The following was published in West Coast Way Magazine, October 2024

Mission Design & Automation is a custom automation systems integrator right here in Holland. The team at Mission conceptualizes, designs, builds, programs, and installs custom advanced manufacturing equipment and systems for a variety of industries across North America, including automotive, construction, consumer goods, defense, e-commerce & logistics, food & beverage, housing, medical device, and more. If you’ve ever seen the show How it’s Made, it’s kind of like that – essentially, we make machines that make things you use in everyday life. Being a custom systems integrator means having a strong engineering expertise and teaming up with customers to deliver custom tailored  engineered solutions that help reach their challenging and ever-changing manufacturing goals. Mission has grown to be a world-class automation leader, and with their commitment to helping employees, customers, and community thrive, they truly embody business excellence.

What makes Mission Different?

Walk through the doors of Mission Design & Automation, and you’ll instantly feel welcomed. Mission prides itself on being intentional about how employees feel when they are at work, and how they feel on Sunday night, before coming in on Monday . Our mission statement, “Deliver great experiences and solutions through a culture of innovation and teamwork,” rings true from the top level of leadership to our newest employees and young staff, some still in high school. One thing we believe truly sets us apart is our company culture. We know our most valuable asset, our employees, walk out the door every at night, so we’re intentional about cultivating a place where people enjoy working, feel engaged, and have a passionate mindset for solving complex problems, and  with room to grow. One way we foster a great culture is by implementing training plans for employees , with over half of our company going through comprehensive leadership development training, as well as  including offering cross-departmental training so team members get a well-rounded understanding of what other departments do. We also encourage team outings and team building activities to enhance trust and belonging on the team, and we gather for weekly all-team meetings with a focus on shoutouts to celebrate team or departmental wins.

Our team also is known for taking on some of the more unique and challenging manufacturing applications. We don’t shy away when there’s not a quick “off-the-shelf”   solution to a manufacturing process, in fact, that’s when we really sharpen our pencils and get to work. When a customer comes to us with a great concept, especially one that we know the world needs, such as helping with food shortages or the housing crisis, we’re going to do what we can to help them make that happen and find success in doing so.

We’re not a one-size-fits-all kind of place, just as the manufacturing industry is vast and has infinite possibilities for future transformation, we know that there are many ways to automate different manufacturing processes. Some of the ways we help manufacturers achieve their goals are through robotics process automation, conveyance, palletization, quality inspections, packaging, material handling, assembly, and more.

Tell us about Mission Design & Automation’s journey to Excellence.

Starting in 2004, Mission has grown from a small machine tool builder in a garage, expanding into one suite of an industrial business space in 2009, and continuing to grow into that full building through 2020, when, growing alongside our customers required us to expand into a new 53,750sqft facility, which we opened in 2021. As technology has advanced, the need for safer, faster, and more high-quality manufacturing solutions has grown, and our team has grown in parallel to enable this success and industry growth.

With 20 years under our belt developing custom automation solutions and growing with the automation industry, Mission makes it their business to understand exactly what makes their customers excel, and partners alongside them to achieve just that. Together, they work to develop new ways to use automation to make production environments safer, more productive, and more profitable. As technology changes and more companies adapt  automation, we’re eager for the future, from large scale turn-key systems, to more simple one-task stand-alone stations. One thing we’re excited about is that access to automation is becoming more readily available to small-to-midsize companies than ever before. We’ve been busy developing adaptable, affordable, and easy-to-use collaborative robot systems, like The Buddy System, that enable those without engineering experience to program and employ robots to help curb the burden of labor shortages.

At Mission, we know that to be a thriving business, you must be an active community contributor and we take that commitment seriously. We take pride in partnering with educational institutions all over Michigan to provide internship and co-op opportunities to students just starting out in their engineering journeys. We also know that we can change pathways for students much younger than the collegiate level, so we welcome tours of our facility and participate in programs like Manufacturing Week and CareerQuest, to help inform students of all ages about the many careers in advanced manufacturing. We’re also avid supporters of local FIRST Robotics teams, helping students hone their skills in robotics building, programming, and performance. Over the years, we’ve found ways to support our local community in different ways, from painting murals for Zeeland’s Pumpkinfest and participating in the annual Tulip Time parades, to volunteering time and financial support. In 2023, we established the Mission Impact Team, a dedicated, employee-driven team that organizes fundraisers and volunteering for local nonprofits, and fun team building opportunities for our employees.

What does the 2024 Excellence Award mean to Mission Design & Automation?

The Mission Design & Automation team is so honored to be named the 2024 Excellence Award winner by the Michigan West Coast Chamber. We believe that by holding true to our values, staying committed to what is important to our employees, customers, and in our community, we will continue to embody excellence and provide solutions that transform the future.