Is White’s Electronics Going Out of Business?

Unfortunately, it would appear as if the metal detector design and manufacturing company White’s Electronics might be going out of business.

The following notice was sent to metal detector dealers just recently;

June 18, 2020

To our valued White’s Dealers-

This is a very difficult message to write, but the time has come for retirement from White’s Electronics.

We are suspending manufacturing operations at our Sweet Home facility while we re-evaluate the future of the company. It is never easy to make these decisions, however, we are faced with the reality of intense competition in the industry and ongoing counterfeit instruments coming from China. Lastly, there have been critical material shortages since the Covid 19 shutdown that we now find insurmountable. All of us here in Sweet Home are grateful for your service. We consider each you part of the White’s extended family.

Sincerely, Ken White

Additionally, a local Sweet Home, Oregon news site published the following article about businesses that are either struggling or closing in the Sweet Home area as a result of COVID-19. White’s Electronics is mentioned in the second paragraph of the article.

https://www.sweethomenews.com/story/2020/03/25/news/coronavirus-shuts-down-sh-businesses/22829.html

This site does not engage in gossip or speculation. We would therefore like to point out that the notice that was sent to dealers does not specifically mention that White’s Electronics is going out of business. What is mentioned is retirement, presumably the retirement of Ken White, and the suspension of manufacturing operations at White’s Sweet Home facility.

Having been in business since 1950 as an American metal detector design and manufacturing company, we can only hope that White’s Electronics is able to get back on it’s feet and continue to make metal detectors for many more years to come. Our thoughts are with the White’s Electronics employees whose livelihood will be impacted by these changes at the company. I would like to sincerely thank White’s Electronics for their contribution to the hobby of metal detecting.