A Big Picture Update

Over the past several months, a lot has been happening at Olympus Foundry. While much of the work hasn’t been very visible from the outside, we’ve crossed several important milestones that move us from planning into real, physical execution.

This update is meant to be a high-level snapshot of where things stand today. In future we’ll dive deeper into individual topics, but this one is about the big picture.

Establishing the Facility

One of the most significant steps forward has been securing our facility building.

Finding a space appropriately zoned for metal casting — and suitable for magnesium in particular — took time and persistence. Between zoning requirements, power availability, and landlord considerations, this was not a straightforward box to check. In parallel, navigating the insurance landscape for a magnesium foundry added another layer of complexity.

With strong support from our insurance broker and partners who understood the risks and requirements involved, we were able to work through those challenges and land in a space that aligns with our long-term goals. Having a properly zoned and insurable facility is a foundational milestone, and it unlocked many of the steps that followed.

Becoming a Real Supplier

In parallel with securing the building, we’ve been working through the less visible—but equally critical—steps required to operate as a legitimate supplier to aerospace and defense customers.

This includes completing our first round of registrations across federal and defense procurement platforms, positioning Olympus Foundry to be discoverable and eligible as a source for future work. These processes are time-consuming and often unglamorous, but they are essential groundwork for operating in regulated markets.

Building Our Casting Network

We’ve also focused on surrounding ourselves with the right industry support early on.

Olympus Foundry has joined both the American Foundry Society (AFS) and the Non-Ferrous Founders’ Society (NFFS). More importantly, we’ve actively used these organizations as resources—leaning on their technical knowledge, industry connections, and collective experience as we refine our plans.

Building a foundry isn’t something that should be done in isolation, and these networks have been invaluable in helping us validate decisions and avoid unnecessary missteps.

Turning a Building into a Foundry

With the facility secured, the focus has shifted to bringing the space up to operational readiness.

So far, this work has included:

• Installing new lighting to support industrial manufacturing operations

• Beginning the process of upgrading electrical service to 480V three-phase power

• Initiating equipment procurement, including our first sand 3D printer

These steps mark the transition from concept and documentation into physical execution. The additive sand printer, in particular, represents a foundational capability for how we intend to approach mold making and casting workflows.

Building Quality and Security in From Day One

Rather than treating quality and cybersecurity as future add-ons, we are intentionally building these systems alongside the facility itself.

We are currently developing our quality management system with AS9100 alignment as the goal, ensuring that processes, documentation, and controls are structured correctly from the beginning. In parallel, our IT systems are being implemented with CMMC requirements in mind to meet government cybersecurity expectations.

This approach takes more effort up front, but it reduces rework later and sets a stronger foundation for sustainable growth.

Experience Matters

One of the highlights of this phase has been bringing on an experienced magnesium foundry professional as a consultant.

While we’re not naming names just yet, his role has included advising, planning support, and education across multiple aspects of the operation—particularly around magnesium process control. Having access to deep, hard-earned experience at this stage has been an incredible asset. It has helped sharpen our thinking, challenge assumptions, and accelerate learning reminding us just how nuanced magnesium foundry work can be.

Quite honestly, it feels like winning the lottery—not because it makes things faster, but because it builds confidence that we’re approaching this the right way.

Looking Ahead

This update is intentionally broad. Each of these areas—facility build-out, utilities, additive mold making, quality systems, and magnesium process development—deserves a deeper discussion, and we plan to share more detailed posts as work continues.

Olympus Foundry is no longer just an idea on paper. It’s a physical operation being built deliberately, with the right systems, partners, and guidance in place. We’re excited to keep sharing the journey as it unfolds.

-Isaac

The Beginning of Olympus Foundry Blog

Casting the Future - Intro

We’re starting a blog.

This will be our way to keep people up to date with what’s happening at the foundry — the milestones, lessons, and thinking that shape each step forward. It’s also a place to share the vision behind what we’re building and why we believe it matters.

Over the past few months, many of you have already walked alongside us as we’ve navigated the first stages of launching Olympus Foundry. Your encouragement, insight, and support have meant a lot as we’ve moved from concept to reality.

So, without further ado — welcome to Casting the Future.

We’re glad you’re here to walk this path with us as we build something new from the ground up.

-Isaac