A Brief History of Kentek®
Or Wherefrom Laser People?

Founded in 1983

Kentek Corporation was founded in 1983 by Mike Toepel, a Raytheon laser engineer, with an initial purpose of optimizing performance of solid state laser systems which were rapidly increasing in power and complexity. Introduction of ZAP-IT® Laser Alignment Paper, the company’s very first product, heralded the appearance of a unique company known as Kentek®. The tagline adopted as the company’s motto, “Laser People Helping Laser People®”, announced a spirit of cooperation, a serious focus on service, and a desire to build a like-minded community of adventurers in the world of lasers.

The company name, which has withstood the tests of time, and which is now recognized by laser users in more than 100 countries around the world, is not symbolic. Mike’s view of marketing included a simple name that began and ended with the same letter and which did not specify too closely the products it represents because, at its founding, there were multiple paths Kentek could follow. There was no “Ken”. But there is plenty of “tek”. Kentek is acknowledged for steady introduction of new products and product improvements based on emerging technologies.

Kentek Catalog 1996

Kentek Catalog 1996

Expansion: Laser Safety, Tools, Components

In 1987, Kentek separated into two divisions: “Components for Lasers” and “Laser Tools”. The “Laser Safety Division” emerged in the early 1990s as the company recognized that all laser users needed laser safety products, a revelation that greatly expanded the company’s market scope and, unbeknownst to its founder, laid the foundation for impressive sales growth as well as new product introductions, especially during the most recent 15 years of its history.

Kentek’s reputation for product excellence became known worldwide in its earliest years. Its first recorded sale for export was in 1988 for $88.50 in laser replacement parts shipped to a company using lasers for manufacturing industrial equipment in Taiwan. Since then, customers in the U.S. and many other countries have employed products from Kentek. In a single recent year, Kentek shipped products to 45 different countries.

Through the 1990s, Kentek continued to grow steadily: laser flash lamps, upgrades for Raytheon laser cavities, custom built pump chambers for solid state lasers as well as an expanding line of laser safety products that drove in new customers, and boosted sales. The company moved several times: from the humble basement of a small house in 1983, to a slightly larger house in 1989, and then in 2001 to another larger house with 2 attached barn structures that were modified in 2005 to accommodate manufacturing operations.

Kentek’s First Trade Show:  CLEO 1989

Kentek’s First Trade Show: CLEO 1989

Turn Of The Century

In 2000, Mike brought Tom MacMullin into Kentek as its second President and General Manager. In the first years of the millennium, Tom brought on board the now-defunct, but fondly missed, laser eye protection products from GPT/Glendale. These products embodied the best of laser safety technology. As Kentek identified new applications, GPT would develop new products for eye protection. Together the two companies began to build a more solid and technology-driven foundation for laser safety.

Around 2002, the fledgling line of fabric-based laser safety barriers now marketed worldwide as FLEX-GUARD® was developed, tested, and broadened. These low and mid-power barrier products provided a great option to Kentek’s EVER-GUARD® all metal laser barriers. Lighter in weight and slightly lower priced, FLEX-GUARD® has become a trusted global standard for fabric laser barrier applications. Kentek has continuously improved these monolithic products for increased laser powers and additional attributes including flame retardance and decorative appearance.

Letter to Tom MacMullin, January 2001

Letter to Tom MacMullin, January 2001

Expansion: Laser Safety Training

In 2009, Kentek partnered with Laser Professionals Inc. to begin offering laser safety training services. The course materials and experience levels of the two principals of LPI, Johnny Jones and Pat Harris, a.k.a. Laser Johnny and Laser Pat, added new knowledge and capabilities to Kentek’s laser safety product lines. In 2012, Kentek solidified this relationship through formal acquisition of the company.

By 2011, Mike Toepel was ready for a more significant change. The company was sold to its President, Tom MacMullin, who today remains its sole owner and very active Chief Executive Officer. In 2013, Kentek purchased a modern 16,000 square foot industrial building that serves as headquarters and from which all products are shipped. More than 95% of Kentek products are manufactured in the U.S.; much of the remainder are built from U.S.-sourced components provided by Kentek. Kentek supplements its impressive production capabilities with services by partner companies in the close-knit region of central New Hampshire.

PHOTON1 in 2017 – Catalog on Wheels

PHOTON1 in 2017 – Catalog on Wheels

Today: USA and Worldwide Presence

Today the company employs approximately 40 people. Kentek has recruited and trained a formidable team of laser safety experts. U.S. sales locations include New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Florida, Ohio, Oregon, New Mexico, and California. Distributors of Kentek products serve customers locally in many countries throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific. We have grown substantially in size but have not changed in spirit: we remain the “Laser People Helping Laser People®”, sprouted from the seeds planted by our founder so many years ago.

DSS Exhibition (SPIE) 2016

DSS Exhibition (SPIE) 2016

 

1983

Kentek Logo 1983

1998

Kentek Logo 1998

2005

Kentek Logo 2005

2016

Kentek Logo 2016

2019 Staff Uniforms

Kentek Staff Uniforms Logo 2019

2019 LaserSmart™ Marketing

Kentek LaserSmart™ Marketing 2019
 
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