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Goals
KOP's team of experts represents more than 55 years of
combined experience in the automotive industry—with
specific training in performance, design and production. KOP
intends to set a new standard for quality in the outdoor
industry using manufacturing concepts that are based on the
Toyota production system. With a goal of introducing two new
products each year, Davis and his team look forward to
bringing to outdoor enthusiasts worldwide a multiple of HOOT®
accessories, along with merchandise that is both original
and ingenious.
History
The Hoot's patented torque grip
drive system—which eliminates the need
for a transmission—was perfected in 1994, ending Bob Neary's
nearly two-decade-long mission to create an amphibious ATV that was light, reliable,
simple to work on, small enough to fit on a mid-size pick-up truck and stable on
both land
and water.
Neary's quest began in the late 1970s. From his home
workshop in Canada, he spent many long hours experimenting
with four amphibious ATVs, testing various four-stroke and
two-stroke engines in combination with a variety of
transmissions. Combinations included:
- Front wheel steer, rear drive with rear engine
- Front wheel steer, rear wheel drive with front engine
- Rear wheel steer with front wheel drive with front engine
- Rear wheel steer with mid engine and rear drive
Eventually, he tested a skid steer mechanism, but found
old-fashioned skid steer systems were too heavy for safe
balancing over steep inclines and in water; too complex for
ease of maintenance; and too wide to meet easy portability
standards. It was obvious to Neary that new technology had
to be developed.
The result, in 1994, was the Hoot's patented Torque Grip™
drive system, which eliminated the need for a transmission.
It consisted of two swing arms that control the right or
left set of wheels and work on the principle of action and
reaction. The system was not only simple, but worked well
and was very dependable.
After six more years of development, Neary achieved his
objective. The result is a new and exciting concept in
six-wheel drive, amphibious ATVs. In fact, this cutting edge
piece of equipment is more than an All Terrain Vehicle –
it’s an Extreme Terrain Vehicle: the HOOT® ETV™.
How do we know the Hoot® lives up to our
expectations? Because our customers tell us!
Go here to read what our customers have to say.
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Meet Our Team
Brian Bishop, Engineering
Manager
 Brian Bishop holds a Bachelor of Science in
Mechanical Engineering Technology from the
University of Tennessee. He brings 12 years of
experience from the automotive supply industry
to Knox Outdoor Products.
Brian came to KOP because he realized the
potential of this new company and its initial
product offering, the Hoot. He also welcomed the
challenge of starting up a new manufacturing
facility. As a bonus, this opportunity was close
to home, in an area where he has strong roots.
“The Hoot is an interesting new product for the
outdoor recreation, industrial, agricultural and
other environments that fills a current void in
the market,” he said.
A lover of the outdoors, Brian spends his spare
time racing cars, hunting or fishing.
Chris Cobb, Operations Manager
 Chris Cobb graduated from the University of
Tennessee with a BS in
Mechanical Engineering Technology.
He honed his skills for 15 years at Plumley
Companies (later acquired by DANA Corporation)
He attained a well-rounded background with
experience in a variety of manufacturing
disciplines including cost
estimating/accounting, new product development,
product design and manufacturing operations
management. Chris actively participated in
DANA’s quality leadership process and is a
certified Six Sigma Black Belt.
When Chris was approached with the opportunity
to work at Knox Outdoor Products on the Hoot, he
seized the opportunity to manage a small
manufacturing operation using disciplines from
the automotive supply industry. “I feel that
this business can grow into a large and unique
company,” he said. “It’s great to be a part of
something like that.”
Cobb considers the Hoot to be a unique machine
that brings something to the ATV market that is
currently missing. “The Hoot is light weight,
compact and agile. It’s fun to ride and doesn’t
tire you out, plus it floats. What’s not to
love?”
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