Samtec

In 1976, Sam Shine started a small electronic connector company in New Albany, Indiana. This wasn't a venture-backed startup from Silicon Valley; it was a company built from the ground up by Shine, who initially handled everything from manufacturing to shipping. The company, Samtec, focused on a simple but powerful idea: providing excellent service to customers of all sizes, from small outfits to large corporations needing products quickly. This commitment to what they call "Sudden Service®" became the company's DNA. While other companies focused on volume, Samtec built its reputation on flexibility and customer support, offering free samples and rapid lead times. This strategy allowed the privately held company to grow steadily without outside funding or an IPO. Instead of chasing quarterly results, Samtec adopted a long-term perspective, a move enabled by its private status. Over the decades, Samtec expanded from a small operation into a global manufacturer with over 40 locations and annual revenues surpassing one billion dollars. The company grew by staying true to its core, coupling its service model with investments in innovative technology for high-speed connectors, cables, and optics. Rather than a splashy IPO, Samtec's major moves have been strategic acquisitions, such as the 2021 purchase of Ultra Communications, to enhance its capabilities in fiber optics for specialized industries. Leadership eventually passed from Sam to his son, John Shine, who continues to run the company with the same foundational principles.