TOWN OF POUGHKEEPSIE – While in lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sean and James Cerven were busy tinkering in their garage with a $7,000 milling machine. So, what was originally a pandemic project eventually evolved into Cerven Solutions, a contract manufacturer specializing in high-complexity and small-scale components serving high-stakes industries such as aerospace, defense, and medical technology.
“When we got the machine, we were kind of like, oh, this is, like, really expensive because we need all these other sort of tools to actually make things work. So we kind of just decided, like, we should turn this into a business and see if we can make money doing this.” James said, explaining how they had the idea to turn their hobby into a business. The leap turned out to be work for the brothers because in just over five years, they have gone from a residential garage to professional facility in Poughkeepsie, all while in their 20s. The Cervens believe their youth is also an advantage when it comes to their business. “We’re both in our 20s. We really have nothing to lose. Go forward, take the jump, and, like, try and make it work,” James remarked.
A distinct aspect of Cerven Solutions is a lack of traditional machining background in such a long-standing industry, though Sean Cerven sees it as another advantage. “By coming at it with a totally fresh set of eyes, we have no preconceived notions and not knowing what’s good or bad. So, a lot of that naivety has been helpful.” Cerven Solutions defines itself as a digital-first shop, a rarity in an industry they describe as behind the times, where they could run machines nearly ten times faster than veterans suggested was possible.
Rather than attempting to be a general-purpose shop for every client, the two invested in Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software to digitally simulate every cut before it is made, 5-axis Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines to execute the CAM’s program, and robotics to produce a high volume of intricate parts. They also win clients by going where other shops won’t, such as using notoriously difficult metals such as titanium while also sticking to basic materials like aluminum.
Despite the high-tech facility, the brothers are candid about the reality of building an industrial startup from scratch. They’ve learned that as business owners, work never truly stops. “You’re in Iceland on vacation, looking at a waterfall, but all you’re thinking about is why a machine back in Poughkeepsie is misbehaving,” Sean said, recalling his own experience.
Reflecting on the process of scaling up Cerven Solutions, James explained “We just thought it’d be a good idea and we were horribly mistaken. If I knew how painful it would be, I would never have done this, but we were too dumb to not.” Though there have been struggles, the two always saw the challenges as learning experiences. “I would say the entirety of everything we did was trial and error… the biggest lessons were from blunders but the only thing you can do is learn from them,” James added.
Looking towards the future, the brothers plan to go with the flow as they chase high-end certifications to earn more opportunities to work for premier clients. “I’m not really looking at anything too specific, like, oh, I want this building in five years,” James said. “We’re going to hold our standards and I have no doubts that if we hold those standards and we work hard, whatever it looks like in five to ten years will be more than I ever dreamed it would,” he continued. For Sean and James, the future of Cerven Solutions isn’t about the size of the shop, but the height of the bar they’ve set for themselves and a relentless commitment to quality are the ultimate tools for success.
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