The genius behind the festool system?

[fritter63]

Been meaning to ask this for awhile...

Is there a single "genius" visionary behind the festool system and how it works together? (thinking Steve Jobs or Johnny Ive here) or just the work of a group of empowered designers?

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

We have a team of engineers and R&D guys that are responsible for contributions in varying levels. There are instances where one might stand out from the crowd more than the others. An example would be Vitus, who was primarily responsible for the idea of the Domino. There are even times with employees who are not part of the R&D team make contributions. David McGibbon, a now retired employee of Festool USA and who's family was responsible for becoming the first import partners in the US, contributed the guard on the Rotex sander to keep it from contacting adjacent surfaces.

Shane

 

[mikeomalley]

Absolutely !

 

[tbellemare]

That's very interesting, Shane...

David never mentioned that he was the Genius behind the edge guides on the Rotex.

David, if you're out there still watching, YOU ARE MISSED!

I hope you are really enjoying your well deserved retirement.

Tom

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Tom, I hear that David still frequents the FOG now that he has some extra time on his hands.

 

[tbellemare]

He is, indeed, a Class Act!

Thanks for your Superb Service, David!!!

I don't think it can be overstated how valuable David was to the Team at Festool.

Thank you again, David,

Tom

 

[panelchat]

Some of what we are looking at is good, well chosen industrial designers allowed to take their knack for innovation as far as it can go.
It takes special executive vision and leadership for this to happen.
It is sad that more american companies don't put their design people at the top like Apple did, so as to make a very coherent, cohesive product line.

Look up Braun (the german company) and Deiter Rams (head industrial designer) if you like this topic.

 

[John Stevens]

+1 !

He is, indeed, a Class Act!

Thanks for your Superb Service, David!!!

I don't think it can be overstated how valuable David was to the Team at Festool.

Thank you again, David,

Tom