Smith Bates History

Founded in the early 1920s, SmithBates Printing & Design is one of Oregon's oldest commercial printing companies.

In nearly a century of service, SmithBates has built a reputation on quality printing, meeting deadlines and excellent customer service.

"Around the turn of the century, a Wisconsin man arrived in Southern Oregon, who was shortly destined to become a most important figure in local business, civic affairs and politics," according to the Mail-Well Dealer [Sept, 1946], published monthly by the Mail-Well Envelope Company, Portland, OR.

W.O. Smith arrived in Klamath Falls when it was still known as Linkville, an undeveloped town. After a stint in the lumber industry, he was approached to edit a weekly newspaper, The Klamath Falls Republican, which had 5 competing papers in a community of 3,000 people. He was a State Representative for two years, sponsoring laws that are still the basis of the State of Oregon printing department regulations. In 1912, he sold the paper but retained the commercial printing company, building a model printing plant in downtown Klamath Falls. Shortly after establishing the W.O. Smith Printing Company, he added a partner, B.W. Bates, changing the name to SmithBates Printing Company.

Remarkable growth as SmithBates ensued after securing business throughout Southern Oregon and Northern California from the mill and logging industries. After the death of Mr. Bates, Otto Smith [no relation to W.O. Smith] was hired to work in sales. Otto and his wife, Mildred, had moved to Klamath Falls from Oregon City. He later took over the business. Also involved in the company were their daughter Phyllis Smith-Cavanaugh and her husband Barney. They successfully ran it in the 1960s and 1970s.

After graduating from Oregon State University, their son Dan Cavanaugh returned to Klamath Falls and became a partner in the business. He has been a partner and owner for more than 30 years and now runs the company with his wife Ann. Business growth in the early 1990's led to an expansion of production facilities in 1996 to house a new Heidelberg Speedmaster and the latest in imaging technology. Then, in late 2007, SmithBates merged all facilities to our current 20,000 sq ft building overlooking Klamath Lake and put on line our Heidelberg 6 Color Speedmaster with in-line Coater.

At SmithBates we are proud to be a locally owned and family operated business serving the needs of our community for three generations. From our humble beginnings, our focus has never changed.  SmithBates Printing and Design today continues to meet customers exacting demands through the use of cutting-edge technology and meeting the challenges of a rapidly changing commercial world. We are proud of the hardworking traditions set by the many dedicated employees and family members over the years.