Darmok Designs: Revolutionizing the Firearms Components Industry
Story and Photos by Jonathan Turner
Loan Product: Small Business Loan
Loan Product: Small Business Loan
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Based in downtown Moline, Ill., Darmok Designs (Darmok) is far from your typical business. Despite its name, which suggests an interior design firm, Darmok is on a mission to revolutionize the components industry for firearms manufacturers, and plans to grow way beyond that.
Launched in 2023 by Grace McCubbin and her husband, Tom, this innovative company is already making waves with its unique approach to manufacturing. Darmok operates out of a small office at 1520 6th Ave., Moline, with its manufacturing facility in nearby Geneseo, Ill. Named after a 1991 episode of “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” Darmok reflects its founders’ passion for innovation and technology. “We thought it was obscure enough that no one would ever know, but the Trekkies find us at every event we do,” Grace McCubbin says of their moniker. “I’m a huge dork.” Founded in 2021 but officially launching in 2023, Darmok was able to hit the ground running with significant support thanks to a key loan from Bridge Investment. Darmok also received a grant from the city of Moline, investor funding, and put all the pieces in motion for the McCubbins to launch as a fully functional company and secure their first sale (a $50,000 deal) within just 30 days of opening. “We had a complete infrastructure in place to appear more secure and established than we were, which helped build confidence with our clients,” Grace says. McCubbin had worked as director of go-to market strategy of a startup (Smart Pay) within the banking giant Capital One. Her experience in launching startups and taking products to market has been instrumental in her success. “I was never interested in this ever being a small business,” she says of Darmok. At Capital One for four years, “I learned everything I needed to know about developing a startup and taking a product to market from that.” Tom McCubbin, a seasoned manufacturing engineer with over 25 years of experience, complements Grace’s skills with his technical expertise. Together, they address the need for American-made firearms components with cost-effective solutions. Darmok specializes in producing small, American-made milled metal components for firearms. By automating traditionally manual processes and designing custom tools, they offer high-quality components at competitive prices. For example, they’ve reduced the cost of firing pins from $3.99 to $3.17 each, achieving a 50 percent profit margin while keeping production domestic, removing the need for the client to purchase from an overseas competitor. “He has been doing game-changing stuff, and the crux of our business is, we’re able to make small, American-made milled metal components at prices that are competitive with overseas pricing,” Grace says. “The reason we can do that is because we’re able to automate processes people think can’t be automated.” “We can make our equipment do things that it’s not supposed to be able to do,” she says. “We’re disrupting the firearms components market by offering an American-made option at cheaper options. We make them as needed.” |
Owners Grace and Tom McCubbin are photographed with their staff inside their office in Moline, IL.
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This cost-effective solution, combined with their expertise in automation and sales, positions Darmok as a game-changer in the firearms components market. “The other reason other companies aren’t doing it this way is, they don’t know how,” Grace says. “We just did it. We wanted to make a certain part on a Swiss lathe,” that’s automated, she notes. They needed a certain tool to make a specific cut, and retrofitted part of their machine, to make it successfully in two operations (traditionally done in two machines). “We are able to make this automated thing that no one has ever automated before,” Grace says.
Transforming manufacturing practices
In addition to manufacturing, Darmok offers consulting services to other companies, helping them optimize their production processes and reduce waste.
They focus on retrofitting existing machines with custom tooling and rewriting production programs to achieve significant cost savings. For example, one client saved $36,000 a week after implementing Darmok’s solutions. “We are literally changing the face of manufacturing in America, at a pace that’s going to shock everyone,” Grace boasts. Saving 13 percent on production cycle time “is unheard of,” which Darmok has done, she says. “When we came in and guaranteed them 10 percent, they were shocked that we were willing to guarantee 10 percent,” Grace says of producing pistol barrels. “I can bring you into the 25th century – whenever ‘Star Trek’ was – without requiring a massive capital investment,” she says. “I can take the stuff you already have, you can invest just a little bit and then get a whole new life out of this equipment.”
Darmok has carved out a unique niche in the market, evidenced by its presentation at a Smart Manufacturing Conference in Pittsburgh in June 2024. “Judging by the reaction by people in the audience, we are doing something new and different and exciting, and very innovative,” Grace says.
Darmok offers exclusive services that clients can’t find elsewhere, allowing the company to set consulting fees at pricing that reflects the high value of their specialized expertise. Darmok doesn’t sell new machines, but focuses on improving existing production processes for the client. “I am left with the same machine, the same product, but I’m making it way more efficiently, way more cost-efficiently,” Grace says. “To reach their automation goals without having to buy all new equipment.”
Darmok also does efficiency evaluations, looking at existing equipment to make sure it’s operating at peak performance. "The only reason we sell components at all is because there’s a market for it,” she says. “We’d be happy to just go into manufacturers and show them how to do it themselves, because that’s where we really shine.” About 40 percent of Darmok business is the programming for others, 50 percent is the parts they make and the rest is Grace offering sales training and leadership consultation – specializing in manufacturing and firearm sales.
