Richard
Kellerman and Paul Nielsen established NK in 1978. Richard was
working as a Physical Chemist at Xerox Inc., when Coach Ted Nash
recruited him to devise a product that would simplify the coxswain's
many jobs on the river.
With the collaboration of Paul Nielsen, an associate from Xerox
Inc., Richard Kellerman was convinced that he could create one
unit to combine the tasks of an amplifier/stroke meter/timer to
simplify the coxswain's job. The idea to create a Cox Box® amplifier came to Richard after watching a coxswain run his crew into a bridge
during a regatta.
In 1984, NK expanded their product line to include
the original Stroke Coach® stroke meter, designed for scullers
and straight boats so that they, too, could know their stroke rate
and time. Following the success of the Stroke Coach®, NK designed
the Chronostroke™
rate and stop watch for rowing coaches, and developed and manufactured
the original monitor for the Concept II rowing machine.
With the development of these four products, NK had grown too
large for the basement of Richard's house. In 1985, NK took up
residence in an old rayon-making factory in Marcus Hook, PA developing
the Pace Coach® and the Speed Coach® over the next ten years. During
this time, NK also redesigned the Cox Box®, Cox Vox® and Stroke Coach®
to be smaller, lighter, and easier to use.
In 1996, NK expanded into a completely new
product line by launching a line of wind and weather instruments,
called Kestrel® Pocket
Weather® Meters. The company was growing rapidly, so once again it
was time to move to a larger facility located in Chester, PA. During
the tenure at the Chester facility (1996-2004), NK released a total
of 4 models of Kestrel® Pocket Weather Meters, as well as added
another product to the rowing line, the Speed Coach® Gold, and
introduced the Interval 2000 Rate Watch® as well for the swimming
and track and field markets.
Most recently, NK has expanded its business and facilities to
a brand new manufacturing location in Boothwyn, PA. This fall NK
has also just released two new additions to their Kestrel® product
line.
Everyone at NK would like to thank their loyal customers, and
congratulate the performance of the Olympic Men's and Women's 8+
in Athens.
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