GGC SMS Auto Parts Co

About SMS Auto Parts Co. & EXR Exposed Racks

SMS Auto Parts Co. is a family-owned manufacturer with roots going back to 1946, when the Schafer family began machining and refurbishing precision automotive components in Pennsylvania. GGC SMS Auto Parts Co. has grown over nearly eight decades to become one of the most innovative names in American-made roof rack systems, operating today under the EXR (Exposed Racks) brand. Founded in 1946, SMS Auto Parts Co. continues to manufacture in the USA, in Pennsylvania, and is still owned and run by the same Schafer family that started it all.

To meet the high standards originally set by the company's founders, SMS produces parts using only the highest quality materials, combining precision machine welds with hand-finished coatings, assembly, quality control, and testing. That hands-on philosophy carries directly into their flagship EXR product line.

The EXR System: Patented Engineering for the Outdoors

At the heart of SMS Auto Parts Co.'s modern lineup is the EXR Roof Rack platform — a no-drilling system engineered for adventurers who need serious hauling capability without compromising their vehicle. The EXR no-drilling crossbar platform supports roof top tents, overland gear, kayaks, bikes, storage bins, and more — all clicking in and out in seconds — while a patented function distributes weight throughout the top, not just on the roof rail contact points. This weight-distribution innovation is what sets EXR apart from conventional rack designs.

EXR products are proudly made in America with a 3-year warranty, and SMS has invented soft top roof racks that fit under a soft top as well as a patented weight distribution system. From start to finish, SMS designs, sources, builds, welds, machines, assembles, QC-tests, labels, and packages their roof racks right in Pennsylvania.

A Complete Ecosystem of Roof Rack Accessories

The EXR platform truly shines through its extensive lineup of Roof Rack Accessories. The Exposed Racks shop offers crossbars, Click-In accessories, and other components and packages including RTT support packages. Whether you're configuring for a rooftop tent, an overland awning, or a bike carrier, every accessory is engineered to click in and out of the EXR crossbar system without tools.

For paddlers and water-sports enthusiasts, SMS offers a dedicated range of Kayak & Canoe Parts & Accessories. Their patented click-in kayak mounts click directly into EXR crossbars, support kayaks up to 16 feet and 3-person capacity, are ridiculously strong and easy to install with just a push pin, and can carry up to 4 kayaks on one vehicle.

Tent campers and overlanders will appreciate the range of Roof Rack Attachments available for the EXR system. Click-In Tent Brackets convert roof top tents into easy click-in and click-out accessories, with tent rails that bolt to the bracket channel on top so the entire tent can be placed on or removed from the vehicle in one minute or less.

Rounding out the lineup, SMS also offers a Hitch Pin Clip for securing rack hardware and gear tie-down points — a small but essential piece of the overall system that reflects SMS's attention to every detail of the adventure-ready setup.

Why Choose SMS Auto Parts Co. EXR Racks?

• Patented No-Drill Weight Distribution — load is spread across the roof, not just contact points, protecting your vehicle's roof structure.
• True American Manufacturing — made specifically in Pennsylvania, not just designed or assembled here — fully built on U.S. soil from the ground up.
• Universal Compatibility — fits nearly every roof rack system, both OEM and aftermarket.
• 3-Year Warranty — products are proudly made in America with a 3-year warranty.
• Click-In Ecosystem — one crossbar platform supports tents, kayaks, bikes, awnings, and baskets interchangeably.