OSU Center Honored for Prototype Work with Muskogee Manufacturer
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
STILLWATER, OKLA. -- The national association for university-based organizations that
provide economic development, business and technical assistance to businesses and
communities has presented Oklahoma State University its 2005 Award for Excellence
in Technology Commercialization.
During its annual conference last month in Monterrey, Calif., the University Economic
Development Association recognized OSU’s New Product Development Center for its work
with Klutts Equipment Inc. The NPDC, which provides prototyping assistance to Oklahoma’s
small- and medium-sized, rural manufacturers, developed for the Muskogee firm a new
railroad maintenance machine called the “Gon-topper.”
The Gon-Topper is a wireless, remote-controlled, self-loading/unloading machine used
to load and unload railroad ties, gravel, tie plates, tie spikes and other railroad
maintenance supplies from gondola cars.
“The Klutts Gon-Topper developed by the NPDC brings to the national and international
railroad industry a safe, efficient, flexible and cost effective means to load and
unload railroad gondola cars during construction and maintenance of railroad right-of-way,”
said Dr. Larry Hoberock, NPDC co-director and professor and head of OSU’s School of
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
The UEDA competition is held for its members and their designated affiliates to identify
outstanding efforts in economic development.
The Klutts Gon-Topper was developed by a team of New Product Develop Center engineers
and designers comprised of OSU faculty, staff and students led by Marvin Smith, former
OSU professor of mechanical engineering technology. Using a concept and input from
Klutts Equipment, the NPDC team designed, constructed and delivered a working prototype.
Hoberock said the production of the Gon-Topper will result in nine immediate Oklahoma
jobs, and 90 expected future jobs and an increase of $1.5 to $2 million in domestic
revenues after the completion of a new, 10,500-sq.-ft. production facility now under
construction in Muskogee.
Klutts Equipment also expanded its market to include global customers.
NPDC student interns from OSU’s Agricultural Communications program worked as consultants
to help Klutts Equipment develop a communications strategy to promote the company
and its new product. The collaboration gave the students a real-world experience,
while Klutts received professional communications materials including a new company
website, logo, and letterhead.
“Receiving this award establishes the NPDC as a national leader and will help us
recruit more new product development projects from small, rural manufacturers in Oklahoma,”
Hoberock said. “It also demonstrates to the state legislature and the Oklahoma Department
of Commerce that the investment they place with us not only will return multiples
to Oklahoma on that investment, but has brought national recognition to the State
as a leader in this area.”
Hoberock said the New Product Development Center at OSU provides a valuable opportunity
for existing manufacturers to develop and commercialize their new product ideas.
“Since its inception in 2002, the NPDC has already created the potential for 250
new jobs and more than $90 million in new revenues for Oklahoma manufacturers,” Hoberock
said. “Every NPDC project is an investment in the future of Oklahoma.”
Formerly known as the National Association of Management and Technical Assistance
Centers, the University Economic Development Association provides advocacy and information
to enhance the performance of university-based organizations and their affiliates
providing economic development, business and technical assistance to companies and
communities. The association is unique in that it focuses on universities’ role in
economic development and provides a forum for a diverse membership with the common
goals of enhancing enterprise competitiveness and community wealth.
by Marsha Broesche