Michigan PWB fabricator creates legacy.(Brief Article)(Company Profile)

In today's world, where people tend to float from job to job, exploring several "careers" during their lifetime, it's always refreshing to hear about those tenacious souls who remain devoted to one industry. Earl Kincaid, founder of K&F Electronics Inc. (Fraser, MI), has spent thirty years in the PCB industry--an accomplishment on any scale. Like many who have succeeded in this industry, hard work, a drive to learn, and a bit of luck all played a role in Earl's later accomplishments.

Kincaid's first job was with a photography shop looking to enter the high-tech market, but in 1955 there wasn't much equipment available on the market. He would scrub panels by hand, and coat with KPR to expose the images. He recalls that the first etcher he worked with was what he called a "paddle etcher."

After gaining some experience, Earl was offered a job with Cinch Graphics if "I could get myself to California." He set off westward in his '61 Chevy with $100 in his pocket. He got as far as Chicago before the car broke down. Fixing the problem cost him $60 and a little time. Without missing a beat, Kincaid decided he needed a job before he could get to California, so while the car was being repaired, he used the gas station restroom to change into his suit, and set off to find a job. He applied at Methode Electronics where Bill Migenly hired him. While at Methode, he worked on what was called the "Remington ...