Kester

Kester is a leading global supplier of assembly materials to the electronic assembly, component and microelectronic marketplaces. Our products include an array of basic and high-tech attachment materials including traditional soldering chemicals, bar and wire solder and paste products. We serve a worldwide customer base with facilities in North America, Germany and Singapore. We are an Illinois Tool Works (ITW) Company. ITW is a leading diversified manufacturing company with more than 100 years of history and over 800 decentralized business units in nearly 60 countries. 

Throughout the world, Kester’s products are known for their high quality and advanced technology. Kester’s ISO-14001 and ISO-9001 certifications ensure Kester’s partners of this dedication to quality and environmental responsibility. Our goal is to provide product solutions for the electronics assembly, semiconductor and automotive industries across the world. 

WE ARE ITW

ITW was built on innovation and the strength of new ideas. These values have helped us expand into multiple platforms in nearly 60 countries. But at each of our businesses, the independent entrepreneurial spirit and freedom to innovate remain strong. It’s the highly talented people at ITW businesses all over the world who drive our success through new products and customer driven solutions. Together, we are ITW—a Fortune 200 company that has prospered for more than 100 years, and changed the way people live and work, all over the world. 

KESTER HISTORY

The company was founded in 1899 as the Chicago Solder Company to produce flux-cored solder. This patented Kester manufacturing process has had a major impact in the electronics industry to this day. ITW acquired Kester in 2006, and is now part of ITW’s Test & Measurement and Electronics business segment. Kester recognized the importance of being a global supplier in the electronics industry by establishing manufacturing facilities in Singapore (1969) and in Germany (1972) to better service the Asian and European markets, respectively.