KTA Services has been in business for 24 years, and still hanging in there. From humblebeginnings in 1984 when our charter was to supply a small handful of hard-to-get EV components such as controllers, contractors, and fuses -- to our present lineup in 2008 -- we now stock more than 500 components and publications. KTA's very first catalog was a mere 11 pages, listing only about 25 parts and books. We tried to give free copies of that first catalog away, but nobody seemed to want it. We surmised that folks didn't put much value on something that was free, so we began to charge $3.00 for it, and suddenly our catalog was in demand! About 1987 we began our quest to someday become a full-time business which supplies all EV conversion parts -- everything but the batteries. That goal was realized in 1991 when we became a distributor for Advanced DC Motors. Today our parts lineup includes more than 300 items. Dozens of other components such as motor brushes and springs, headbands, and extreme high-performance motors for racing, to name just a few, are also available. If you need a particular component, please ask and we'll try to provide it for you. You never know, it may even be in stock.
While KTA Services basically is an EV components business, we take great pride and joy in doing applications engineering for our customers and potential new clients. In other words, we get to solve other people's EV problems and challenges using our parts. What could be more interesting or gratifying? The scope of our customers' projects goes way beyond electric cars, bikes and trikes, go karts, and Electrathon type vehicles. It also includes electric dragsters, battlebots, pirouetting parade vehicles, special effects apparatus for the movie industry, and some pretty wild amusement park rides. We especially enjoy designing systems and providing parts for high-performance EVs.
What's New
What about component prices at KTA? Well, some have gone up, and some remained the same. All motors have increased slightly in price due to the demand on worldwide supplies of steel, iron, copper and aluminum. The majority of KTA prices remained the same as they were previously.
What else is up at KTA Services?
As of April 15th, 2008, KTA Services is under new ownership. The founder, Ken Koch has decided to retire from the EV hardware business after more than 23 years. Ken's retirement will give him the time to build his dream, a 1932 Ford EV street roadster. You can follow his projects at "The Founder's Page" link on the KTA Services Home Page. He will continue to provide consulting to EV builders while I come up to speed on the hardware side of the business. You can reach his consulting business at the "EV-Consulting" link on the KTA Services Home Page.
My name is Wistar Rhoads. I look forward to building on Ken's reputation for quality components, timely service, and expert knowledge. My goal is to do everything I can to make it easier, cheaper, and more rewarding for you, the EV builder. I have 27 years of experience as a mechanical research and development, manufacturing, and process engineer, with a handfull of years in management to round me out. I will use the skills and knowledge I have gained over the years to work with the component manufacturers to improve their products and to provide a full range of services for you. Ken has a big pair of shoes to fill. I will do my best to meet his standard. Please let me know what KTA Services can do to meet these goals.