Choosing their projects
“I get to pick the projects I want to pursue,” Grace says, noting she works with the largest gun manufacturers globally. Darmok recently secured a deal with one of the top makers of gun magazines, producing base plates for a company that manufactures over 5 million magazines annually.
Tom McCubbin has worked in the firearms business many years, and Darmok wants to expand to other kinds of manufacturers.
The services they provide will transfer to any manufacturer that uses small metal components made from Swiss lathes, to revolutionize their production, Grace says.
“We re-outfit their machine with new tooling – a lot of times, we design our own custom tools that get put in there and we re-write the program for how that part is done,” she says. “We install all the new tools, do the set-up, do the proof of concept run. We provide them with a production manual that shows how it works. They can duplicate it. We train the operator on how they do their production run.”
“I was never looking on a small scale, ever,” Grace says, noting she’s a professional salesperson. They attended the National Rifle Association trade show in April 2023 in Indianapolis, armed with marketing materials and samples, and later that same year, Darmok opened with a website, social media, a product catalog, pricing structure, growth strategy and marketing materials. Their first sale was to an Arkansas company they met at the NRA show.
Darmok has quickly established itself as a leader in the firearms components industry, thanks in part to its innovative approach and the support from Bridge Investment.
“Bridge Investment played a giant role in this,” Grace says. The city of Moline grant helped Darmok secure its first building, and a subsequent Bridge Investment loan allowed the company to hire a new employee. “I said, I want a loan to pay this new employee for six months,” she says, noting the business would be able to pay them after that. “They believed in us; they gave us the loan and we’ve been thriving ever since.” The team now includes a chief strategy officer, an office manager, a marketing assistant and an administrative assistant. Grace benefits from state programs like Illinois Works and Iowa Works, which help cover salaries for some staff members. “Our employees have plenty to offer,” Grace says. “They just needed the resources. They’re doing high-level stuff.”
The Bridge Investment loan was instrumental in Darmok’s early success, and the company has been since able to pay that position’s salary. “We are well past the first six months,” Grace says. “We’ve been successfully maintaining it ourselves.” The company also pays 100% of health insurance, unlimited paid time off and profit-sharing for its employees. “I’m aiming for a company where people want to stay,” Grace says. “And whenever there’s a job opening at Darmok Designs, I expect to receive countless applications.”
Darmok contracts with Innovative Machine in Geneseo, using their equipment for production. Tom is their director of manufacturing, and oversees 40 machines spread over two buildings, running 28 of them himself. Thanks to automation, Tom typically finishes work at 1:30 p.m. daily. “We never work past 4 or 5 p.m., because we have children,” Grace says. “We go home and take care of our families. We’re both complete and total workaholics. We get home and work in our home office. That’s the only way a marriage works between workaholics. You both have to share the same dedication.” In April 2023, Darmok moved from a nearby Moline office to its current site (which is not open to the public).
Serving customer needs
She emphasizes that successful sales hinge on meeting customer expectations and Darmok knows what its customers want. Grace said she didn’t have to know about the gun business before she got into it. “A good salesperson can sell ice to an Eskimo,” she says. “What sets you apart is your ability to connect with people, to tell them what they need, and sell them what they want.”
Confidence and persistence are also crucial. “Automation is the hot-button issue of every sector of business,” Grace said, noting time is a priceless commodity you cannot buy. Darmok continues to innovate and expand its services. Another notable aspect of Grace’s role is her position as a female leader in the firearms industry, which is still relatively rare. When Grace and Tom meet with a new client, they are often surprised to see Tom defer to her.
The company is not selling internationally, but focuses on improving production processes for clients in the U.S. They are involved now in designing components for new rifle models and offer exclusive consulting services that clients can’t find anywhere else. With Bridge Investment’s help, Darmok Designs is truly hitting the mark.
For more information on the business, visit www.darmokdesigns.com.
Transforming manufacturing practices
In addition to manufacturing, Darmok offers consulting services to other companies, helping them optimize their production processes and reduce waste.
They focus on retrofitting existing machines with custom tooling and rewriting production programs to achieve significant cost savings. For example, one client saved $36,000 a week after implementing Darmok’s solutions. “We are literally changing the face of manufacturing in America, at a pace that’s going to shock everyone,” Grace boasts. Saving 13 percent on production cycle time “is unheard of,” which Darmok has done, she says. “When we came in and guaranteed them 10 percent, they were shocked that we were willing to guarantee 10 percent,” Grace says of producing pistol barrels. “I can bring you into the 25th century – whenever ‘Star Trek’ was – without requiring a massive capital investment,” she says. “I can take the stuff you already have, you can invest just a little bit and then get a whole new life out of this equipment.”
