Touching Lives by Being an Engineer

Welcome to the Being an Engineer podcast. Today, we're speaking with Andy Wells, owner and CEO of Wells Technology Manufacturing Company in Minnesota. Andy has degrees in physics and technology and decades of practical experience in design, materials, processes, and entrepreneurship. Over the years, Wells Technology has expanded from aerospace to automotive, medical, defense, and food processing, developing services in distribution and training for manufacturing technologists.

Aaron Moncur: Andy, thank you so much for being with us today.

Andy Wells: You are most welcome. It’s an honor to be here.

Aaron: What made you decide to enter the field of engineering and manufacturing?

Andy: I was born into it, in a way. Growing up on a very poverty-stricken farm on the Indian Reservation, we had a lot of old machinery. From a young age, I was around my dad, learning how to use tools, then starting to take things apart—old clocks, stuff like that. That curiosity and creativity led to early inventions. Because we lived on a tight budget, the toys we had were simple, often just blocks of wood. As I got older, I started building go-karts, motor scooters, boats, and other mechanical things. Those experiences were the beginning steps that led to my career.

Aaron: You mentioned creativity, which I hear a lot from skilled engineers. Do you think creativity can be developed, or do you either have it or you don’t?

Andy: I think most people have it, especially when they’re young, playing with boxes and simple things. Unfortunately, nowadays, the toy industry has made toys so realistic that people don’t need creativity as much. But for me, creativity stayed interesting, so I kept nurturing it. Even today, I create puzzles and other things to keep my mind fresh.

Aaron: Is there anything you remember inventing as a child that was useful to your family?

Andy: When I was about seven, I noticed some screws were Phillips and others slotted, requiring different screwdrivers. So I made a dual-purpose screwdriver using an old rifle cartridge. You could swap out the heads. That was one of my early inventions. Now, those screwdrivers are in every hardware store, but back then, if we had known how to commercialize it, it could have been a hit.

Aaron: Growing up on a farm, you designed various things. When did you realize that a formal education could help take your skills to the next level?

Andy: I was in my late teens, just turning 20, when I left the farm and got an industrial job at Polaris Industries, a nearby factory that made snowmobiles. I brought along photos of the go-karts and other things I’d made, and the president of Polaris, who was a creative person himself, saw something in me. He hired me as an apprentice, and I worked in the engineering department, doing drawings and eventually developing a prototype snowmobile with the motor in the front. After that, the president advised me to go back to school, so I pursued a college education in physics, which turned out to be very valuable.

Aaron: What were some of the key things you learned at university that proved helpful in your career?

Andy: The science and math basics—things like pressure, temperature, volume, and basic formulas—are useful in many aspects of engineering. Beyond that, being around other people in the field encouraged camaraderie. I also gained practical experience, like building rockets with chemistry students. That hands-on experimentation helped me gain confidence and skills I could use in my career.

Aaron: After university, you worked in academia and as an industrial consultant for about 20 years. Then, in the late 1980s, you founded Wells Technology as an aerospace manufacturing business. What were some things you did in the beginning to reduce risk?

Andy: Moving from employee to entrepreneur is a big step. You need deep desire and support from your family. My wife was very supportive. My son, who was 12, also helped me with the business. We started with $1,300, which wasn’t much, but I tried different products, like air-powered scissors and knives for the chicken industry, which helped us gain traction. Integrity is critical—you have to do what you say you’re going to do to build trust with suppliers, customers, and employees.

Aaron: That’s excellent advice. For those interested in starting their own manufacturing business, do you have any specific advice?

Andy: Be willing to do things for free initially, like prototypes or first models, to prove your capabilities. My son and I would work weekends, take turns running the machines, and deliver parts ourselves if needed. Building good relationships and a reputation for reliability are essential. We also make extra parts and keep them in inventory in case customers need them later, which builds trust and goodwill.

Aaron: When you first started Wells Technology, you had pneumatic shears and were also doing job shop work. Is that right?

Andy: Yes, and I eventually sold the patents for those shears to buy our first CNC machine. Equipment is expensive, and banks were initially hesitant to lend to us. But as we sold more shears and built our reputation, they started to take an interest.

Aaron: You’ve talked about the importance of relationships and integrity. Do you have any advice on design for manufacturability (DFM) for engineers who may not have direct manufacturing experience?

Andy: Engineers should be humble and ask suppliers for input on designs. For example, sometimes a very small fillet radius or tight tolerance isn’t necessary and drives up costs. Being open to adjustments can help save time and money. Tighter tolerances or intricate designs can be costly, so it’s good to collaborate with the people who will actually produce the parts.

Aaron: That’s great insight. By 2004, Wells Technology had grown significantly, and you decided to give back by starting a social engineering project to help people who needed a second chance in life. Could you tell us more about that?

Andy: As we grew, we needed skilled workers, but our rural area made it hard to find them. Many local people who applied didn’t have a formal education, or they had past legal issues. I realized they needed a second chance, so we started training people who came from challenging backgrounds. Some of them had no skills or had dropped out of high school, but they learned quickly and were very loyal. Eventually, we moved some equipment into a poverty-stricken area to make training more accessible, offering $15 an hour to train people who could walk to the facility. Today, about 33% of our employees come from that program.

Aaron: That’s a powerful initiative. You mentioned earlier that engineering, for you, is about making life better for others. Could you elaborate?

Andy: Engineering isn’t just about applying science or technology; it’s about creating a way of life that helps people find happiness through developing character, visualizing goals, and achieving something meaningful. Helping others succeed is the real joy in life.

Aaron: That’s a beautiful perspective. Lastly, what is one thing within your role as an engineer that brings you joy, and one thing that frustrates you?

Andy: The frustration comes from the need to be patient. Some things just take time, like waiting for supplies or getting a team on board with an idea. But the joy comes from seeing the positive impact of my work, whether it’s helping an employee succeed or developing a product that makes life easier for someone else.

Aaron: Andy, this has been the most uplifting episode I’ve recorded. Thank you for sharing your background, wisdom, and insights with us. I deeply appreciate it.

Andy: Thank you for the opportunity.