Duncansville-made performance auto parts fueling cars around the world
Isaac Fisher is a third-generation auto mechanic who has created a niche motor works company in Duncansville. Photo: Provided.
Unless you are a car enthusiast, words like intake plenum, chassis and high-pressure fuel pump probably mean little to you. Huntingdon County native, Isaac Fisher is more than an enthusiast… he’s a third-generation auto mechanic who grew up immersed in the auto repair business. His experiences fueled Fisher’s passion and ignited a love for European Imports. Now, he’s the owner of Fisher Motor Works in Duncansville.
About 10 years ago Fisher began tinkering with 3D printers and learning CAD. “I got into building and designing parts because I was really interested in 3D printers. I started by building parts for my vehicles. And it grew from there,” he said. “I built a part for a BMW and my buddy encouraged me to manufacture and sell them. So, I did, and it has really taken off.”
With the help of Startup Alleghenies Coach Matt Fox, Fisher has been able to make key connections to grow his business. Plus, he said, “With the help of Startup Alleghenies I have been able to get another 3D printer to continue building parts for my growing market.”
Fisher said you can find his parts all over the world. “There is a guy in Finland who reached out to me to build an intake plenum for his Porsche. Earlier this year he set a world record for the most powerful Porsche Cayenne—my part was key to the completion of his vehicle,” he shared.
“I just look for stuff nobody is doing and then I do it,” Fisher explained. “I’m not afraid to tackle any project. Right now, I am designing a high-pressure fuel pump for the Volkswagen Passat. I will be the only person in the world to offer parts to do this upgrade.”
Fisher likes to utilize other locally-owned resources to support his work when he can. “The cool thing about this business is that I grew up in the area, but I can offer my parts all over the country and beyond. I use local shops as much as I can when I need to outsource. There is a machine shop in Huntingdon I like to use and there is a shop in Pennsburg that is making top-shelf air filters that we use for the BMW X5,” he said
Fisher built a successful business from his deep-rooted passion for auto parts and cars. He shared this advice for other prospective entrepreneurs: “Find a need or a problem and then come up with the solution. A key to success is being unique in your industry, try to do the stuff that no one else is doing.”
Startup Alleghenies helps startup and emerging small businesses succeed by providing free coaching to entrepreneurs in Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset counties. To access personal, one-on-one support from a coach in your county, including guidance, resources, tools and networking opportunities, sign up at startupalleghenies.com.
