James Muchichu and Patrick Wambugu are living out their dreams. From humble beginnings as employees in a foreign country, they have embarked on an inspiring journey, both for themselves and their loved ones.
Their company, Mid Missouri Tool and Plastics, stands as a testament to their determination and entrepreneurial spirit. Specializing in the manufacturing of vehicle parts for leading automotive brands such as Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and Mercedes, their business has flourished into a multimillion-shilling enterprise.
The idea to transition from employees to business owners came to fruition when Muchichu, serving as President, approached his compatriot Wambugu while they were both residing in the US. Together, they seized the opportunity to pursue their entrepreneurial aspirations.
Their vision materialized when a friend, seeking retirement, offered to sell them his company. With this acquisition, Muchichu and Wambugu transformed their dreams into reality, laying the foundation for their remarkable success story.
“I did a Bachelor of Science in agricultural engineering and graduated in 2002, and then in 2003 I relocated to the US, where I came on a student visa to do my master's degree in industrial technology,” Muchichu narrated.
After completing a degree in Industry Technology in 2004, and graduating with his master’s degree in 2005, Muchichu joined the manufacturing environment with his career spanning from a technician to an engineer in various companies.
“I found an investor who used to be my supplier had an interest in selling his business because he was getting ready to retire and I showed some interest,” he added.
The vice president, Wambugu, joined hands with Michichu in 2016 when they both started saving in one bank account towards opening a company one day.
“What happened was, I lost my apartment and job and I didn’t have a place to work and I all wanted to do was get into the business world,” Wambugu stated.
Mid-Missouri Tools and Plastics was established in 2009 with operations beginning in 2014, focusing on the manufacturing of acoustic parts. These components are instrumental in reducing vehicle noise levels and filtering dust, thereby enhancing the overall driving experience.
With a workforce exceeding twenty employees, the company specialises in producing a range of C-class car parts, catering primarily to US-based Japanese automotive companies. Through its dedication to quality and innovation, Mid-Missouri Tools and Plastics has positioned itself as a reputable supplier in the automotive industry.
"We are tier two, so how it works is we call the original equipment manufacturers(OEMs), and sell them the parts," the president explained.
The duo is now seeking to give opportunities to Kenyans living in the US, with experience in Manufacturing and Engineering.
