Northwest Aerospace News August | September Issue No. 10 | Page 53

IDAHO AEROSPACE ALLIANCE SPOTLIGHT
L
ike many successful businesses,
EPC had its beginnings in the garage
of its founder. A native of Sandpoint,
William (Bill) Watt obtained a degree
in electronics after a stint in the Coast
Guard. While working in the elec-
tronics industry, in 1969 he invented
a novel cube-shaped version of what
was, at the time, an emerging piece of
technology: the rotary encoder. EPC’s
production in Sandpoint began in 1973
and has remained in the area.
Rotary encoders are electromechanical
devices that convert the rotary motion
of a spinning shaft into electrical sig-
nals. This enables a receiving device
to determine the speed and direction of
rotary motion. In the late 20th century,
computerized control of automated
machinery entered a phase of tremen-
dous growth, and EPC followed suit
with widespread adoption of its unique
products. Today EPC offers a broad
range of encoders that are produced
in facilities in the U.S., the U.K., and
China, and by a technology licensee in
India.
One of the keys to the early success of EPC was its commitment to complete
customer satisfaction, no matter how big or small the customer. According to
Business Development and Key Accounts Manager Steve Dilts, “EPC’s celebrat-
ing its 50th anniversary this summer. The same values that were established on
day one still carry on today and contribute to our success. When customers call,
they’re routed to a live person who’s ready to help in any way possible.” Accord-
ing to Dilts, “We provide a reliable, quality product that
is delivered on time and backed by the company. It’s
no accident we have encoders still working in the field
after 10, 20, or 30 or more years of continuous duty.”
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