Mike Olsen

Video

Oral History Information

Interview Date
Job Title
President
Company Name
West Side Machine

Mike Olsen has worked in the very shop his grandfather established right after World War II to make parts for band instrument makers in and around his hometown of Elkhorn, Wisconsin.  At one point, after Mike joined the company full time after high school, three generations were working together.  Even after his grandfather retired, Mike worked with his father for many years. Along the way, the little shop that could stayed mostly in the background making parts for other companies -and in the process creating innovative tools and processes that involved the manufacturing and playing of several musical instruments.  Its no wonder Mike, just like his grandfather, is passionate about the role he plays in making musical products!