Located off the beaten path in the far northwest corner of Washington State, we’ve alway been a little outside of the mainstream: obsessively high standards, one-of-a-kind manufacturing processes, and outside-the-box think
In 1964, Dennis Brown, retired British soldier, elite athlete and natural-born inventor, bought a fledgling custom orthotic lab and immersed himself in the field of orthotics and set out to reinvent how they could be made.ert
In 1974, Dennis invited renowned expert and biomechanics pioneer, Dr. Chris Smith from the California College of Podiatric Medicine to be his partner. Chris’ well-regarded credentials gave NWPL instant credibility, and his knowledge of the foot’s function proved invaluable in new product development.novations
Using knowledge gained while working with carbon fiber, NWPL created a new top-tier product with a combination of fiberglass and graphite, called Superglass®. Out-of-the-box thinking established proprietary advancements in production resulting in a thinner, lighter and stronger custom orthotics.
The Comedian
In the mid-90’s Jerry Seinfeld called the lab looking for help. So impressed after traveling to the lab to have his orthotics made, he encouraged them to use his story. An ensuing friendship landed Dennis, Chris and their wives with invitations to a number of Seinfeld shows, including an appearance in the final episode! y hold m
The Future
NWPL is an orthotic lab synonymous with out-of-the-box thinking, the relentless pursuit of revolutionary ideas, materials and technology, and exceptional customer care. This innovative spirit demands constant improvement of a dedicated team who, through years of specialized training, know orthotics like nobody else.
Northwest Podiatric Laboratory carries a deep sense of pride in its origins and ability to help people – employees, healthcare professionals and patients – today, and for generations to come.
“You always have to be looking for new ideas and innovations and you have to do it right, don’t cut corners. That’s what we’ve been doing for all these years, and that’s what made us successful.” Chris Smith, DPM – Former Vice President and Founding Medical Director
