Our Story

One Amazing Team

With over 30 years of combined manufacturing experience across our family of brands, it only made sense to create a division dedicated to product design.

We're passionate about what we do, and we partner with clients to create innovative, functional, elegant products and then bring those products to market. Our expertise is in the conception, design, engineering services and manufacture of unique products in small-to-medium-volume runs.


Joel Nichols Founder and Innovator

Joel Nichols

Founder and Innovator

Head of a different perspective, nudging the team to do what can’t be done.

With over 30 years of experience in business and product development along with multiple patents, Joel believes that market changing products is the single greatest creator of opportunities.

“You will never walk on water unless you get out of the boat.”

Connor Digan Vice President

Connor Digan

Vice President

Connor joined AVID Labs in 2019. He graduated from Purdue University and began designing heat shields and insulated parts for the agricultural industry. He then moved into the boating industry as the Engineering Manager for a marine hardware and cover manufacturer. Connor also holds a PMP from PMI. When not with his wife and 3 kids, his interests include golf, personal finance, and bourbon.

Ben Powers Senior Industrial Designer

Ben Powers

Senior Industrial Designer

Graduating Purdue University with an Industrial Design Degree Ben has been able to work on a variety of products across a number of verticals ranging from outdoor furniture to medical devices. Ben takes pride in raising his four sons and daughter with his wife, and his passions and interests span from bourbon and steak to Purdue basketball and home automation.

Jordan Penry Design Engineer

Jordan Penry

Design Engineer

Jordan is a mechanical design engineer with experience in rapid prototyping , plastic mold design, and mechanical systems design. He creates movie props in his free time as well as enjoying camping and horseback riding.

Sam Morrison Mechanical Engineer

Sam Morrison

Mechanical Engineer

With a degree in Mechanical Engineering as well as a Master's in Business Administration, Sam is responsible for CAD work, 3D printed prototypes, and new design mechanical requirements focusing mainly on LED and optics. Growing up in Minnesota he has an affinity for hunting, fishing, trap shooting and anything else in the great outdoors. He feeds his creative side with LEGO builds and 3D printed passion projects.