
K-Tec Systems
Company was founded
Women-owned Business
Named one of the Michigan 50 Companies to Watch
Initial Situation
“Technology is changing everyday life”. With more customers purchasing lower quality items online than from a distributor, Cathy Koch saw a need to shift the company’s focus away from distribution services and transform it into a manufacturing facility. As a manufacturer, it allowed her to better serve the ever-changing needs of the customers, providing high-quality and reliable products so K-Tec Systems reputation gives it a competitive advantage.
How the SBDC helped
With more than 35 years of experience, Cathy was referred to the Michigan SBDC for assistance with
transitioning the company from distribution to manufacturing. Working with several SBDC business
consultants, they did an operational needs assessment, reviewed management and financial systems,
obtained marketing research, looked at best practices for manufacturers, considered Lean Manufacturing
processes, and more.
Success
After years of being a distributer, in late 2017, K-Tec Systems moved into a new facility and launched their
manufacturing operations providing efficient and reliable pressure, test, flow solutions, and test equipment for
the automotive, aerospace, and food industries. The company’s powerful story, tenacious leader, and
innovative thinking has helped K-Tec Systems to evolve from a single vision into a manufacturer that is
continuing to thrive and make waves in the market.
During the past 30 years Cathy Koch has turned many life challenges into great success. It started after the
birth of her daughter, when she returned to work and found out that her position was no longer available. Later
she took a position with the company’s top competitor. Within a year, though, she decided to be a mom first
and figured out a better way to balance motherhood and work.
In 1989, Cathy combined the skills she learned as a teenager working in her father’s travel trailer business and
her professional marketing and sales experience to launch K-Temp Control Systems, a manufacturers’
representative resource for wire, infrared sensors, and silicon-controlled rectifiers.
Cathy believes that the best way to improve the company and solve the customer issues is by spending time at
their facilities and learning their needs. As technology, delivery systems, and the needs of her customers
changed, she adapted and refocused the business. In 1995, she transitioned the business away from being a
manufacturer representative to a full, non-stocking distributor and expanded into Ohio serving customers in the
chemical, food, and aerospace industries. Another change came in 2008 when Cathy renamed the business
to K-Tec Systems, Inc.
Since 2015, Cathy has worked with a team of business consultants from the Michigan SBDC. The team of
consultants advised her of a new customer base and helped Cathy to review strategic plans, management
systems and operations, Human Resource processes, and financial management systems. Through their
work, the team helped her to develop a management system and organizational chart to help the company
move into manufacturing.
“The value of the resources and education I received from the SBDC have been beyond priceless,” says
Cathy. “They helped us implement the best practices and hire the right talent to build a solid foundation for a
manufacturing company.”
In addition to working with the Michigan SBDC, Cathy credits the company’s success to the resources and
support she also received from Lawrence Technology University, Ann Arbor State Bank, and Oakland County
Economic Development and Community Affairs, and to the training from Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small
Businesses Summit and Michigan Economic Development Corporation Economic Garden Program.
In late 2017, Cathy moved the company to a new building, hired more people, and launched a manufacturing
facility. Her vision to change the way manufacturing is viewed has allowed her team to empower their
customers to achieve greater accuracy, efficiency, and cost savings across their operations using data-driven
technology. K-Tec Systems serves customers across the automotive, aerospace, food, and chemical
industries as a manufacturer, global distributor, and engineering integrator of temperature sensors, wire
harnesses, and control systems.
K-Tec Systems was named one of the 2017 Michigan 50 Companies to Watch, and the 2018 Best Small
Business for the Michigan SBDC Southeast Region and one of the 2018 SmartZone Best Small Business
Honorees.
Read more about K-Tec Systems at www.k-tecsystems.com.
- All
- Advanced Tech Companies
- Growing Companies
- New Ventures

The Craft Loft of St. Clair
Read More
Bar Down Creations
Read More
Sunrise Bliss
Read More
Landmark Taphouse & Grille
Read More
OCBA Landscape Architects
Read More
Golden Choice, Inc.
Read More
Fortitude Children’s Therapy
Read More
Ty Gray-El
Read More
Blue Fish Early Learning Center
Read More
White Pine Furniture
Read More
Clicktivated
Read More
IndividuALLytics
Read More
Micro-Lam
Read More
Intecells, Inc.
Read More
Mackinac Technology Company
Read More
Life Magnetics
Read More
Greenmark Biomedical
Read More
Global ET
Read More
Esperovax Inc.
Read More
Celant
Read More
ATLAS Space Operations
Read More
AKTV8
Read More
Bedestrian
Read More
House of Pariah
Read More
Kelly Osborn
Read More
The Butters Hygienics Co.
Read More
Commonwealth Sewing
Read More
Presidential Brewing Co.
Read More
Ed Rehmann & Sons
Read More
INTVO
Read More
Tetra Therapeutics
Read More
Root Functional Medicine
Read More
Bob’s Butcher Shop
Read More
ellembee
Read More
Guided Life, LLC
Read More
Barrel + Beam
Read More
Growing Years Christian School & Child Care
Read More
Heart of Michigan Cafe
Read More
Akervall Technologies, Inc.
Read More
Inhabitect, LLC
Read More
Massman Trucking, Inc.
Read More
Midtown Fresh Market
Read More
Feast Gourmet Kitchen
Read More
Saddleback BBQ
Read More
K-Tec Systems
Read More
Chateau Chantal
Read More
Mid Michigan Upholstery & Awning
Read More
Our Family Friend
Read More
Trenary Home Bakery
Read More
Bark Busters
Read More
Kiss Me Specialty Coffee Shoppe
Read More
Legacy Metal Services
Read More
Ogemaw Pharmacy
Read More
Care Granted, LLC
Read More
Sandlot Sports
Read More
Soil Friends
Read More
Piper & Gold
Read More
Press on Juice
Read More
Roz’s Diner
Read More
Balance Massage Therapy
Read More
Chiquitos Bilingual Montessori
Read More
Cheryl Stevens Studio
Read More
All Dogs Can
Read More
Blarney Stone Broadcasting
Read More
Morris Lawn Care & Snow Removal
Read More
Green Glove Dryer
Read More
Supermercado Mexico
Read More
AureoGen Biosciences
Read More
Flint Podcasting Company
Read More
Witch’s Hat Brewing
Read More
Bon Bon Bon
Read More
Smart Bottoms
Read More
Detroit Kid City
Read More
Mountain Town Brewing Company
Read More