06/05/15 Corky Ellis, Kepware Technologies

Kepware Technologies Chairman Corson "Corky" Ellis was introduced by Bob Martin. His introduction recalled how COBOL and FORTRAN were the types of computer programing he and others studied when data processing was entered on punch cards. Obviously, data processing and computer driver software has rapidly advanced.  

Maine was the location where Ellis and his wife decided to raise their family and where he decided to build the software business.“Maine is a great place to do business,” he said.  “It’s a beautiful place to raise a family and develop a business.Corky established the company in 1995, with an office currently located on Congress Street in Portland.

Consider a wind farm in Germany, an oil rig in Canada, and an automotive manufacturer in the United States. Each of these companies have machines and devices that are producing vast amounts of data waiting to be processed and understood. Kepware Technologies develops communication and inter-operability software solutions for these automation industries. Their drivers interface, connect, manage and monitor diverse automation devices and software applications.Kepware Technologies' mission is to be "Your Standard for Connectivity." Soon the company will employ 500 people.Almost all of the customers are outside Maine, because the software is marketed and sold to manufacturing companies.

Organizational challenges put Corky’s business plan at risk during the company’s early years. He described setbacks and successes in developing the specialized computer driver company in Maine. His dedicated investment in the company provided him with-on-the-job training about business development. Until a sustainable business plan was implemented, Kepware Technologies faced fiscal challenges in early 2000, in spite of a growing awareness about how the software could improve manufacturing efficiencies.  

Although growth has been steady, the company desperately needs engineers and employees with programming education to continue to meet customer needs. In fact, workforce development is essential to continue the company’s growth. The company supports science and engineering education by giving sizeable donations to Maine’s schools and the University of Maine in Orono. Future engineers begin by learning more “science, technology, math and engineering (STEM)” starting in junior high school. Maine needs to double and triple the numbers of engineers.  University of Maine Orono graduated 50 engineers this year; and the University of Southern Maine graduated 12 engineers. “Kepware Technologies is desperate for engineers,” said Corky.

Kepware Technologies gives five scholarships at $12,000 each to the University of Maine. Additionally, the company supports a laptop program for 4th graders to help equip classrooms. Interns are hired and are paid. Ten percent of pre-tax profits are given to charities.

Information about Kepware Technologies is available at the company’s website www.kepware.com; and at www.facebook.com/kepware, and on Twitter.

(Photo: Rusty Atwood and our speaker, Corky Ellis.)