Here's how Otto Engineering's little parts play a big role
Otto Engineering almost flies under the radar, quietly tucked away on the Main Street Bridge over the Fox River in old town Carpentersville.
But the parts and switches that are engineered and produced there are quite literally flying overhead in airplanes and helicopters, some designed for the U.S. military.
The company, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary in business, was started in 1961 by Jack Roeser. He now runs the company along with his son Tom.
Otto has its own in-house injection molding, stamping, CNC machining and cable assembly and overmolding capabilities. In its own test lab, where parts are put through a rigorous series of tests to make sure they exceed clients' demands.
At first it doesn't seem that thrilling to learn about how rocker switches and radio communication housing is made, but when you tour the facility and see the real-life products used by farmers, first responders and military personnel, it's easy to see why the employees would feel a sense of pride in producing the products they do. All from a couple unassuming brick buildings along the Fox River in Carpentersville.
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