Stuart Koford, president of Koford Engineering, owner of a new Tesla.
A CEO Car-side Chat With Stuart Koford, president of Koford Engineering, owner of a new Tesla
PD&D Design Daily: Tell me about your new Tesla. What's it like to drive? Any drawbacks?
Stuart Koford: There is instant push you back in the seat thrust when you step on the accelerator, no lag like with a conventional engine. The accelerator pedal also controls regenerative braking so the brake pedal is hardly used. It’s very smooth.
PD&D: What sparked your interest in the car, any feature in particular?
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Koford: Being in the electric motor business, an electric car has a natural appeal. Energy independence is a plus, but really it is a very cool car.
PD&D: I heard that it's eerily quiet when you drive it. Is that true?
Koford: At a stop or at low speed there is no noise, when you accelerate there is a jet engine-like whirr.
PD&D: What is Koford Engineering's specialty?
Koford: We make high performance motors and drives. We specialize in very high output per unit weight/size and also very high efficiency, speeds up to 200,000 rpm and motors for use in vacuum. Many are used in applications like military drones, robots, aircraft and scientific research.
PD&D: Where do you see your company in five years?
Koford: We expect to add larger sizes of motors, but otherwise we will concentrate on continuing on being a leader in the markets we are in.
PD&D: What keeps you up at night when it comes to your company and industry?
Koford: The economy is a concern, naturally. As far as the industry, my greatest concern is that in the U.S., companies will continue to be focused on short term results, financial shell games, layoffs and outsourcing as business strategies rather then product innovation, efficiency, quality and continuous improvement.
For more information visit http://www.koford.com/.