Page 37 - Flathead Beacon // 10.22.14

FLATHEADBEACON.COM
BUSINESS
OCTOBER 22, 2014 | 37
uadrocopter’s offices and production shop along Montana Highway 40 between Whitefish and Columbia Falls are a far cry from the company’s first home, a liv- ing room in Coram. But Quadrocopter has also come a long way from its founding in
2010. So, too, has the hobby and industry it serves. When Quadrocopter first took off in 2010, most people had never even heard of a drone or unmanned aerial vehicle; UAV for short. But five years later, foot- age and images from drones can be found just about
anywhere on television and in movies.
Adam Paugh, chief financial officer and one of the
founders of Quadrocopter, said the increasing number of personal drones is amazing. When he and Florian Seeger first formed Quadrocopter it was one of the only companies in the country selling complete UAVs. Now they can be purchased from a growing number of busi- nesses and even online at sites like Amazon.com.
“If you look at the industry over the last few years there has just been some amazing growth,” Paugh said from the company’s office last week. “Our com- pany really took off when we started selling ready-to- fly copters. That’s what turned us into a multi-million dollar company.”
When Paugh and Seeger first started Quadrocop- ter it was primarily a side business focused on help- ing people build their German-made drones. But then Quadrocopter started buying parts and building the mini-choppers on its own. Today, the company’s 12 employees build and ship anywhere from 200 to 300 UAVs every year.
“I like to describe Quadrocopter as a systems inte- grator. We take the best frame systems, the best flight systems, the best blades and the best cameras and we put it all together,” Paugh said. “We basically take the best ingredients and make the best stews.”
But it can be a pretty expensive stew. According to Paugh, a Quadrocopter can cost anywhere from $1,000
Quadrocopter employee Matt Ragan, right, instructs Andrew Stai during a training flight near Grouse Mountain Lodge.
GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON
to $25,000, depending on the type and how much weight the buyer wants it to carry. However, Quadro- copter’s customers also get some additional perks. Buy- ers can chose to take part in training sessions so they see how their copter is built and how to operate it.
Paugh said the training sessions are growing in popularity and that they benefit both the customer and the industry as a whole. As more people buy personal drones, more stories about mishaps are emerging. One of the most notable instances happened this summer when a tourist crashed a drone into a hot spring in- side Yellowstone National Park. Since June, most Na- tional Parks have banned the use of drones inside their boundaries. Paugh said more incidents like that could
“WHEN YOU BUY FROM US YOU HAVE A FULL SUPPORT STAFF TO ASK QUESTIONS AND HELP YOU LEARN HOW TO FLY IT SAFELY.” Adam Paugh
hurt the growing hobby and that’s why Quadrocopter offers training sessions. He said customers don’t get that same level of service if they just buy their UAV on- line from other sellers.
“When you buy from us you have a full support staff to ask questions and help you learn how to fly it safely,” Paugh said. “We do a lot of hand holding because we want you to succeed... And we don’t want people crash- ing into buildings.”
Another growing segment of the company’s busi- ness is supplying spare parts. Quadrocopter also pro- vides custom parts that it designs itself so that prod- ucts from different suppliers can fit together. Engineer Larry Garlough, who uses a 3D printer to test out de- signs before ordering the final piece, creates many of the custom pieces himself.
“It’s nice to have this 3D printer so we can make sure the piece we design will actually work before we order hundreds of them,” he said.
One of Quadrocopter’s co-owners, Jeff Scholl, also owns GravityShots.com. Many media companies have hired Scholl, including the Outdoor Channel and ESPN, and he said that the mini-helicopters offer us- ers views they have never been able to get before at a cheaper price. He said in years past if someone wanted an elevated shot, they would have to rent a helicopter, which can cost up to $5,000 an hour.
“The technology just keeps getting better,” he said.
Paugh said that he is still surprised by how much the company has grown in recent years, but that the company doesn’t plan on outgrowing its local, home- grown roots.
“We want to stay small and stay connected to our customers,” Paugh said. “We know most of our cus- tomers by their first name and that’s what will keep us moving forward.”
For more information visit www.quadrocopter.
com.
[email protected]
© 2014 Graham Oleson
2014 IntelliChoice, www.IntelliChoice.com; Popular Brand. Based on 2014 model year study. Lease a New 2014 Tundra Double Cab SR5 5.7L V8 4X4 for $279 a month for 24 months with $1,950 down and $2,879 due at signing. Due at signing costs include first month’s payment, $650 acquisition fee and $1,950 down payment. Example based on model #8341. Base Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price $34,015. Monthly payments of $279 total $6,696. Net capitalized cost of $31,365 based on down payment and dealer participation, which may vary by dealer. Lease end purchase option is $24,830.95. Payment may vary depending on final transaction price. Offers cannot be combined with any other offers, vary by region and are subject to availability. Security de- posit waived. Closed-end lease. $350 disposition fee due at lease end unless customer purchases vehicle or decides to re-finance through TFS. Customer responsible for maintenance, excess wear and tear and $0.15 per mile over 12,000 miles per year. To qual- ified Tier I+ customers through TFS. Offers good in WA, OR, ID, and MT. For ID and MT state dealerships, a documentary service fee in an amount up to $350 may be added to vehicle price. For Washington state dealerships, a negotiable documentary service fee in an amount up to $150 may be added to sale price or capitalized cost. For Oregon state dealerships, a negotiable documentary service fee in an amount up to $100 may be added to vehicle price. Oregon state dealerships not using an electronic vehicle regis- tration system may only apply fees up to $75 to vehicle price. Does not include taxes, license, title, processing fees, insurance and dealer charges. See your local participating Toyota dealer for details. Must take retail delivery from dealer stock by 11/03/2014.
2845 HWY. 93 SOUTH
DEALER LOGO AREA
KALISPELL, MT
406-755-6060 WWW.KALISPELLTOYOTA.COM