Today we’d like to introduce you to Mohsen Jabbari.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Mohsen. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I grew up in a middle-class family in Iran, where I got my first job at the age of 13 working in my father’s appliance goods store. When I was 21, I opened my own computer developer company. At 24, I realized that opportunities were limited in my homeland, and I embarked on an adventure that would change my life. I left Iran with the blessings and hopes of my parents, and $2400 to my name.
First stop was Bosnia, shortly after the genocide in the 90s. Seeing the devastation only solidified my resolve to get out of a part of the world which would forever be embroiled in turmoil. Next was Germany, where all of my money was stolen, and I found myself sleeping under a park bench until I got a job working in a pizzeria. I saved up enough money for the long trip to the United States. By the time I arrived 11 months later, I had $16 in my pocket.
Although I faced many obstacles to coming to the United States, my persistence and dedication to my American dream led me to my goal; only to find that this was just the beginning of an even longer journey towards my dream, now turned reality. I ultimately settled in San Diego. I worked several jobs, gaining experience in how businesses are run in the United States. I also went through a pretty steep learning curve to adjust to the American culture.
With regard to the start of TCM, an opportunity presented itself, when a frustrated buyer approached me with a problem. The product was the buckle used to hold the firefighter’s respiratory unit together. The problem was three-fold: functionality of the part, supply chain complexity, and on-time delivery. Lives depended on the success of this product, but the buckle was not performing properly. Simply stated, it was getting stuck. So through consultation, much research and some innovative thinking, I found a solution.
This differentiated us from the manufacturers the buyer was using because they simply created products per spec, rather than working with the customer to develop solutions for functionality problems. We realized we could do more. We could solve problems for our clients, not just manufacture their products. At this point, we were just a consulting firm. We solved manufacturing problems and then coordinated the vendors to manufacture our improved-design components.
That was until we realized that if we not only helped with the design of the products, but also manufactured the parts in-house, we could reduce cost, increase on-time deliveries, and minimize product failures. This was a no small feat, given the fact that we had to become experts in manufacturing through multiple processes, unlike most other manufacturers who manufactured using only one process.
And thus, we moved from being a consulting firm to a manufacturing firm, the single source our customers rely on for all their fabrication and finishing needs.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was definitely not a smooth road. Aside from all the obstacles that any new company goes through, I had the added struggles that comes with immigration. Everyone talks about the American dream, but few recognize the amount of work involved in accomplishing that dream.
Not only did I have to learn a new language, adjust to a new culture and build new relationships, I also had to adapt the valuable business principles I learned in Iran, to an American environment. But even when I accomplished all of that, then came the struggles of transitioning TCM from a small business with only a few projects and employees to medium-sized business with hundreds of projects and an equally large number of employees.
Realistically, there will never be a time when there are no challenges, its a part of life and definitely part of running a successful company. The most important obstacle of my life though is making sure that while I run my company, I make sure that I am present and active in the lives of my wife and son. Being a good husband and father, that’s the hardest, yet the most rewarding challenge. And fortunately, I like a challenge.
Please tell us about Trans-Continental Manufacturing Inc…
Our mission is simple… to provide the highest quality, custom precision metal and plastic components available on the market and to become the single source our customers rely on for all their fabrication and finishing needs. In business for over a decade, Trans-Continental Manufacturing, headquartered in San Diego, California, has grown from a small but ambitious startup into a significant player in the metal fabrication industry.
We achieved this by listening to the needs of our customers, who wanted high-quality precision components at reasonable prices and were looking for ease of process and superior service. We responded by putting together a top-notch team of engineers and production staff. We expanded our services to include secondary production processes, including assembly and powder coating, etc., which provided our customers with a one-stop-shop for all their metal fabrication needs.
Additionally, we opened our maquiladora production facility, Baja International Manufacturing (BIM), located in Mexico, to reduce our overall production costs, which allows us to provide superior prices to our customers. Products we manufacture range from parts for medical devices, wheelchair components, furniture, audio systems, safety and security, and outdoor sporting goods.
What sets us apart from other custom manufacturers is the number of manufacturing processes we are capable of performing, the range of services we offer our customers and the fact that the majority of our work is done in-house rather than using multiple vendors for a single product.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memory was when my brother, my friend and I went hiking up a mountain.
When we reached the top, we found an open space, where we played soccer and ate fresh walnuts off the tree. It was such a fun experience.
My brothers live in Iran, and we are only able to see each other every few years, so these memories together are precious.
Contact Info:
- Website: t-cmfg.com
- Phone: 619-338-8330
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