Revolutionizing Security for the 21st Century
Precision, repeatable process and detailed documentation reduce assembly time for Evolv’s next-generation walk-through security
Evolv Technology is a global leader in weapons detection for security screenings. Their mission is to provide a better security experience for venues where people gather (including tourist attractions, performing arts venues, stadiums, hospitals, schools, and government facilities), while keeping visitors safe.
The company’s product, Evolv Express®, combines powerful advanced sensors, proven artificial intelligence (AI), and comprehensive venue analytics to detect threats 10 times faster than traditional metal detectors. Evolv Express screens for threats without sacrificing the visitor experience in an intelligent, low-profile, and highly accurate way that is revolutionizing the physical screening market.
Evolv selected Columbia Tech, a world class Time-to-Market Services™ provider specializing in product development, contract manufacturing and global fulfillment services to manufacture their product to scale.
Expanding Resources through a Time-To-Market Services™ Partnership
Evolv developed its revolutionary new product, Evolv Express®, to solve the issue of mounting weapons threats where people gather and long lines at security checkpoints. The Evolv Express system can screen more than 3,600 people per hour and doesn’t require stopping or even emptying of pockets or bags.
According to Richard Couto, Senior Director of Manufacturing Operations at Evolv Technology, Evolv realized early on the need for a trusted commercialization partner experienced in product development, new product introduction and scalable manufacturing services. After a successful collaboration on an earlier version of its touchless screening system, the Evolv Edge®, Evolv again partnered with Columbia Tech to help build, factory test and globally fulfill the new Evolv Express product.
“As an innovator, we must stay lean and move fast,” says Couto. “Columbia Tech has been a critical partner in scaling our team and helping us achieve manufacturing design validation, successful product launch, scalable manufacturing, and turn-key fulfillment of our screening systems. The close collaboration of our teams has enabled us to deliver on our mission of transforming security to enhance everyone’s life. This collaborative approach allows Evolv to stay acutely focused on our core competency…developing better security with a better experience.”
Collaboration from Concept to Commercialization
Aaron Sontag, Columbia Tech Engineering Project Manager, recalls the beginning of the project in early 2020 as a period “with many gears in motion.” Evolv continued to refine its product design to meet changing market needs, such as finalizing material selections and incorporating new features for use at sporting events, concerts and other venues that need fast and reliable outdoor security screening. Columbia Tech’s engineers worked in parallel with Evolv’s design team, using their expertise and flexible approach to implement production changes that would meet new product requirements quickly and efficiently.
“Columbia Tech has been a critical partner in scaling our team and helping us achieve manufacturing design validation, successful product launch, scalable manufacturing, and turn-key fulfillment of our screening systems. The close collaboration of our teams has enabled us to deliver on our mission of transforming security to enhance everyone’s life.”
Tom Mofford, Columbia Tech’s VP of Commercialization, shared, “We worked closely with the Evolv team to build the first iteration of the new design and start documenting the system to enable a seamless transition into our ISO certified production environment. Our experience in accelerated Time-to-Market Services™ and Scaled Product Launch™ helped Evolv overcome numerous obstacles, real-time, and deliver what we believe are the highest quality systems that met their customers’ requirements.”
Columbia Tech focused on creating precise, repeatable processes and detailed documentation as the manufacturing process moved forward, enabling greater efficiency, a 25% decrease in assembly time, and significant cost reduction.
Commercialization Personalized™ at Columbia Tech
“The big difference I find with Columbia Tech is that everything is in one place,” Couto explains. “They have printed circuit board capabilities, a core strength in pilot engineering, and they allow clients to work in their facility or onsite at the client’s facility, supporting deep and transparent collaboration. When we transition to manufacturing, there is flexibility to expand and contract the work cell, add additional resources on short notice, and continuously improve processes.”
When selecting a partner, culture compatibility and core value alignment were nearly as vital to the Evolv team as the development and manufacturing capabilities. Columbia Tech’s team-oriented culture, comprehensive time-to-market capabilities, and unique approach to Commercialization Personalized™ offered Evolv a partnership that they believed no other manufacturing partner could provide.
“The Evolv/Columbia Tech relationship truly exemplifies the combined power of collaboration and unique ability,” said Chris Coghlin, President and CEO² of Columbia Tech. He continued, “By leveraging our collective core competencies in the most transparent and trustworthy way imaginable, we have been able to accelerate commercialization speed and drive rapid scalability of a verified and validated product design.”
Evolv’s selection of Columbia Tech has allowed them to continue to remain focused on creating innovative security solutions while also extending their team and capabilities through a dedicated and successful partnership. Columbia Tech’s expertise in commercializing products, commitment to excellence and unmatched culture has been a great match for Evolv’s requirements. Together, they continue to work diligently on delivering leading-edge products to market, always keeping transparency, innovation, quality, and the customer experience at the forefront.
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