Today we’d like to introduce you to Ross Magers.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Ross. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started model making for the toy industry in 1990 after trying my hand in the culinary arts business. It turns out that I like to eat more than I like to cook. As luck would have it my father had been designing toys for more than 20 years and needed some help. I have had a passion for all things mechanical since I was young. Taking things apart to see how they work was endless fun.
In middle school, a local bike shop hired me part time, building and repairing bicycles. After 15+ years of running the repair department, I thought it was time to try something new. Though my love of bicycles has diminished some with age, I still marvel at the simple mechanics and the joy it brings to many.
I ventured out on my own in 2007 and haven’t looked back. I have been designing and building mechanical prototypes for over 20 years and have amassed a sizable knowledge of how things work. This ranges from being able to manipulate plastics, light machining, molding in different mediums, and fabrications. To build a working prototype from a simple drawing or verbal description has been a difficult skill to master. Development is not an exact science, and can take time, and trial and error to get things to work in their intended way.
I am a one man operation who develops all prototypes in house and by hand. Everything is done as a one-of-a-kind item and if multiples are required molds will need to be made. Sadly I do not have the capability of programming electronics.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
In my experience, there is never a smooth road. You get out of work what you put into it. There have been many sleepless nights and long weekends just trying to figure out what to do next. A small business like this takes work, dedication and sacrifice if you wish to be successful. Though having a business like mine can be a day to day challenge it also is very rewarding seeing a project come to market.
Magers Products – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
This is a tough question because I do so many different things. In a nutshell, I build working presentation prototypes for inventors in the toy industry but I have done so many other things. Kind of a jack of all trades sort of guy. From product design, computer aided design, 3d printing, custom molding, casting, vacuforming, light machining, painting, mechanical design, packaging to research and development. I really enjoy the challenges presented by an inventor, contractor or just someone that comes through my door with a “How can I do this?” kind of problem.
My most “proud of” product would have to be “Sing-a-ma-jigs” by Fisher Price. I had a lot of input into that item, helping steer it towards the final presentation product, which ultimately became a high-selling toy. It was a collaboration of many great minds coming together and working as a team.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
How do I define success? I tell my kids that success isn’t about having a nice car or big fancy house or even a fat bank account, it’s waking up every morning looking forward to the challenges of the day. Being happy in a job that you love and making reasonable living is much better than playing the who has “more” game. I especially enjoy having the flexibility of being able to pick and choose my projects. My experience has allowed me to identify when ideas will or will not work early in the process; I believe that knowledge is a solid asset to prospective clients. I would rather see a client have a successful and potentially marketable idea/product, than charge a client for ideas that I believe will not mechanically (or otherwise) make it to the next level. I don’t want to waste my clients (or my) time and money.
Contact Info:
- Address: 36 Mitchell Road 2nd floor
Ipswich, MA. 01938 - Website: www.magersproducts.com
- Phone: 9787-337-8106
- Email: Ross@magersproducts.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ross.magers
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ross-magers-120834a/
Image Credit:
Mager Products, M Design, Shell Bradburry design, The Study Hotel
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