Jeep News
After informing the receptionist that I was there to see Henk, I found myself confined to a glass box of sorts within the lobby with my heart beating fast at the sight around me. Through the window was a sample of the excitement I hadn’t expected with seven beautiful pieces of machinery and history. One by one, Henk introduced me to the family and provided me a background of each’s upbringing and meaning. I imagine Charlie, in the movie Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, felt the same way when they open the gates to enter into the factory for the first time. I could have easily just asked to leave me there for the next few hours so I could study and admire the craftsmanship of each Jeep as if visiting with old friends that I hadn’t seen in years. And this was in the first 10 minutes of my journey.
Next up, the warehouse where any Jeep loving indidual would wish to be locked in for a night to admire the many rows and stacks of 15,000 plus Jeep parts. Enough to build any varying combinations of Jeeps. As one of the only product manufactures of the Willy’s replacement parts in the country to the smallest MOD you can think of.
The warehouse contains the R&D department, quality control, packaging & shipping and their in-house photography team. Each is zeroed in on excellence and delivering the best products and experience to their customers while innovating for tomorrows Jeeps and customer product needs. They even had a few of the rigs available for me to get a glance at and shared how they were preparing those and others for this years 2015 SEMA Show. Not long after admiring the builds, Henk shared some new product developments that they are working as a direct result of the customers needs. That’s right, Rugged Ridge listens to their customers and innovates to solve the needs of those customers.
As Henk guided me through the maze of the warehouse we exited through a door to a Jeep historian’s dream. We entered into the Omix-ADA Jeep Collect Muesum which contained upwards of 15 different Jeeps from the 1941 Willy to a 1986 CJ-7 and many in between. In the museum, we were greeted by historian and restoration expert Dave. An inspiring man full of a wealth of Jeep knowledge that carefully detailed out the many different facts of each Jeep and its life. You can experience this collection online at www.JeepCollection.com
To say I was amazed would be understating my awe towards the collection and opportunity to be given this VIP level tour of the Omix-ADA faciity. The team at Omix-ADA have worked tirelessly to build a brand that resinates with the Jeep community and this is why they are the top sponsor at events like Jeep Beach and have a resounding presence at SEMA each year. I would encourage everyone that has the desire to MODify their Jeep to evaluate and consider them for your Jeep MODs.
Thanks again to Henk and the team at Omix-ADA for what turned into a 2 hour experience!
