In 1995, brothers Mike and Tommy Mathisen launched Mass Finishing Inc. (MFI) with a simple idea and an unstoppable drive: to build better solutions for precision surface finishing. What started in a small shop in Delano, Minnesota, has grown into a trusted industry leader, serving manufacturers across medical, aerospace, dental, firearms, and racing industries with world-class finishing equipment and unmatched customer support.
Now, as we celebrate 30 incredible years, we honor the people, partnerships, and passion that have shaped our journey. From the early days of hand-drawing machine designs to becoming a global name in high-energy mass finishing, every milestone has been built on the foundation of innovation, commitment to quality, and the family spirit that still defines MFI today.
As part of this celebration, we sat down with MFI’s founders Mike and Tommy Mathisen, one of our first employees Paul Zellman, longtime General Manager Marci Theisen and Cole Mathisen — Mike’s son, Tommy’s nephew, and MFI’s current Sales & Marketing Manager — to reflect on the road we’ve traveled and share a few memories, lessons, and hopes for the future.
Because at MFI, it’s not just about the parts we polish. It’s about the people we support, the industries we strengthen, and the future we continue to build — together.
From Humble Beginnings
Mike and Tommy Mathisen – Founders of Mass Finishing Inc. (MFI)
Before MFI was a recognized name in mass finishing, it was a bold idea and a $1 deal. “Around 1988 Tommy and I started MTM Deburring and Finishing Co.,” said Mike Mathisen. “We would do sideline work… and started making PVC work stations for Timesavers.” When Timesavers decided to sell its mass finishing division, the brothers made their move. “After a long negotiation, we agreed on a $1.00 for the Company and $70,000.00 for the inventory in 1995. A deal too good to pass up!”
Tommy recalled that the motivation came down to independence. “The motivation was being our own bosses.”
Starting out wasn’t without risk. Mike left a stable job, benefits, and a company truck. “Also taking out an SBA loan with very little collateral!” he added. But their persistence and scrappiness paid off. “When we started ordering 40-foot containers of machines filled front to back — that was a sign!” Mike said, reflecting on the moment he realized MFI was gaining traction.
Building a Legacy
In those early days, success wasn’t just built on machines — it was built on people. Paul Zellman, one of MFI’s very first employees, remembered how he got involved: “I was friends with Tommy and doing cement work and farming at the time… he asked if I would be interested in helping. I did and have been here ever since.”
The MFI Team in 2022 with a happy customer.
The culture was as hands-on as it was close-knit. “The work environment was fun,” Paul said. “We all worked well together and got along and joked around a lot.”
Marci Theisen, who would go on to become General Manager, remembers a similar vibe: “The culture at MFI in the early days was a very laid back and playful culture… A sense of humor and creativity was just as important as productivity!”
As MFI grew, so did its people. “After 29 years, it’s more than just a job to me,” Marci shared. “I grew up with this company… watching it evolve and being part of that journey… has been one of the most meaningful experiences to me.”
Milestones That Made Us
Over the last 30 years, MFI’s story has been shaped by pivotal moments — new product lines, bold investments, and trusted partnerships. The launch of the HZ-Series was a major leap forward. So was the transition from Korean-assembled machines to fully in-house builds.
MFI would go on to expand to Howard Lake, double its facility size, add proprietary media mixing capabilities, and ultimately join Innovance, becoming an ESOP company.
These milestones weren’t just growth markers — they were proof that MFI could scale without compromising its roots. Through it all, the spirit remained grounded in hard work and resilience. As Tommy put it, “I’ve always had a no-fail approach to everything I do.”
Our 30-Year Journey: [View the Timeline]
A Family Legacy
While MFI was built by Mike and Tommy, its future is being shaped by the next generation — including Mike’s son and Tommy’s nephew, Cole Mathisen.
Cole’s journey started long before a formal job title. “I have a memory of going with my Dad and Tommy to Timesavers when they signed the paperwork to buy the Mass Finishing division for one dollar… I was 10 years old at the time.” He later worked summers cleaning, wiring motors, and filling orders before officially joining as Sales & Marketing Manager in 2017.
From his perspective, the core of MFI hasn’t changed — and that’s a good thing. “The solutions MFI offers haven’t changed all that much,” Cole said. “The core values of providing quality equipment backed with lifetime support remain strong.”
Now, Cole is helping expand the company’s marketing efforts and visibility: “We are now marketing to a wider audience and opening peoples’ minds to tumble finishing in high-energy machines.”
Lessons Learned
Over 30 years, MFI’s leadership and team members have picked up more than technical knowledge — they’ve learned what it means to build a resilient, values-driven business.
For Mike, success came down to persistence and hustle. “We did not like to lose!” he said. “When the phones weren’t ringing, we would call a company that we thought could use our machines.”
For Cole, it was about adaptability and industry connection. “They all taught me the importance of hustle and working hard to get quotes and responses as quickly as possible… and know that competition isn’t a bad thing.”
Marci shared a heartfelt message to future leaders: “Do the right thing, even when it is hard, and take care of your team like family.”
And for Paul, some of the best memories were the simplest: “Having beer at the end of the day!”
Here’s to the Next 30 Years
MFI’s story is far from over. As the company steps into the next chapter, the team is energized by its goals — from new innovations in automation and refurbishments to expanded global partnerships and continued customer-first service.
For Cole, the vision is clear: “I’m excited to see MFI reach its full potential and make the transition from a small bootstrap startup to an established brand within the finishing industry.”
Our 2022 Dealer Summit, where 30 reps came from around the US to tour our plant and learn about our products.
That growth wouldn’t be possible without the incredible customers and distributors who have trusted MFI over the years. From day-one relationships to new partnerships across North America and beyond, these are the people who help bring MFI’s equipment and finishing solutions to life. “We’ve always believed in building relationships, not just selling machines,” said Marci. “Our customers and dealers are part of the MFI family.”
That family extends to MFI’s distributor network, which continues to grow and thrive. Dealer Summits, application training, and joint industry events have created a culture of shared learning and mutual success. “When our reps succeed, we succeed,” said Cole.
And at the heart of it all is the local community that supported MFI from the beginning — from the town of Howard Lake to the skilled trades and vendors who helped build the company from the ground up. “We’re proud to have stayed true to our Minnesota roots,” said Tommy. “This community helped shape who we are.”
As we celebrate 30 years of grit, growth, and great people — we look forward to what’s next. And we thank every customer, distributor, team member, and partner who’s helped make this journey possible.
Here’s to the next 30 years — and to everyone who helped get us here.