Wintek History
Wintek’s 50-year journey is a testament to innovation, community service, and forward-thinking leadership.
As the company looks to the future, it remains dedicated to empowering the communities it serves through cutting-edge technology and community-first initiatives.
Early Innovations
Wintek quickly made its mark in the nascent computing industry of the 1970s. One of its early successes was the deluxe version of the PC-Bus Power Monitor Card, which included an audible alarm. This product was highly popular among networking professionals and computer-repair technicians.
Those materials were used to make microprocessors in the early 1970s. This emerging technology condensed considerable computing power into a comparatively pint-sized package. Many industries could benefit from microprocessor technology but were often limited by in-house computer expertise.
Thus, Wintz — a Purdue University professor of electrical engineering — founded Wintek in 1973 to introduce industries to this innovation with ease and economic efficiency.
Jim Besemer, Harry Chesley, Ward Cunningham, Dennis Leas and Gordon Letwin were the software development team while Jim Wilson, Dan Moss and others worked on hardware. (Letwin later became an initial Microsoft employee while Chesley and Cunningham eventually worked there, too.) Together, this team developed microcomputer boards designed for industrial applications. In time, Wintek would provide a range of hardware, software and services spanning the spectrum of microprocessor applications.
These small chips created big business for Wintek. Soon, the company was selling thousands of modules per year, largely through turnkey, microprocessor-controlled communications systems.
Wintek-powered systems helped to control runway lights at Cincinnati Municipal Airport, mix gases at Matheson Gas, control engine test stands at General Motors and even improve instrumentation at nuclear power plants. In research, Wintek microprocessors helped investigate the control of artificial limbs, the creation of electric automobiles and the corners of the human brain.
By the late 1970s, it was difficult to find a technology titan, manufacturing giant, prestigious university or renowned research institute that didn’t benefit from Wintek products. Here’s just a partial list of Wintek hardware customers from that era:
- The Associated Press
- Bell Laboratories
- Dow Corning
- DuPont
- General Electric
- Hewlett-Packard
- Honeywell
- Marathon Pipeline
- Memphis State University
- Mobil
- Motorola
- Naval Research Laboratory
- Procter & Gamble
- Purdue University
- Rochester Institute of Technology
- Standard Oil
- Stanford University
- TRW
- Union Carbide
- University of Iowa
- University of Massachusetts
- University of Michigan
- University of Washington
- Westinghouse Electric
Creating national renown and providing exceptional service with a small, local staff has been Wintek’s guiding mission since the beginning. By the early 1980s, more than 10,000 Wintek circuit boards, or micromodules, were in use around the nation and the world, with millions of lines of Wintek programs distributed.
A vision for a new decade
Stephen E. Belter, after completing multiple degrees at Purdue University, founded Cyber-Labs Incorporated in 1976 to create custom microcomputer programs and hardware. In 1982, Belter and Wilson acquired Wintek, merging it with Cyber-Labs, and Belter became the president of Wintek. The company further expanded its offerings by developing instructional courses and conducting research for manufacturing firms.
In 1983, Wintek made a significant breakthrough with the launch of smARTWORK software, the first printed circuit board layout program for CAD on IBM PCs. This innovation positioned Wintek at the forefront of CAD technology, leading to a substantial increase in revenue. Wintek also contributed to the programming of the HERO 1 robot, which famously testified before the U.S. Congress.
By 1985, Wintek had expanded its facilities and diversified its CAD offerings while investing in circuit board customization. The company also became a major shareholder in Lynxys, Inc., entering the standardized personal computers market. One of their notable products was the PC-Bus Power Monitor Card, which was popular among networking professionals for its ability to monitor and prevent computer failures.
The Next Evolution: The 1990s and 2000s
Wintek established itself as a leader in technology by embracing persistent innovation and recognizing the potential of the internet early on. In the 1990s, Stephen Belter advocated for internet adoption, demonstrating its importance to the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and securing them as a customer. By 1998, Wintek became the area’s DSL internet provider, offering faster, reliable connections for businesses and residents.
Anticipating future demands, Belter saw fiber-optic technology as essential for its speed and cost-effectiveness. Wintek began experimenting with fiber installations in the mid-2000s, gaining valuable experience. By 2008, Wintek was pitching fiber solutions to local schools and government agencies, reducing their data costs and improving connectivity. This push led to innovative partnerships, like with Tippecanoe School Corporation (TSC), which became one of Indiana’s first to have extensive fiber connectivity. Through collaboration with Tipmont, Wintek ran fiber lines along poles to boost educational outcomes and save schools money.
Staying Strong into the 21st Century
By the end of the 2000s, Wintek had expanded its customer base to include around 50 fiber clients alongside hundreds of DSL users. Under the leadership of Travis Bailey and Oliver Beers, who took over operational control from Stephen Belter in 2009, Wintek crafted a forward-looking business strategy. They focused on growing in areas underserved by other providers, launching a successful test of residential fiber-to-the-home service in Klondike. This initiative led to widespread adoption in nearby areas such as Battle Ground and Harrison High School.
Wintek’s product offerings evolved in tandem with Cisco, expanding into hardware and consultative services for firewalls, VOIP, and more, solidifying its status as a Cisco Premier-Certified Partner. The demand for business solutions grew, prompting the development of a 7,200-square-foot data center to accommodate their expanding colocation services. This facility, completed in 2016, marked a significant milestone in Wintek’s ability to offer robust, high-speed internet and data services to its growing client base.
Joining Forces with Tipmont
Wintek has always been unique in the computing industry, prioritizing community success and reinvesting in initiatives like fiber-to-the-home projects. Although not initially seeking to sell, Wintek found Tipmont to be an ideal partner due to their shared values and community focus. In 2015, Wintek connected Tipmont’s substations with fiber lines, aligning with Tipmont’s goal of offering residential fiber internet service—an endeavor strongly supported by its members.
Ron Holcomb, Tipmont’s president and CEO, initiated acquisition talks, recognizing mutual benefits in combining resources. Unlike typical ISP sales that can lead to service cuts or job losses, the Tipmont-Wintek collaboration aimed to enhance community services. This alignment of missions convinced former owner Stephen Belter of the sale’s merit, leading to a decision favorably viewed by Wintek’s leadership and ensuring continued community-oriented operations.
Still innovating after all these years
In 2019, Tipmont acquired Wintek, significantly accelerating the rollout of fiber broadband across its electric-service territory, with completion expected by 2024. This merger not only expanded fiber access to 6,000 homes and various businesses but also introduced Tipmont to new ventures like consulting and colocation services. The partnership has furthered Wintek’s ability to provide affordable, high-quality connectivity to previously underserved areas, while preserving its founding values of innovation and service excellence.
Travis Bailey, continuing his role as Wintek’s technology and innovation leader, emphasizes exploring new service possibilities, such as offering managed IT services and consultation for other electric cooperatives. Wintek’s ongoing evolution reflects a commitment to creativity and community stewardship, maintaining its legacy of progress and altruism since 1973.
