Die Maker News

At his core Ken Konrad is an innovator and engineer, looking at problems and seeing solutions. Walk around Konrad’s manufacturing and testing facility for even a short time and it is easy to see that Ken Konrad, owner and president, possesses a sharp intellect and an engineer’s mind, as he clearly revels in sharing insight on business and manufacturing practice that goes in each of his company’s rugged stern drive units. While Konrad has quickly established itself as a quality name in the commercial stern drive sector, it is still a newer business line within the company’s overall scope.

Frank Koch, President and founder of DeFelsko Corporation died peacefully in hospital on August 8, 2011 at the age of 77 with his loved ones by his side. Born and raised in Germany, Frank was formally trained as a tool and die maker before emigrating in 1956. In the 1960’s, Frank’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to Ogdensburg, New York where he started several successful businesses including DeFelsko Corporation. It was his involvement with coating thickness and test instruments that most defined his career.