The Story Of Signature Plastics, Creator And Manufacturer Of Keycaps #Keyboards @KbdNews

President Bob Guenser sums up the history of Signature Plastics, creator and manufacturer of keycap profiles like SA and DSA, on occasion of preparing for retirement and searching for buyer candidates.

John Cavers closely watched the evolution of computers from mainframes to minicomputers to microcomputers and quickly realized that, as computers became more accessible and more affordable, a market would develop for keycaps for personal computers.

In 1969 he established Keytronic Corporation in Spokane, Washington. However, Cavers failed to convince his business partners to adopt his insert molding approach, so in 1973 he left the company and started Comptec which grew into the largest independent keycap manufacturer in the world by 1990.

Then the bottom fell out. Within two years, 70% of Comptec’s sales evaporated as Asian manufacturers began to offer low-cost keysets making it impossible for Comptec to compete. Cavers decided to exit the business.

In 2000, the owners approached Bob Guenser about a management buy-out. Guenser strongly believed that there would always be a market for keycaps. He also wanted to preserve the legacy surrounding the 30-year-old keycap business. So, in 2001, he accepted an MBO offer and formed Signature Plastics LLC.

One of the biggest challenges Signature Plastics will experience in 2024 will be a change in ownership as Bob Guenser prepares for retirement and Melissa Petersen, the Queen of Keycaps, contemplates new opportunities outside the world of keycaps. It’s been a great ride, and it’s not an easy decision, but we both feel the time has come to end this journey and move on.

Read the full story on Keyboard Builders’ Digest.