair with L.J. Smith stair parts (e.g., High Point Historic Collection). Adjacent offering rather than direct competitor.
- Empire Moulding & Millwork: Sister company within Novo Building Products that distributes mouldings and millwork through lumber yards and home centers. Provides shared distribution leverage for L.J. Smith but does not itself make stair parts.
- Southwest Moulding and Millwork: Another Novo Building Products affiliate focused on moulding and millwork distribution in the U.S. Southwest. Sister-company relationship rather than direct competitive overlap.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
l j smith social profiles
Digital presencel j smith financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
l j smith leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
l j smith funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
l j smith M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about l j smith
What does l j smith do?
L.J. Smith manufactures and distributes a comprehensive portfolio of stair system components, including wood and ornamental iron balusters, handrails, newel posts, treads, and risers, as well as modern Linear Collection systems (stainless steel cable, brushed tube, and metal panel). Operating four complete manufacturing facilities across the United States, the company serves custom home builders, remodeling contractors, interior designers, and homeowners with both stock and custom hardwood/softwood stair parts.
Is l j smith a public or private company?
l j smith is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was l j smith founded?
l j smith was founded in 1891.
Where is l j smith based?
l j smith is headquartered in Bowerston, United States, in the North America region.
How does l j smith make money?
One revenue line is on record: stair Parts Manufacturing and Distribution.
Who are l j smith's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are House of Fara, Feeney Inc., Viewrail and Fitts Industries. AZEK (TimberTech) - James Hardie is listed as a broad incumbent. Others are Ornamental Decorative Millwork, Empire Moulding & Millwork and Southwest Moulding and Millwork.
Does l j smith have an API?
No public API is recorded for l j smith.
What industry is l j smith in?
l j smith's product category is Stair Parts Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSAPAIAJ, Stair Parts, Railings & Architectural Woodwork, with a secondary code of HSAPAFAF, Staircase & Railing Remodeling (Interior). Its NAICS code is 337212 and its SIC code is 2430.