About

History

Dr. Smith
It all started with a clever chemical engineer, a desire to help those in need, and the tumultuous Cold War years. It was the early 1960's when Dr. Robert Smith (Doc), formerly of Mead Johnson, developed a solution capable of removing fallout from the skin during the Cold War. Doc's unique solution, named Tecnu® for "technically new", was initially sold in 5-gallon buckets as a bomb shelter staple; fortunately, it was never needed!

Fast forward a few years later when Doc's wife, Evelyn, accidentally discovered that Tecnu worked to remove the rash-causing oil (urushiol) from poison oak plants. Poison oak ran rampant around the Smith's house and Evelyn finally had enough when the kids' rashes became more and more frequent after playing in the yard; she took to the backyard barehanded (despite her sensitivity to the plants), and pulled out every poison oak plant. When the job was done, she went inside and washed up with a bottle of Tecnu Doc had left by the sink. Several days later, she was shocked when there were no signs of rash, especially considering terrible reactions she'd experienced in the past. Evelyn began telling friends and neighbors, and news of the cleanser's ability to combat poison oak oil spread quickly.

As time went on, an unlucky event lead to Tecnu's early success. Doc and Evelyn's son, Steve owned his own janitorial business, and one day, while up on a ladder cleaning the outside of a bank, a kid passing by on a bike misjudged the distance between himself and Steve's ladder, and BAM! Several broken bones and a lengthy hospital stay later, Steve opted for a career change and decided to see what he could do with his Oregon State Business degree to grow the Tecnu business. Even though over 40 years have gone by and we have since outgrown the garage, we are still the same Oregon-born pharmaceutical manufacturer with a love of the outdoors, and the desire to make quality products that help outdoor enthusiasts combat poison oak & ivy, insect bites, sunburns, and more! 

Culture

Over the years, Tecnu has cultivated a special recipe that makes our company a great place to work, and has always put our family-like culture at the forefront of the business. Employees are interviewed for can do, will do, and fit. Can they do the job? Will they do the job? Are they a fit for Tecnu? We believe that by hiring an individual for fit (cheerful, smart, and hardworking), and providing them with the right tools and training, that they are capable of great success, both as a member of a team and as an individual! At the heart of our culture are trust, respect, joy, and a spirit of enthusiasm, and each and every employee is tasked with embodying these values and traits.

INNOVATION & CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

Our goal is simple: to create innovative products that help our consumers solve a problem. Our team continually strives to find new and better ways to not only meet, but to exceed the needs and expectations of our consumers. We vow to stay on the path of advancement without losing sight of who we are at our core: a driven group of individuals with a desire to help others, whether they be outdoor adventurers, gardeners, athletes, moms, dads, or all of the above!

Tecnu Rewards & Recognition

A division of Quest Products LLC
Oregon Business Magazine 2023 Best Companies to Work For

Tec has been an
Oregon Top 100 Employer
for 15+ years

We ranked 3rd as a medium-sized business in 2018
When we hit 12 years on the list, we were inducted into the Oregon Business Magazine's Hall of Fame for small businesses
Great Place To Work Certified badge
In 2018 we were
certified as a
Great Place to Work
Oregon Business Magazine Best Green Places to Work

Oregon Business Magazine has also selected us as a Top 100 Best Green Company

Quest Products
This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website.
Oregon 100 Best Green WorkplacesGreat Place To Work Certified badge100 Best Companies of 2023
©2024 Quest Products LLC | 1-800-482-4464 | 7100 Tecnu Way SW, Albany, OR 97321
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