TPC Technologies, a Niles-based professional audiovisual services firm with four decades of history in Southwest Michigan, is merging with Force Tech Solutions of Greenfield, Indiana, a move that officials say expands staffing, technical capabilities, and long-term stability for the company and its employees.
Founded in 1985 by Ken and Pam Kuespert, TPC Technologies has grown from a small local operation into one of the region’s most trusted names in professional AV integration and live production. The company has supported concerts, conferences, classrooms, houses of worship, and community events across Michigan’s Great Southwest, often operating behind the scenes on projects widely experienced by the public.
Ken Kuespert, now a design engineer with Force Tech, said the decision to join forces grew out of a long-standing professional relationship.
“It literally kind of started out of a basic conversation,” Kuespert said. “Force Tech Solutions is a company we’ve done work with back and forth for several years. It was a conversation of, ‘What do you think about growing up in Michigan?’ And that led to, ‘Maybe we should just combine our efforts.’”
Force Tech employs about 70 people, while TPC brought 15 employees into the merger, creating an organization of roughly 85 staff members. While the TPC name will eventually be phased out, the company is currently operating as “TPC Technologies powered by Force Tech,” with business systems, email, and accounting functions already being integrated.
“We’re doing much exactly the same things that we did before,” Kuespert said. “We just have a lot more resources now.”
TPC has earned regional recognition for its technical craftsmanship and reliability, with installations at venues such as the Mendel Center and projects for organizations including Whirlpool and Four Winds Casinos. The company has also supported numerous community events, including the long-running “Lights on Bell Road” holiday display.
Kuespert credited TPC’s reputation to its people and their passion for the work.
“It’s the people — our knowledge and our people that are passionate about what we do,” he said. “We approach it in a professional manner and figure out what the problems are and the solutions that are needed, whether it’s a production or an installation.”
Under Force Tech, Kuespert said customers will gain access to a broader range of services, including broadcast and studio integration — an area TPC previously only touched on.
“They’ve built TV studio control rooms, radio studio control rooms — things like that,” Kuespert said. “That’s something we kind of nibbled on around the edges, but now we can really offer it.”
The merger also addresses operational challenges, particularly turnaround time for quotes, by adding dedicated sales staff.
“They want quotes out the door within 48 hours,” Kuespert said. “That’s amazing — and it’s working.”
All current TPC employees have been retained, and Kuespert said the company plans to hire additional staff and add another building in Niles to accommodate growth.
“We’re out of space right now,” he said. “We need more room.”
Kuespert, 64, said he has committed to remain with Force Tech for the next three to five years as the transition continues.
“Maybe this is my effort of retiring someday,” he said. “But for now, I’m just going to keep on going.”
Force Tech leaders said the acquisition reflects a shared philosophy centered on integrity, long-term relationships, and local commitment, positioning the combined organization for continued growth while maintaining strong ties to Southwest Michigan.
