From Prototype to Perfection: How Vyper Industrial Built a Better Shop Stool

For Dylan and Dayne Rusch, it was never really a question: they were going to make something special. Growing up, their father, Chris, wasn't just someone who tinkered in a garage. He was a master metal worker, and his company, Rusch Machine & Design, became a real leader in the industry. Seeing his dedication and the success it brought instilled a strong sense of "can-do" in his children.

The Rusch brothers saw their father in his garage constantly, and he was always supported by shoddy shop stools. So, their dad did what any good craftsman would do: he decided to make his own.

Vyper Industrial was founded in 2020, and they’ve gained a quick reputation for making the best stool that ever was. Their high-quality work is supported by DN Solutions and Ellison Technologies.

Chris needed a reliable stool for his TIG welding station, so he whipped one up himself. Once the prototype was done, the brothers were surprised by how unique the style and design were. They made a few tweaks of their own and put it up for sale. They created a website, took to social media and instantly saw that the demand was clearly there.

“Starting the business during COVID when people were confined to their garages probably helped,” Dylan said. “Social media drove our business and chairs started selling. What we created was a cool spin on a garage shop brand. It kept gaining traction and sales.”

With that exciting growth came some headaches. Vyper started out by outsourcing everything, which led to long lead times and reduced cost-effectiveness. “We were at the mercy of our vendors,” Dylan said. But Dylan also had a father who had been singing the praises of DN Solutions and Ellison for years.

Chris had fallen in love with DN Solutions machines during his time at Rusch Machine & Design. He had tried Japanese, American and Taiwanese builders as well, but DN always came out on top.

“There was no question that Vyper would have DN machines,” Dylan said. “We knew Ron Ditter at Ellison from Dad’s last company, and he was huge in helping set us up with our own equipment. We showed him the parts we needed and he gave us the right stuff. He never sold us more than we needed.”

A Lynx 2600Y turning center came to Vyper first in 2022, followed soon after by a bar feeder to make parts overnight. “That Lynx makes the center pentagon hub, which is the core of the chair. It's made from 6061 aluminum, which is high quality for a consumer product,” Dylan said.

One shift is manned, and thanks to the bar feeder, it continues to make parts through the night. “Cycle time started at 9 minutes, but with Ellison’s help, we’ve gotten it down to 6:40.”

Reinforcements Arrive: Increased Capacity with Machine #2

In 2023, Vyper realized they needed another machine for the other parts of the chair, including the complex quick height hub. They ordered an identical Lynx 2600Y that summer, this time with a bar feeder from the start.

“The machines have been fantastic. Zero problems so far,” Dylan said. “And the Monitor Mode has been huge when running lights out. It alerts us when a tool wears down and shuts the machine off if a tool breaks. It’s already saved us a few times.”

Efficiency at its Finest

With two Lynx turning centers in place and the expertise of Ellison Technologies supporting them, Vyper is flying high. “We spec’d different tooling and even made some custom tooling. Ellison helped get everything dialed in. Our tool life is outstanding,” Dylan said.

“I can’t say enough about Dean and Tim, our service guys at Ellison. When they were training us, they didn’t leave until it was all running smoothly. And now, we can text them any time with a question or an issue and they take care of it right there on the phone.”

Vyper: A Future Full of Potential

With the two Lynx machines running like clockwork, Vyper has its eye on another machine. It could be another lathe, might be a vertical machining center. Time will tell. One thing is certain: “We’re 100% going back to Ron, Ellison and DN Solutions,” said Dylan.

“Vyper Industrial is growing, hiring people, developing new products. We just hired a new CNC operator and just launched a new shop cart product. Our employees feel like they’re part of something and are making stylish, useful things that people love. So far, we haven’t had issues hiring and retention has been strong.”

Building a bright future for your business requires the right tools and the right partners. Ellison Technologies, a leading distributor of advanced machining solutions, empowers companies like Vyper to achieve their goals. Our comprehensive support and cutting-edge equipment keep businesses at the forefront of innovation. Just like Vyper's successful partnership with Ellison and DN, countless others have discovered the value of working with us.

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