Exploring Life & Business with Michael Myhal of TMI

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Myhal. 

Hi Michael, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My path to becoming involved in the company was truly unexpected. I originally began going to college in the NEOUCOM (now NEOMED) physician program right out of high school. My father, who had lost his job as a design engineer for a local hose manufacturer that shut down, had the opportunity to purchase a small portion of a molded rubber business that was moving out of the area. I was 3 years into my schooling when I took the summer off school to assist him set that business up and before you know it, that turned into a year. In that time, the company gained market share due to the personalized attention we were able to give to the few customers we had. Very quickly, it became apparent to me that the company could become a very viable alternative career. By 1996, my father retired early, and I took over the company at that time. From 1996 to 1999, sales doubled, and I had to move the company to a larger location with better infrastructure, leading us in 2000 to the location we are now. I eventually became sole owner of the company and then in 2006, expanded the building again to our current 35,000 square feet. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The adage, “Nothing worthwhile is ever easy,” is not just a cliché. Owning any type of business requires you are on top of things 24/7. It is not a 9-5 job or something that you can go home at night and put out of mind. As I previously mentioned, we moved into our new location in October of 2000, and one year later, 9/11 occurred. At the time, about 60% of our business was related to the aerospace industry, so yes, we really took it on the chin for about 2 years after the move. However, we continued to diversify, and then we expanded again in 2006/2007, only to be then be hit by the real estate collapse were once again, two steps forward, one step back. Then, as everyone can relate recently, the Covid shutdowns and restrictions hit us like everyone else. However, I think our previous challenges and what we learned from them helped us navigate Covid better, and we have emerged stronger and healthier than we have ever been. 

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
TMI, Inc is an industry leader in custom-engineered and molded rubber products. We utilize nearly every raw material available in the industry and serve customers in the aerospace, hydraulics, pneumatics, pump, electronics, health care, and even consumer industries, we are ISO certified, and also comply with many other industry-specific regulations and requirements. The commitment to excellence extends from our first contact with a potential customer all the way through product development and end-use. Our staff has decades of combined experience, and employee retention speaks volumes on the atmosphere of their dedication and service. 

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up.
During most of my elementary school years, I lived in a very rural community with a dairy farm surrounding the house. There was a creek, a pond, woods, and wildlife all around me into which I was so grateful to be immersed. I would never consider trade those experiences away for anything. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.teamtmi.com

Image Credits
AC Jones