Company of the Month
Local Motors:
Manufacturing Future
Ready Vehicles
I
n the early 1980s, an engineer named Chuck Hull went to his boss
with an idea; to build a machine that printed items people could hold
in their hands. However, his idea was not approved by his manager
and he was only discouraged because of the same — after all, the
company was producing UV lamps, not “Star Trek” replicators. However,
the world wasn’t ready to wait, and the two men eventually reached to a
compromise; by day, Chuck would dedicate himself to the company’s
lamps; at night, he'd cobble together his dream machine.
Fast forward to thirty years, 3D printing has made its way in our lives, and
its practical applications are endless. Today, 3D printing is being widely
used by small start-up companies to large OEM vehicle and aircraft
manufacturers allowing faster and more cost effective alternatives to
traditional manufacturing methods. However, this wasn’t the case back in
2007, when only a few knew how effective 3D printing could be if used to
its true potential. One of those talented minds who believed in 3D printing
was John B. Rogers Jr. (Jay Rogers), who – after serving for seven
years in the United States Marine Corps, where he was an Infantry
Company Commander – founded Local Motors as a way to bring
manufacturing and customization to the people.
Ten years later, with headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona Local Motors is a
leading technology company that designs, builds and sells vehicles. Local
Motors has already created the World’s first 3D Printed car, the Strati,
which took only 44 hours in production. 3D Printing was seen as the
future and Jay saw it for what it’s true worth only to lead that movement
from the forefront.
An Entrepreneur who saw Future before it Arrived
Rogers has entreprene urship in his DNA. From his grandfather who was
an entrepreneur, he drew inspiration. After graduating from Princeton
along with a Masters’ degree in Business Administration from Harvard
Business School, and having spent time in consulting and in banking,
Rogers headed down an academic and professional route that seemed
appropriate for a future entrepreneur. However, a seven year stint in the
are unlike any manufacturer
“ We
you have ever seen
“
| August 2017 |
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