MICROFLECT LEGACY

It can be said that Steelhead is a direct “spin-off” of microwave telecommunications pioneer, Microflect Company. In fact, Mike Kreitzberg is the son of Microflect co-founder George Kreitzberg (Aeronautical Engineer), and the nephew of Microflect co-founders Jim (Aeronautical Engineer) and Richard (Industrial Engineer) Kreitzberg.

In 1955, George was growing an agricultural spraying and firefighting business in Salem, Oregon. As his fleet of aircraft grew (F7F Tigercats, B26s, Stearmans, etc.) so did his fabrication and hanger facilities.

At this time, George’s brother, Jim was developing a microwave network for Montana Power with Motorola. In 1956, working from Jim’s drawings, George’s fabrication plant developed the world’s first microwave passive repeater and Microflect Company was born. With the addition of Richard to the team in the early 60s, Microflect developed a catalog of components and assemblies that would become the world-wide standard for the microwave telecom industry.

For decades, engineers in North America, Europe, Africa, Asia and elsewhere relied upon Microflect innovation and supply chains to spec-out the global communications network. For 24 years, Mike worked in this environment of visionary thinking, engineering excellence and supply know-how. Today, Steelhead carries on that legacy to the benefit of its clients and partners.

Microflect Company co-founder, George Kreitzberg surveys microwave passive repeater panels ready for shipment to South America in this 1963 photo. Initially deployed in the Western United States in the late 50s, Microflect's repeaters were soon in demand world-wide. Interestingly, soon-to-be aviation giant, Evergreen Aviation was an early contracting partner, airlifting repeater towers and panels to remote highlands in Canada, Labrador and Scotland. Early clients included Shell Oil Co; Jet Propulsion Laboratory; California State Highway Dept; Pacific Northwest Bell and numerous other telephone and television companies.