Ekba Inc. Steers Toward Genesis

Ed Lewis, president of Ekba Inc. in Ashdown, has approached the University of Arkansas’ Genesis Technology Incubator in Fayetteville about becoming one of its clients. Ekba makes accessories for aluminum fishing boats including technology products related to automatic trim controls and boat lighting.

Ekba’s four partners have invested about $200,000 in the startup, which became incorporated in May 2001 and employs 14 people.

The arrangement, which Genesis Director Bob Friedman said likely will happen, would make Ekba the prototype for Genesis Connections — a developing statewide economic initiative designed to electronically disseminate research support to companies throughout the state. Essentially, it would allow companies to become Genesis clients without having to physically locate at the UA College of Engineering’s research center off South School Avenue.

Partners for the program include the UA, Genesis, Arkansas Capital Corp., the Arkansas Department of Economic Development, the UA Technology Logistics Institute and many others. Genesis Connections is applying for a $600,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to cover its operation.

Ekba is already a client of the incubator at Ashdown’s Cossatot Community College, which in July became part of the UA System.

But Lewis said Genesis could offer his business more in-depth support than the community college. Specifically, he said, the marketing research and product stress and vibration analysis available for a fee through Genesis would be invaluable to Ekba.

The company is still in an R&D phase and has not yet realized any sales. It has seven product designs — primarily for interchangeable components such as clampable duck hunting blinds, gun boxes, dry storage containers and beverage holders — that already are protected by pending patents.

But Lewis said more than 30 more designs are ready for implementation pending support. The designs, he said, would be compatible with 85 percent of the aluminum hunting and fishing boats in use today.

But Ekba also will develop its own line of boats that Lewis said will “assemble just like Leggos.” The company hopes to keep its manufacturing facility in Ashdown.

“You’ll be able to snap together anything you need for any sport you’re doing,” Lewis said. “If you want to take four seats, you can snap them right in or get two of them out of the way. It’s about arranging the boat the way you want it for comfort and convenience.”

Lewis, who started tinkering with Ekba’s line of products five years ago, said he expects the company to have 50 employees within a year. Ekba buys nearly all of its materials from Arkansas-based or -owned companies.

Friedman said if Genesis can successfully serve Ekba through distance incubation, then other such collaborations throughout the state will be sought. Friedman said he is not worried the service will discourage potential clients from actually locating at Genesis.

Six years ago, the incubator had 5,000 SF leased to clients, and now 30,000 SF is occupied, including 7,000 SF taken just this year.