Ndofor named to Kobi’s product development, engineering
Leading LED manufacturer Kobi Electric has appointed lighting industry veteran Terence Ndofor to be the company’s director of product development and engineering.
Ndofor, formerly the technical manager for LED lighting at Jasco Products, blends technical expertise in engineering with the vision to manage a product’s journey from concept to marketplace.
He has been responsible for developing, planning, executing and managing large scale product roll outs and will lead testing and designing for Kobi’s new Smart Lighting products.
Kobi is developing a line of Smart Lighting called UR HOM that will be controlled through home automation platforms like Amazon Echo and Google Home. Currently, the platform is in the development phase, but the Fort Worth-based company plans to roll out the first products by the end of the year.
“We are continuing to strengthen our team and adding a high energy industry veteran like Mr. Ndofor is another step toward Kobi’s ultimate goal of being the most progressive lighting manufacturer in North America,” said Kobi Electric President Nick Peragine.
“The development and roll out of UR HOM smart lighting products required one of the best minds in the industry, and we believe Mr. Ndofor has a unique ability to effectively manage complex technical projects while also maintaining an emphasis on the end-goal of customer satisfaction,” Peragine said.
Utilizing user interfaces with applications accessed through phones, tablets or an online portal, Kobi’s UR HOM system will allow control of mood, settings, scenes and temperature of the lights in a home while also reducing energy usage and costs.
kobielectric.com
Relentless program update
Bell Helicopter said in July that its Bell 525 Relentless program has resumed flight test activity after receiving experimental certificate renewal from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Two test pilots were killed in the crash of a prototype Bell 525 helicopter during flight testing July 6, 2016.
“We have resumed a key element of the Bell 525 program,” said Mitch Snyder, president and CEO. “Bell Helicopter has worked with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and FAA since the accident and we are confident in the resumption of flight test activity.”
“The team is focused on certification in 2018 and we are committed to bringing this innovative and high-performing helicopter to market,” said Snyder.
The Bell 525 is the world’s first fly-by-wire commercial helicopter and is designed to operate safely and reliably in austere environments with decreased pilot workload.
The aircraft features the first fully-integrated touch screen avionics suite designed for helicopters, the Garmin G5000H. Best-in-class payload, cabin, cargo volumes, and passenger comfort complement the technological advancements on the aircraft, Bell says.
bellhelicopter.com
KPS renovates, expands facility
Fort Worth-based KPS Global completed a renovation and expansion of its Piney Flats, Tennessee, facility in May. The company has invested more than $1 million in the Tennessee facility, which increased in size by over 70,000 square feet and press capacity by 50 percent.
KPS Global is a privately held manufacturer of insulated panel systems, such as walk-in freezers and refrigerated warehouses.
The additional square footage positions KPS Global to better meet customer demand and reinforces the company’s access to customers on the East Coast, the company said. The Industrial Park Road location has multiple manufacturing lines that create insulated panel systems for use in various applications – from retail food displays to climate controlled scientific chambers – each designed and manufactured to customer specifications.
KPS Global also offers a wide variety of aftermarket parts and replacement doors as well as installation services.
“Given the strategic location of the Piney Flats facility in relation to our two other manufacturing facilities, it was natural to invest in the facility. The additional space gives us the capacity to meet growing demand,” said Jack Bowling, CEO of KPS Global. “With the support of D Cubed Group, we’ve been able to invest in our people and facilities. This project serves as an important part of our growth strategy.” Bowling said.
KPS was created in December 2015 by D Cubed Group LLC through the acquisition of Hill Phoenix’s Walk-Ins division from Dover Corporation and Kysor Panel Systems from The Manitowoc Company Inc. KPS Global has more than 600 employees.
kpsglobal.com
Lockheed’s F-35 project awarded $5.57B from Defense Department
The Department of Defense has awarded a $5.57 billion contract to Lockheed Martin Corp. for 74 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters with primary manufacturing to take place in Fort Worth.
The contract provides for 74 aircraft in Fiscal 2017, including 48 F-35As for the Air Force, 19 F-35Bs for the Marine Corps, and eight F-35Cs for the Navy and Marine Corps.
The work is projected to be finished in December 2020.
lockheedmartin.com