Darmok has carved out a unique niche in the market, evidenced by its presentation at a Smart Manufacturing Conference in Pittsburgh in June 2024. “Judging by the reaction by people in the audience, we are doing something new and different and exciting, and very innovative,” Grace says.
Darmok offers exclusive services that clients can’t find elsewhere, allowing the company to set consulting fees at pricing that reflects the high value of their specialized expertise. Darmok doesn’t sell new machines, but focuses on improving existing production processes for the client. “I am left with the same machine, the same product, but I’m making it way more efficiently, way more cost-efficiently,” Grace says. “To reach their automation goals without having to buy all new equipment.”
Darmok also does efficiency evaluations, looking at existing equipment to make sure it’s operating at peak performance. "The only reason we sell components at all is because there’s a market for it,” she says. “We’d be happy to just go into manufacturers and show them how to do it themselves, because that’s where we really shine.” About 40 percent of Darmok business is the programming for others, 50 percent is the parts they make and the rest is Grace offering sales training and leadership consultation – specializing in manufacturing and firearm sales.
Choosing their projects
“I get to pick the projects I want to pursue,” Grace says, noting she works with the largest gun manufacturers globally. Darmok recently secured a deal with one of the top makers of gun magazines, producing base plates for a company that manufactures over 5 million magazines annually.
Tom McCubbin has worked in the firearms business many years, and Darmok wants to expand to other kinds of manufacturers.
The services they provide will transfer to any manufacturer that uses small metal components made from Swiss lathes, to revolutionize their production, Grace says.
“We re-outfit their machine with new tooling – a lot of times, we design our own custom tools that get put in there and we re-write the program for how that part is done,” she says. “We install all the new tools, do the set-up, do the proof of concept run. We provide them with a production manual that shows how it works. They can duplicate it. We train the operator on how they do their production run.”
“I was never looking on a small scale, ever,” Grace says, noting she’s a professional salesperson. They attended the National Rifle Association trade show in April 2023 in Indianapolis, armed with marketing materials and samples, and later that same year, Darmok opened with a website, social media, a product catalog, pricing structure, growth strategy and marketing materials. Their first sale was to an Arkansas company they met at the NRA show.
Darmok has quickly established itself as a leader in the firearms components industry, thanks in part to its innovative approach and the support from Bridge Investment.
“Bridge Investment played a giant role in this,” Grace says. The city of Moline grant helped Darmok secure its first building, and a subsequent Bridge Investment loan allowed the company to hire a new employee. “I said, I want a loan to pay this new employee for six months,” she says, noting the business would be able to pay them after that. “They believed in us; they gave us the loan and we’ve been thriving ever since.” The team now includes a chief strategy officer, an office manager, a marketing assistant and an administrative assistant. Grace benefits from state programs like Illinois Works and Iowa Works, which help cover salaries for some staff members. “Our employees have plenty to offer,” Grace says. “They just needed the resources. They’re doing high-level stuff.”
The Bridge Investment loan was instrumental in Darmok’s early success, and the company has been since able to pay that position’s salary. “We are well past the first six months,” Grace says. “We’ve been successfully maintaining it ourselves.” The company also pays 100% of health insurance, unlimited paid time off and profit-sharing for its employees. “I’m aiming for a company where people want to stay,” Grace says. “And whenever there’s a job opening at Darmok Designs, I expect to receive countless applications.”
Darmok contracts with Innovative Machine in Geneseo, using their equipment for production. Tom is their director of manufacturing, and oversees 40 machines spread over two buildings, running 28 of them himself. Thanks to automation, Tom typically finishes work at 1:30 p.m. daily. “We never work past 4 or 5 p.m., because we have children,” Grace says. “We go home and take care of our families. We’re both complete and total workaholics. We get home and work in our home office. That’s the only way a marriage works between workaholics. You both have to share the same dedication.” In April 2023, Darmok moved from a nearby Moline office to its current site (which is not open to the public).
Serving customer needs
She emphasizes that successful sales hinge on meeting customer expectations and Darmok knows what its customers want. Grace said she didn’t have to know about the gun business before she got into it. “A good salesperson can sell ice to an Eskimo,” she says. “What sets you apart is your ability to connect with people, to tell them what they need, and sell them what they want.”
Confidence and persistence are also crucial. “Automation is the hot-button issue of every sector of business,” Grace said, noting time is a priceless commodity you cannot buy. Darmok continues to innovate and expand its services. Another notable aspect of Grace’s role is her position as a female leader in the firearms industry, which is still relatively rare. When Grace and Tom meet with a new client, they are often surprised to see Tom defer to her.
The company is not selling internationally, but focuses on improving production processes for clients in the U.S. They are involved now in designing components for new rifle models and offer exclusive consulting services that clients can’t find anywhere else. With Bridge Investment’s help, Darmok Designs is truly hitting the mark.
For more information on the business, visit www.darmokdesigns.com.
