Our Story
SSK History
SSK has evolved from humble beginnings into an international enterprise partnering with the world’s most essential skydiving brands. Our commitment remains unchanged since 1983: we are focused on safety, dedicated to precision, and proud to play a major role in the distribution and maintenance of unparalleled skydiving tech.
Humble Beginnings
From Grassroots to Global Enterprise
SSK began in 1983 when three friends – Steve Stewart, Cliff Schmucker, and Jerry Kautz – turned a piggyback concept into a revolutionary one-pin rig: the Sweethog. Working from a shack at their home DZ, Skydive Cincinnati, they iterated quickly and, in 1987, launched the Sweethog XN – the first rig of its kind tailored to smaller-framed skydivers. The Sweethog was retired in 1997, but its design principles continue to shape harness and container system design today.
Parallel Lines
The Meeting of Great Minds
During the same period, German engineer Helmut Cloth introduced a breakthrough in skydiving safety: the Cybernetic Parachute Release System (CYPRES), a reliable electronic AAD.
Helmut’s connection with Cliff quickly grew into a partnership that shaped the industry. By 1993, SSK was appointed the official U.S.-based sales and service center for CYPRES (Airtec). Four years later, SSK moved from its DZ shack to a multi-building campus in Lebanon, Ohio, equipped with maintenance and test systems identical to those at Airtec headquarters.
Paradigm Shift
The Formation of SSK Military Industries
Early recreational skydiving relied on military surplus gear, but CYPRES catalyzed a reversal: sport-driven innovation drew military interest. SSK led extensive joint testing with the U.S. Army and other branches; after validating CYPRES reliability, it was approved for full military use. In 2003 SSK Military Industries, Inc. was established to support the military.
Along the way, SSK engaged in adjacent programs. These included supporting LB Altimeters’ tactical instruments and, soon after, collaborating with MS Safety on the ParaTrack HAHO GPS device as well as offering their lineup of X-Shut products. Since the mid-90s, we have designed and manufactured VR simulator frames and hardware used for PARASIM, which is developed by Systems Technology, Inc.
SSK Today
Setting the Standard
Today, SSK Industries services and integrates advanced-technology systems and equipment. We are one of only two global sales, service, and support centers for CYPRES, and we provide sales, service, and support for X-Shut Attachment Systems across the Western Hemisphere and beyond.
At the helm is Adam Schmucker, who owns SSK Industries and SSK Military Industries and serves as president of the enterprise. Himself an accomplished skydiver and an SSK fixture since the company’s earliest days, Adam returned to Lebanon after college to work under Cliff and assumed leadership following his father’s untimely passing in 2013.
Adam serves as Vice President of PIA (Parachute Industry Association) and as a trustee of the International Skydiving Museum & Hall of Fame.
That’s just the cliffnotes! Check out our timeline for more about SSK.
