About Us
Our Story
SDS Industries was founded by Scott Shannon, Brittany Gabel, and Matt Quantz. The three met while studying at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Shortly after graduation, Brittany opened a glass studio and gallery in Western Massachusetts and received her first glass kiln. However, she was utterly perplexed about how to actually begin firing. She read through the controller manual several times before turning to Scott, hoping he could help her figure it out. Several hours later, and with enough head-scratching to wear a bald spot, they finally figured it out. Still, this initial struggle led the two to identify an opportunity to help others in the heat treatment industry. Matt joined the team shortly after that, and the team’s mission to create a more user-friendly, intuitive, and technologically updated kiln controller was born.
SDS Industries launched the first TAP Kiln Controller in 2015 – the first commercially available consumer kiln controller to utilize an intuitive, graphical user interface. A year later, SDS Industries launched the first iteration of the TAP Kiln Control Mobile app a major innovation in kiln control technology that allows users to monitor and operate their kiln from their smartphone or tablet. In 2022, SDS Industries released the TAP II Controller, an advanced single-zone kiln controller that included integrated WiFi and an updated UI. Then, in 2025, we phased out the original TAP Controller with the TAP II Pro – the new gold standard in multi-zone kiln control technology.
SDS Industries is dedicated to continuous innovation and improvement. Through each new iteration of our TAP Controller and TAP Kiln Controller Mobile app, we strive to provide the features and ease-of-use we would want for our own kiln firings! With the releases of the TAP Monitor Digital Pyrometer, TAP Micro, and the TAP&Go Single Setpoint Controller, the TAP Ecosystem is more accessible for more artists than ever before.
We fully believe the best is yet to come for SDS Industries!
Meet the Team
Scott Shannon | President
Scott graduated in 2010 from the Rochester Institute of Technology with a degree in Electrical Engineering Technology. Since then, he has attained over a decade of Program Management experience while working for General Dynamics and the US Navy.
Scott has a career background in Budgeting, Contracting, and Program Execution. Furthermore, he has skills in Technical Program Management, including System and Subsystem level requirements development, component, subsystem, and system-level design, integration, and testing. His favorite part about being involved at SDS Industries is the chance to work on complex technical issues while helping out and getting to know some of the wonderful people who use the technology.
In his spare time, Scott enjoys traveling, sailing, and cooking.
Matt Quantz | VP, Engineering
Matt is a Rochester Institute of Technology graduate with over a decade of professional experience designing sensor and actuator platforms. He has a career background spanning a breadth of industries including industrial temperature control and refrigeration, building automation, surface transportation control, and most recently, card readers and electronic payment processing for arcade games.
At SDS Industries, Matt is responsible for hardware, software, mechanical, and electrical engineering. His favorite part about being involved at SDS Industries is seeing all the incredible creations customers make using TAP controllers.
Matt enjoys playing pinball, reading, traveling, gardening, and the Buffalo Bills in his spare time.
Brittany Gabel | VP & Chief Creative Officer
Brittany holds two Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees, one in Glass and Glass Sculpture from Rochester Institute of Technology and the second in Graphic Design from Savannah College of Art and Design. She also has a certificate in UX/UI Design from George Washington University.
At SDS Industries, she focuses on all things marketing, design, and user experience/user interface. She is passionate about learning, giving back, and solving complex problems. Her favorite part about being involved at SDS Industries is coming up with new ideas to make it easier for end-users to utilize TAP products to the fullest.
In her spare time, Brittany enjoys spending time with her family, especially her adorable English Bulldog, Captain Riggs. She also enjoys traveling and is a multi-disciplinary artist who enjoys working with various mediums.
Captain Riggs | Marketing Assistant
Captain Riggs loves adventures, spending time with his humans, lounging in the grass under the sun, and making sure everyone at work has a good time. Sometimes he can be a bit of a distraction, but we don’t mind!
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