If you were playing your guitar today or if you heard a song with someone else playing a guitar, there is a pretty good chance Ken-tron Mfg., Inc. was involved.  Since the early 1980s, Ken-tron has been a major supplier of music string wire, primarily for guitars.

Until recently, most of this wire was known as wrap wire.  This is the wire that is wound around another wire to make strings used on electric guitars, acoustic guitars, electric bass guitars, pedal steel and other musical instruments.  Most commonly this wire is nickel, nickel plated steel or stainless steel for electric guitars or brass, bronzes and copper alloys for acoustic guitars. Read more »

as reported on 1490womi.com

Congressman Guthrie visited Ken-tron Mfg., Inc. yesterday as promised. It occurred on the first national “Manufacturing Day,” as declared by the National Association of Manufacturers.

“Having worked at my family’s manufacturing business, I understand the challenges our small business owners are facing today,” said Congressman Guthrie. “I really appreciate Ken-tron allowing me to tour their facility today and learn more about their concerns including the threat of tax hikes, changes to health care and the need for affordable energy.” Read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Guthrie today visited Ken-tron Mfg., Inc. on the first national “Manufacturing Day,” as declared by the National Association of Manufacturers.

“Having worked at my family’s manufacturing business, I understand the challenges our small business owners are facing today,” said Congressman Guthrie. “I really appreciate Ken-tron Mfg., Inc. allowing me to tour their facility today and learn more about their concerns including the threat of tax hikes, changes to health care and the need for affordable energy.” Read more »

Rick D. Thompson has been promoted to President of Ken-tron Mfg., Inc.

Thompson joined the company in 1987 as quality control manager. He has held various management positions within the company with his latest being executive vice president. Read more »

Ken-tron Mfg., Inc. is pleased to announce our certification to AS9100:2009, Rev. C and ISO 9001:2008. Ken-tron’s product line includes small diameter precision wire in a variety of alloys, as well as progressive die, transfer press and multi-slide metal stampings.

This certification update continues the history of recognition for our products and services. Ken-tron first became ISO certified in 1995, and later became AS certified in 2005. Read more »

As appeared in Messenger-Inquirer
July 2010

50 & Still Flexible
By Joy Campbell

In June of 1960, Bob Hudson was looking for a summer job to help him finish his last year at Western Kentucky University. His new wife, Patsy Miller Hudson, had a job. The couple had met at the Bowling Green business college that is now part of Western.

Hudson landed a job at a small company then-called Kentucky Electronics. The 23-year-old never left. And in 2001, he became sole owner of the Owensboro company now known as Ken- Tron Manufacturing Inc.

In June, the plant’s 67 employees celebrated the 50th anniversary of a company that has stayed the course through recessions and morphed several times as technology and product markets have changed. Read more »

As appeared in Manufacturing Today
September/October 2006

Ken-tron Mfg., Inc. – Metal Stampings and Wire
Changing with the Times
By Stephanie Sims

For more than 45 years, Ken-tron Mfg., Inc. has provided metal stampings and wire to it’s customers around the world. That is one thing Rick Thompson, senior vice president, says he is proud of, noting that Ken-tron’s customer list is a Who’s Who of Fortune 500 companies.

This past June marked the company’s 46th year in business. In 1960, Erskine Precision Wire, a small wire company, moved from Pennsylvania to Owensboro, Ky. and changed its name to Kentucky Electronics (KE). According to Thompson, the first few years were a struggle for the company; it didn’t have a lot of revenue and experienced losses monthly. A turning point came in 1962, when Texas Gas Transmission bought controlling interest in KE, providing needed capital. Read more »