Encoder CFO honored by alma mater
(Courtesy photo) Robert “Bob” White, chief financial official at Encoder Products Company, was recently recognized by the University of Idaho Academy of Engineers, which inducted Bob as one of its six new members for 2018.
SAGLE — Robert “Bob” White has been instrumental in the growth and development of Encoder Products Company for more than 36 years. Now, his contributions to the field of computer engineering have been recognized by the University of Idaho Academy of Engineers, which inducted Bob as one of its six new members for 2018.
“I earned my bachelor’s degree in computer science from U of I in 1982,” says Bob. “The computer science program is part of the College of Engineering, so it was a rigorous program, even then. Being inducted into the academy is quite an honor. As a computer programmer, it’s refreshing to see computer engineering honored along with mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, etc.”
In his years with EPC, White’s role has changed significantly. “In 1982, I was hired as part of data processing — but I was the only one in the department. At first, I was simply setting up people’s terminals and implementing software.”
In the years since, Bob has engaged in a variety of projects for EPC, from writing code for early customer relationship management systems, to developing various databases, and even spearheading a program that has become EPC’s defining competitive edge in the encoder market: EPC’s short lead times. Through strategic deployment of manufacturing software, Bob helped lead EPC to take production times from four to six weeks down to four to six days.
“Many encoder manufacturers have lead times of six to eight weeks,” explains Bob. “When you’re a manufacturer, and you have a machine down, you cannot wait weeks for a vital part. Our standard lead time on most products is four to six business days, and we offer same-day expedite service on most of our products. When customers are really in a bind, we can often get them their encoders the next day. We’ve come a long way from the spiral notebooks we used to use to track orders through production.”
For all these achievements in engineering and industry, the University of Idaho included Bob White in its 2018 Inductees to the Academy of Engineers, which recognizes U of I alumni and others for their personal contributions to engineering achievement, leadership, education, service to the profession, and advancement of society.
Encoder Products Company is a leading designer and world-wide manufacturer of motion sensing devices. EPC began operations in 1969, producing a line of custom encoders from a small, home-based shop. Today, EPC is still a privately-held encoder manufacturer in North America, headquartered in northern Idaho, where they produce a complete line of incremental and absolute rotary encoders and accessories.