Methode Electronics was founded by William J. McGinley in 1946 and established on the south side of Chicago, Illinois. Mr. McGinley believed that through innovation and the use of the cutting-edge technology, he could engineer and manufacture solutions that would help his customers grow their own businesses. The company was named from an anagram of good manufacturing method, electrode and cathode of a vacuum tube, forming Methode. In 1951, the etched circuit board was introduced by the U.S. Army Signal Corps and Methode jumped in and designed and patented a “printed circuit socket” for plugging a vacuum tube into a circuit board. Soon, Methode pioneered the development of printing and etching techniques that permitted volume manufacturing of printed circuit boards for consumer electronics. In 1957, Mr. McGinley helped found and became the first president of the Institute of Printed Circuits (IPC). Methode kept expanding its “interconnect” solutions for multiple markets and many customers. Since its founding, Methode continues to develop new technology and innovative solutions, such as user interfaces, LED lighting, sensors, and power products for our customers worldwide. Methode has over 6,500 employees, and globally located sales, engineering and manufacturing facilities.
Methode pioneers and begins manufacturing “complex insert-molded” Leadframes for power and signal distribution within automotive transmissions; and its first “non-contact” Magneto-elastic torque sensor for use on the Bombardier Spyder’s power steering system
Methode establishes DABIR SURFACES, a breakthrough medical device technology to prevent pressure injuries; acquires Advanced Molding & Decoration (AMD) to vertically integrate painting and decorating manufacturing capabilities; and establishes and begins manufacturing automotive products in Cairo, Egypt
Methode moves its corporate headquarters to the Detroit-area (Southfield, Mich.).