Mitch and Brian Olson of Olson Custom Designs (OCD) recently shared their remarkable journey of grit, adaptability, and relentless focus in building their manufacturing business with Paul from Machine Shop Mastery Podcast. From humble beginnings in the racing world to becoming an industry leader in precision machining, the Olson brothers’ story is a masterclass in perseverance and strategic growth.
1. From Racing to Manufacturing: A Grit-Fueled Start
Background: Both Mitch and Brian transitioned from the racing industry, where they honed their skills in fabrication and problem-solving. This experience instilled a culture of resilience and adaptability.
Starting Small: The brothers launched OCD in 2014 with no prior CNC machining experience. They financed their first machines—a mill and lathe—and learned the craft through trial, error, and countless late nights.
2. Strategic Growth through Partnerships
Early Clients: Initial customers came from the racing industry, but the brothers quickly expanded their reach by building relationships with industrial and aerospace clients.
Client-Centric Approach: The Olsons emphasized the importance of growing with their customers, offering scalable solutions and investing in new equipment to meet evolving demands.
3. Operational Excellence: Facilities and Culture
Clean and Organized: Drawing inspiration from racing shops, the brothers created a pristine, state-of-the-art facility. The clean, organized environment fosters professionalism and efficiency.
Team Building: OCD cultivates a collaborative team culture, emphasizing transparency, open communication, and opportunities for growth. The result is a highly motivated workforce, with employees frequently advancing from entry-level roles to leadership positions.
4. Leveraging Technology and Continuous Improvement
Advanced Machinery: Over the years, OCD has invested in five-axis mills, horizontal machining centers, and multi-axis turning equipment, focusing on efficiency and precision.
Culture of Learning: By integrating CAD/CAM systems directly on the shop floor and encouraging hands-on learning, employees are empowered to upskill continuously.
Continuous Improvement: Weekly meetings ensure ongoing dialogue about enhancing processes, with actionable plans assigned and tracked.
5. Tackling Growth Challenges
Recruitment: To address labor challenges, OCD partners with local schools and vocational programs. Their focus on providing a clean, high-tech environment attracts young talent.
Three Shifts, One Vision: Successfully managing three shifts, OCD uses overlapping schedules and detailed shift handoff notes to maintain seamless production.
6. Certifications and Industry Expansion
Building Credibility: OCD pursued ISO certifications early on, opening doors to aerospace, medical, and defense industries. Recently, they achieved ISO 13485 for medical device manufacturing, aligning with their growth strategy.
Adapting to Market Needs: As opportunities arose, OCD secured ITAR registration and began preparing for CMMC compliance, staying ahead of industry requirements.
7. Keys to Success
Customer Commitment: “We grow with our customers,” says Mitch. OCD is relentless in meeting client needs, delivering on promises, and ramping up production when necessary.
Resilience: Their journey underscores the importance of perseverance, learning from setbacks, and embracing calculated risks.
Closing Thoughts
OCD’s meteoric rise is a testament to the Olsons’ unwavering commitment to excellence, their strategic investments in people and technology, and their ability to adapt and innovate. For new shops, their advice is clear: focus on relationships, take calculated risks, and never stop improving.
Listen to the podcast in it’s entirety below: