Ken Hoffer

Ken Hoffer grew up in South Orange, NJ. He attended college at New York University, joined the Air Force and was in service for 4 years where he learned much about electronic engineering. He then became the production manager at Potter Aeronautical. Potter closed their doors in 1968. At this time Ken began doing repairs on equipment for customers out of his garage. His work grew and he founded Hoffer Flow Controls, Inc. in 1969. Needing to expand, due to continued growth, Ken moved the business from Union, NJ to Elizabeth City, NC in 1990, where they continue to operate today.

For the first ten years in business, Hoffer Flow Controls specialized in cryogenic flow measurement systems. Hoffer pioneered the use of the turbine flowmeter in cryogenics. Today Hoffer Flow Controls manufactures high precision turbine flowmeters, not only for the cryogenic industry but is a world leader in turbine flowmeter technology for the measurement of clean liquids and gases throughout the processing industries.

Technical Achievements:

• Pioneered the use of self-lubricated ball bearings in turbine flowmeters.
• Developed the first HART-enabled device to receive official certification by the HART Foundation.
• Created the first portable field calibration system for cryogenic flowmeters.
• Developed the first and only turbine flowmeter to receive certification by the US Navy for use in nuclear propulsion service as well as to pass shock and vibration certification for unrestricted naval shipboard applications.
• Pioneered the use of hybrid ceramic ball bearings for increased bearing life and operating temperature range.
• Developed multiple generations of advanced flow transmitters and flow computers for broad ranges of applications and industries including other legal-for-trade applications including hydrocarbon liquids, liquefied natural gas, natural gas, caustics, and acids.
• Developed the first all-Teflon turbine flowmeter for aggressive and ultra-pure chemical services.
• Together with Scarpa and Hayman was issued a patent for Dual Rotor Flowmeter in 1999.

Awards and Honors:

• North Carolina Small Business Exporter of the Year – 1997
• Schlumberger GOLD Level Supplier – Multiple years
• “Control” Magazine – Readers’ Choice Award Winner – Multiple years
• US Navy – Distinguished Supplier Award for maintained ballast flow control flow measurement onboard the USS Cole following its bombing in October 2000 that was critical to the ship’s survival

MCAA inducted Ken Hoffer into The Measurement, Control and Automation Hall of Fame in April 2019 in Tucson, AZ.