To submit your resume to join the team click here.

Oh, and if you ever need any help of an engineering or design nature, you have our number…

Sorry you missed it. It went too fast to photograph.

Let me start by saying that you must see a race like this in person to fully appreciate it.  Between the crowds buzzing with excitement, the deafening roar of 650 hp engines revving over 10,000 RPM, and IndyCars reaching close to 200MPH along the Inner Harbor, no amount of TV coverage or photography can truly capture how awesome this event is.  According to reports, 75,000 people experienced it first-hand, making the Baltimore Grand Prix the most successful inaugural street race in the US in 30 years.

To enjoy the event, Key Tech booked a room right on the race track at the InterContinental Harbor Court.  We had a great view of the 180° Turn 3, and the straight-aways leading into and away from it.  Not only could we hear the cars scream down the track, we really got a sense of how fast they are and their acceleration/deceleration capabilities.  We were even able to get track-side from the hotel’s courtyard.  Very cool!

Several Key Techers were fortunate enough to take behind-the-scenes tours with a few of the racing teams.  Team engineers were on hand to answer all of our nerdy questions, and some drivers were around as well.  The teams were very engaging and receptive to questions, so a big thanks to HVM Racing, KV Racing Technology, and AJ Foyt Racing for their hospitality.

So despite the inconveniences caused by months of construction and random road closures, we’re looking forward to the return of the Baltimore Grand Prix.  Join us next year when the streets of Baltimore are again transformed into a 2-mile race track and experience some truly impressive engineering!

Credits:
Camera: Chad Schneider
Editing: Jeff Gunnarsson
Starring: Frank Regan, Conrad Laskowski, and Dave Hershey
Music: “Let Me Go” by the band “Steep” used under the Creative Commons license.

Market consolidation in the clinical testing instrument business was evident on the show floor, with many exhibitors displaying families of instruments recently acquired from other smaller businesses.  From the looks of it there is more consolidation in store; the lure of the personalized medicine business has generated a large number of new companion diagnostics instruments and assays, and it appears the number of PCR instruments far exceeds what the market could demand.

Also evident on a walk-around is the increasing trend away from large central lab instruments and toward smaller footprint satellite lab and portable instruments.  This trend is likely fueled by increasing interest in lower cost and quicker turnaround point-of-care diagnostics coupled with ready mini-electronics and battery design arising from the consumer electronics industry.

Another trend shown in recently years is the influx of new players from emerging markets such as Latin America and Asia Pacific.  The IVD market is expecting a compound annual growth rate of 6.6% for the next 5 years with the Asia Pacific and Latin America regions leading the way, according to the expo issue of the Clinical Laboratory News July 2011.  Not only are the demands from these markets are growing, confirmed by the number of international participants walking the floor, but also the technology innovation from these regions is forecast to surpass the U.S in the coming decade.  This year, there were 55 Chinese biotech companies and manufacturers showcasing lab devices, assays, manufacturing components, and even a CAP-accredited clinical lab network.  The fact that most manufacturers claim ISO 13485 certificate and CE mark shows the sophistication and competitiveness of the Asia Pacific biotech sector.  The shifting landscape of both major market places and innovation drivers will be interesting and a challenge for U.S. companies in the coming decade.

Baltimore Grand Prix racetrack is going up. Our commutes have never been so fast! Photo Credit: David Hershey

Frank is particularly excited, riding a big-wheel around the office. “I didn’t know we were running a race track!”

Start your ENGINES!

Crabs and beer!

Key Techers, families, and friends recently gathered for the annual Key Tech Crab Feast, and a great time was had by all. As always, Scott and Ben graciously hosted the event at their farm. The crabs were hot, the beer was cold, and the weather was perfect for an afternoon outdoors. To complement the crabs, the event was catered by Sunshine Grille. Attendees were treated to beef brisket sandwiches, sausages, grilled Portobello, and side dishes. Yum!

Several fan favorites from past crab feasts made an appearance this year. A (conservatively estimated) 750-foot zip line carried screaming kids (and adults!) down a hill into the woods. Thanks to Conrad’s repair efforts, the Zorb ball was again in attendance – a video of it in action from last year can be found below. We also enjoyed swimming, volleyball, and a bonfire with S’mores when the sun went down. The new toy this year was a golf ball cannon – it was a blast (har har)!

As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end, but we’re already looking forward to next year. Thanks to all those that helped make this year’s crab feast a success, and a special thanks to Scott, Ben, and their families for allowing us to invade their farm!

Zip line, Superman style

Want To Attend?

Please email Lei lei@keytechinc.com to RSVP by noon, July 13th.

About Amy Davis

Ms. Davis has garnered many national awards for her work as a photojournalist at The Baltimore Sun during the past twenty-four years. Memorable images by Davis have appeared in major U.S. publications, as well as in several books, such as A Century in The Sun, Photographs of Maryland (The Baltimore Sun), The Papal Visit, John Paul II in Baltimore (Cathedral Foundation Press), and several editions of The Best of Photojournalism (National Press Photographers Association). Her fine art training from The Cooper Union, where she graduated with a B.F.A. in 1978, is reflected in her approach to documentary work. Her work has been exhibited at The Brooklyn Museum in New York City, and is in the permanent collection of the Hudson River Museum in Yonkers, New York.

Talking to the RISD sophomores. Photo Credit: Jeremy Savage

Every year, Industrial Designers come together for one weekend to attend the regional IDSA (Industrial Design Society of America) conference.  This year, the North East chapter was held at the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence Rhode Island, and Jeremy Savage and I made the trip.

In addition to the IDSA event, Jeremy and I were asked to give a talk to the RISD sophomore industrial design class.  The first part of the talk focused on life as a designer at Key Tech and how integration is crucial in the product development cycle.  The second half of the presentation consisted of a sketching demonstration in which techniques and tips were projected live in front of the audience.  The talk finished with a Q&A session, and a tour of several of the advanced studios.

Attendees at the IDSA conference are made up of both students and professionals. The weekend is planned around several speakers, mixers, and workshops.  This year’s theme was “Design 4 Humans” and the talks discussed the role of design in our modern world.  The keynote speakers were RISD’s John Maeda, and MNML’s Scott Wilson; their discussions ranged from design education, and design entrepreneurship respectively.   Other talks were held by Smart Design, Altitude, and Ximedica.  Topics ranged from the integration of design and business, talking about design with non designers, and designing in context. It was inspiring to hear the message of the presenters was consistent with our mission as designers at Key Tech.

There were also several workshops which showcased new software, as well as mixers where both professionals and students could meet.  The weekend culminated at a gala event held at Ximedica and featured music, food, and lots of Narragansett.

Overall it was a great weekend and a great experience for two of Key Tech’s designers.

Jeremy Savage and I presenting to the RISD sophomores group. Photo Credit: Carly Ayres

Conceptual inhaler design I did as a sketch demo

Phil doesn’t have much explanation for his wrong prediction, other than to say, “I had a falling out with the reindeer a couple of moons ago when I made a crack about them as Christmas ‘Extras’. I’m not saying they messed with my forecasting computer setup, but they’ve always been jealous that I get the holiday to myself. I wouldn’t put it past them.”

Local reindeer had no comment.

Photo Credit: Sammy Squirrel