Hi Buddy,
I'm not sure running an engine development firm in Florida might not be a good move, but you would have to do it intelligently.
Every winter the "snowbirds" migrate from Michigan to Florida and back up north in the spring. These are retirees who no longer tolerate the cold as readily but still enjoy the northern regions during the rest of the year. Naturally, many of these are retirees from Ford, GM, Chrysler, Delphi, Johnson Controls, Allison, Valeo, Kellogg and any one of literally thousands of auto industry suppliers. Just as naturally, some of these are engineers.
It might take some diligent effort but I would bet it would be possible to advertise with the SAE, in newspapers and other engineering journals for part time engineering talent. You might even get it at something of a bargain as these folks don't worry a lot about pension or healthcare contributions and might simply be happy to exercise their skills on a part time basis.
Make no doubt about it, these people would have training, experience and expertise far above what you will find at any Cyclone operation. There are people who are expert in reciprocating engine development, thermodynamics, engine electronic management systems, NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness), engineering program management, product testing and all phases of manufacturing.
This is the kind of talent Cyclone seems to have studiously avoided for years. I doubt you could hire very many on a full time basis, they DID elect to retire, but Cyclone doesn't have the kind of budget that would permit bringing on a large staff. They also can't afford to develop more than one product at a time, though I am not sure they have figured that out yet, and most of these people were employed to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
I'll admit, there would be a lot more advantages to relocating northwards....I'd pick a Detroit suburb simply because that area has the largest concentration of powertrain suppliers anywhere. But if you want to try to go it on the cheap, there might be something to be said for a southern strategy.
Wanna take bets they don't even try it?
Tom
