Locations
Kelkom Systems was started on 1 March 1974, by David J. Kellems, with an initial personal investment of $7,000. The purpose of the manufacturing business was to market light signal systems (visual paging and status systems) to the dental and medical market in California, and later to the continental U.S.
Marketing the product began as direct sales to the end user, dentists and physicians, by contacts made at state dental medical conventions, and by customer referral. After the company became well known in the Western states, further growth required organized dealer support.
Marketing techniques were, and still are, the biggest challenge to the company. However, after selling direct, spawning a competitive company, then attempting to sell wholesale exclusively through national dealers, a satisfactory balance has developed whereby the dental market is sold through independent sales reps on a wholesale/dealer basis. All other markets are sold through select dealers or directly to the customer. A stable sales profile with continued growth has resulted.
Manufacturing the product began in the kitchen, moved to a garage, then to a rear of a contractor's warehouse; and finally, in 1981, Kelkom Systems established a permanent home at the present location, 418 MacArthur Avenue, Redwood City in California. The facility allows 2000 square feet used for manufacturing and production, and 1700 square feet used primarily for engineering, sales and management office space.