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052316_LVB_MiaRossi
- 1. Lehigh Valley Business • May 23, 2016LVB.com 3 By MIA ROSSI Special for Lehigh Valley Business With a degree in physics from Kutztown University, Fred Hafer Jr. and his father in 2005 bought Omnitech Automation in Emmaus, which builds robotic medical and manufacturing equipment. Little did Hafer Jr. know that Omnitech would be pivotal in starting another enter- prise years later that has a potentially lucra- tive partnership with the toy giant Hasbro Inc. It started in 2008, when Hafer sought to buy a football-throwing machine for his son, who had just started playing the sport. Hafer knew there were professional machines that cost several thousands of dol- lars and were not intended for all ages. He didn’t want a toy and didn’t want a costly professional football-throwing machine. His research turned up nothing that fit the bill. So, with his knowledge of physics and Omnitech’s resources, Hafer decided to build one. Today, the product is known as the Ball Cannon, and it’s billed as the world’s first commercialized recreational football launch- er. It’s made in Bern Township at FreVon Inc., Hafer’s startup manufacturing company that also distributes and sells the machine. “It’s about turning my dream into reality and watching it continue to be successful,” said Hafer, president and CEO of FreVon. EIGHT YEARS OF RESEARCH Hafer used his team at Omnitech to develop early prototypes of the machine. He had the idea to start a business cen- tered on the product, which is when he cre- ated FreVon for manufacturing the machine. He and his team at Omnitech recruited the support of an industrial designer and industrial engineer while spending eight years finessing the design and converting the prototype into a product built for mass consumption. The initial product was completed in 2014, a year prior to securing a patent. PARTNERSHIP WITH HASBRO Hafer and company were about ready to start discussion on selling strategies when he got an idea. He thought if they launched Nerf footballs instead of leather footballs, it might be more widely accepted on a recreational level. Hafer contacted Rhode-Island based Hasbro and asked if he could use the Nerf brand name on the product and include Nerf footballs with the sale of the product. A partnership blossomed after negotia- tions, and Hafer signed a license agree- ment with Hasbro last September. LAST-MINUTE IMPROVEMENTS Three months later in December, Hafer started a Kickstarter campaign to build awareness, develop initial customers and raise capital. The campaign collected $10,000 and sold 50 Ball Cannons. Feedback from the sales led to minor improvements for the Ball Cannon. After the upgrades, Hafer and FreVon Inc. launched the product for sale, through a website, on March 24. The product is battery operated and automatically feeds the ball for launch. (Before Hafer thought to build a mecha- nism to load the device, a user had to manually feed the ball, and the ball would launch immediately, thus a need for two people to operate it.) Now, just one person can operate it, as the Ball Cannon has a timer, delaying launch of the football so the user can run into position to catch it. HELPING THE LOCAL ECONOMY The Ball Cannon launches more than just footballs. “I want to create jobs in Pennsylvania,” Hafer said. “It’s not about making a lot of money.” It features homegrown research and development that resulted in production in Berks County. “We want to see companies that are committed to growing in our area,” said Pamela Shupp, vice president of the Greater Reading Economic Partnership. “So the importance of fostering and sup- porting entrepreneurship is so evident.” Hafer wanted to ensure production costs were low enough so that the Ball Cannon could always be made in America. “The Ball Cannon is made of parts that go together quickly without any signifi- cant additional processing,” he said. “No welding, gluing or painting – no expensive manufacturing processes – are required.” POTENTIAL MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES Hafer isn’t necessarily certain of the type of customer for the Ball Cannon down the road. But a variety of consumers are beginning to take interest. College students who play football said it helps hone their skills. Families use it during tailgates and backyard picnics. Children use it for practice and fun. Hafer said he sees the need for several marketing strategies with the possibility of creating several versions of the product to meet the needs of each specific market. Berks company hopes to score with football launcher Scranton | Wilkes-Barre | Honesdale | Moosic | Allentown • Auto Glass • Sun Rooms • Patio Doors • Store Fronts • Aluminum Doors • Steel Exit Doors • Bath Enclosures • Builders Hardware • Vinyl Replacement Windows 171 Lloyd St., Allentown 18103 610-264-3000 www.mesko.com Since 1930 FamilyOwned Tired of the Stall & Hide game played by those hard to reach, hard to close prospects? How to Sell the Plague Presents a Sales Seminar Get Outta DODGe! For tickets, go to Eventbrite and type in “Get Outta Dodge” Then join Richard Plinke on tuesday May 24, 2016 8:30-10:30aM East Stroudsburg University Conference Center 60 West Broad Street, Bethlehem, Pa. $35.00, Limited Seating CONTRIBUTED PHOTO The Ball Cannon, made by FreVon Inc. in Bern Township, propels a Nerf football. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Fred Hafer Jr. says the Ball Cannon can be used by athletes for practice, as well as by others for recreational use.