Hugh Firminger (1925 – 2007)
Co-founder

With his wife Hedda Firminger, Hugh Firminger was a co-founder of Hovertechnics, Inc. He retired from Hovertechnics in 2006. 

Hugh was a man of great drive, intelligence, and focus. He spent most of his life pursuing new challenges. He enjoyed living and traveling all over the world. These passions are reflected in his many business achievements.

Born in London, England, Hugh began his career serving in the British Army during WWII working in: the Special Air Services in the parachute operations, the Royal Armored Corps as a mechanical school instructor and the British Military Intelligence in Germany as a translator and interviewer.

After his military service, he worked for Dexion Ltd in London, England as a European Sales Representative until 1954.

In 1955, Hugh accepted the position of Sales Manager of the Engineering Division for Mason & Co. Ltd and moved to Trinidad in the West Indies. 

In 1958, he began working for Sandbach, Eckel & Co. as Sales Director of the Engineering Division also located in Trinidad.

Hugh began working for Clark International Marketing, S.A. in Brussels, Belgium as District Manager, Europe in 1961.  In 1965, he moved to Southwest Michigan when he was promoted to Vice President of Marketing.

He was then hired by Paccar International Inc, in Seattle, Washington as Executive Vice President and General Manager marketing Kenworth, Peterbilt, Dart, Carco and Gearmatic products internationally.

In 1980, he accepted the position of Vice President for Oshkosh Truck Corporation in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.  

In 1982, he moved to Brussels, Belgium when he was hired by the State of Michigan in the position of Director of European Operations, where he worked to promote European companies to establish manufacturing operations in Michigan.

Building upon his vast business experience, Hugh returned to southwest Michigan in 1984 to pursue his final and most rewarding career challenge of co-founding Hovertechnics, Inc with his wife, Hedda Firminger. Manufacturing started in a small location in New Buffalo before moving to a larger manufacturing plant in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Manufacturing continued there until 2002 when they expanded their operations again by moving to their current plant in Eau Claire, Michigan.

Initially, Hovertechnics, Inc. only manufactured the Hoverstar hovercraft model, but through Hugh’s passion for engineering and enthusiasm for meeting customers’ needs, they now produce 13 different models. Hugh felt it was particularly rewarding to design and manufacture rescue hovercraft that Fire and Sheriffs’ Departments worldwide have used to save lives. Additionally, he was very proud of Hovertechnics’s innovative collaboration with the US Geological survey and MPI Drilling which resulted in the Hoverprobe 2000.  This commercial hovercraft has made drill sampling possible in previously inaccessible areas.

Through his focus on personal customer service, including traveling worldwide to meet and train customers, Hugh established an international market for recreational, rescue, and utility hovercraft.

In 2006, he retired from Hovertechnics to spend more time with his family.