Company History: Nine Decades of Electronics Industry Service
KKB & Company's founding in 1931 positioned us at the dawn of the modern electronics age. From vacuum tubes to today's nanometer-scale semiconductors, we've witnessed and participated in every major wave of electronics industry transformation over the past 90+ years.
Early Years: The Vacuum Tube Era
Our company emerged during the vacuum tube era when electronic components were large, power-hungry devices primarily used in radio broadcasting and early communications equipment. The electronics industry itself was nascent, with manufacturer representation models still taking shape.
Those early decades established our fundamental business philosophy: serve as a trusted technical bridge between component manufacturers and equipment producers. This model proved remarkably durable, adapting successfully through subsequent technology generations while maintaining its core value proposition.
The Transistor Revolution
The invention of the transistor in 1947 and its subsequent commercialization fundamentally transformed electronics. According to the Computer History Museum, this innovation launched the semiconductor age that continues to drive technological progress today.
As discrete transistors and early integrated circuits replaced vacuum tubes, we evolved our technical competencies and manufacturer partnerships to support this new technology. The shift required our team to develop new expertise in solid-state physics, semiconductor characteristics, and emerging circuit design methodologies.
The Integrated Circuit Age
The 1960s and 1970s saw integrated circuits grow from simple logic gates to increasingly complex microprocessors and memory devices. This integration trend dramatically increased circuit density while reducing costs, enabling new applications from pocket calculators to personal computers.
Our manufacturer partnerships evolved to represent leading semiconductor companies developing these revolutionary products. We helped regional OEMs navigate the transition from discrete components to integrated solutions, providing technical guidance through this industry transformation.
Microprocessor Era and Digital Revolution
The microprocessor's introduction in the early 1970s fundamentally changed electronic product architectures. Systems that previously required hundreds of discrete logic chips could now be implemented with a microprocessor running software, shifting design emphasis from hardware to firmware and software development.
This shift required manufacturers' representatives to develop new competencies in embedded systems, development tools, and software integration alongside traditional analog and power management expertise. We invested in technical training to ensure our team could support customers through this architectural transition.
Modern Era: Connectivity and Integration
The past two decades have seen unprecedented integration of functionality within individual semiconductor devices. Modern system-on-chip (SoC) solutions combine processing, memory, connectivity, and specialized functions in single packages that would have required entire circuit boards in earlier eras.
Simultaneously, wireless connectivity has become ubiquitous, with WiFi, Bluetooth, and cellular communications enabling the Internet of Things revolution. We've adapted our product portfolios and technical capabilities to support these connected device architectures that define modern electronics.
Serving the Heart of America
Throughout our history, we've maintained focus on serving manufacturers across the central United States. This regional concentration allowed us to develop deep relationships and market understanding while providing the specialized attention that local presence enables.
Our longevity reflects not just business continuity but successful adaptation through multiple technology transitions, economic cycles, and industry consolidations. The electronics sector has changed dramatically since 1931, yet the fundamental value of technical expertise and trusted relationships remains constant.
Industry Leadership and Professional Standards
Our membership in the Electronics Representatives Association demonstrates ongoing commitment to professional standards and industry best practices. This affiliation provides access to industry education, market intelligence, and peer knowledge sharing that strengthens our capabilities.
The manufacturer representation model has proven remarkably resilient because it aligns incentives between component suppliers and equipment manufacturers while providing specialized technical expertise that would be difficult for individual manufacturers to maintain internally.
Looking Forward
As we continue into our tenth decade, emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, edge computing, and sustainable energy systems create new opportunities for electronic components and the expertise to apply them effectively. We remain committed to evolving our technical capabilities and manufacturer partnerships to serve these emerging applications.
Our history provides perspective on industry transformation while our current focus delivers the technical support and component solutions customers need today. We invite you to explore our current product lines and the diverse markets we serve.