Founded in 1932 with 33 members, SME was originally named the Society of Tool Engineers. A year later, it was renamed the American Society of Tool Engineers (ASTE). From 1960-69 it was known as the American Society of Tool and Manufacturing Engineers (ASTME). It became the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) in 1970. In 2012, the SME Board of Directors elected to adopt SME as the brand of the organization and therefore discontinue the use of its full legal name, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. The organization is now referred to as SME.
Today, through its many programs, events, magazine, publications and online training division, Tooling U, SME connects manufacturing practitioners to each other, to the latest technologies and to the most up-to-date manufacturing processes. SME has members around the world and is supported by a network of chapters and technical communities. A 501(c)3 organization, SME is a leader in manufacturing workforce development issues, working with industry, academic and government partners to support the current and future skilled workforce. As an unbiased, 501(c)3 organization with an 81-year history of accumulating, validating and sharing manufacturing knowledge, SME is an essential resource for manufacturing stakeholders. Those who engage with SME discover a vibrant, multifaceted community where connections, collaboration and camaraderie thrive. Through its integrated strategic areas — events, publishing, membership, Tooling U-SME online training division and the SME Education Foundation — SME acts as “the solutionists” to help manufacturing stakeholders overcome their challenges with innovative, practical solutions. SME is “Making the future. Together.”