Tinker, Tailor, Tech One – Interview with Matt Mincer

While other kids were out playing sports or studying for the big test, Matt Mincer, founder of Tech One Biomedical, was fixing things. 

“I was one of those kids that took everything apart and put it back together.” 

Tinkering and tooling around as often as he could, you might think that Mincer was born with tools in his hands. Mincer went to a local trade school to follow this passion. He graduated and landed a job at a local biomedical repair company in Memphis. 

Repairing medical equipment, specifically pathology equipment, was new to Mincer but a natural fit. Pathology equipment is anything used in a lab to study disease. Centrifuges, tissue processors, slide stainers, etc. If you can picture a lab technician using equipment, it’s probably something Mincer can fix. 

Birth of Tech One Biomedical

Over the years, this local biomedical repair company was sold from one company to another, creating a corporate atmosphere that didn’t exactly jive with Mincer. 

“I didn’t want to be part of a corporation. I was 28 years old living in an apartment with just me and my cat.”

In this downtown Chicago apartment, Mincer had an idea. He would start his own company. Tech One Biomedical, a biomedical tech company much like the one he started his professional career in. Using the knowledge he had accumulated plus his natural talent and passion, Mincer gathered a team of highly experienced folks. 

“I’ve got very good, very experienced guys. About 100 years of experience.” 

Making The Big Boys Jealous

Tech One repairs histopathology equipment. That in and of itself may not sound terribly disruptive. However, when you realize how dominated the market is by large manufacturers, Siemens for example, Tech One stands apart from the crowd. 

“Some of the larger companies — there’s a whole lot of consolidation — service is a big money maker for them. The fact that people would rather call us than the big guys makes us a little disruptive.” 

When lab equipment needs repair, often due to user error, they often have no choice but to turn to the manufacturer. Think of it as taking your car to the dealer for repairs instead of a local mechanic. Tech One would be your local mechanic. 

As a result, people turn to Tech One over the larger manufacturers, much to their irritation. Of course, that’s the way business is supposed to go, isn’t it? Competition in the marketplace seems to be highly encouraged by proud capitalists. Yet, many of those same cheerleaders are more than happy to sit back and watch a monopoly grow.  

Tech One is a disruptive company not because it’s necessarily innovative but because it gives consumers the option that they deserve. Tech One shouldn’t be disruptive simply because it does exactly what the market needs. Tech One is a success because of that.

Can Matt Fix It? He Can’t Help It

A major part of Mincer’s success is his passion for his work. 

“I love what I do. I genuinely do. I’ve been asked if you could do anything other than what you’re doing what would you do? I would do exactly what I’m doing. I always have to be fixing something. I like to fix guitars and vintage audio equipment. When I get home I like to go to the basement and work on [repairs]. 

“That’s my passion — my passion is fixing.” 

Tech One Biomedical is located in Franklin Park, just outside of Chicago and south of O’Hare International Airport. They’ve been in business since 1997 and are humming along nicely. Matt Mincer spends his free time with his wife, daughter, and cat. When he’s not fixing something he’s either cooking or brewing beer.