Wombat NYC was born out of necessity.

As a mechanical engineer working for a fabricator, Gwylim Johnstone saw firsthand the challenges customers faced. He searched for a local laser-cutting service that was fast, efficient, and accessible – but instead, he found outdated websites, long sales cycles, and little to no communication. “I wasn’t finding what I was looking for locally. The services existed out of state, but shipping costs were nearly as high as production costs. I kept asking myself, why don’t we have this locally?”

Determined to fill this gap, Gwylim set out to build a service where customers could upload parts, get an instant quote, and streamline the entire process. Despite having limited experience working with this equipment, he was drawn to the challenge. “How hard can it be?” he thought. Confidence drove him forward, but he admits there was also some intimidation. Still, it was exactly the kind of challenge he was ready to take on.

“We signed the lease on August 4, 2023, and the machines arrived the following week. We were cutting it really close.”

Securing a location proved to be one of the toughest hurdles. After multiple failed lease negotiations, Wombat NYC finally found a home in Red Hook, Brooklyn — just in time. The machines, which had spent nearly a month in transit, arrived soon after. Then came the next phase: assembling the equipment, installing ventilation, and learning how to operate everything. “We were trained by the install technicians who built the machines, but YouTube was a very valuable resource,” Gwylim says. “It took a lot of practice and problem-solving, but after enough trial and error, we have refined the process into something efficient and consistent.”

As Wombat NYC laid its foundation, the customer base steadily grew. What began as a hustle to fill the shop has evolved into a steady stream of repeat customers and larger projects. With a well-planned layout and an optimized workflow, the team can turn around rush jobs in as little as a few hours. “It’s quite an achievement which really sets us apart,” Gwylim notes. “We’re incredibly proud of what we can accomplish for our customers.”

“Customers can pick up their products in person, meet the people behind the parts, and see the space firsthand.”

Wombat NYC takes pride in delivering high-quality parts, thanks to a combination of skilled operators and reliable machines. “It takes practice and training,” Gwylim emphasizes. “We’ve spent a long time perfecting how we nest parts and refining our process strategies, to ensure the highest consistency for our clients.”

Looking ahead, Wombat NYC is gearing up for growth. With increasing demand for local laser-cutting services, the company plans to expand its machine inventory and introduce finishing services like graining and powder coating. “Powder coating is something customers ask for often,” Gwylim says. “Offering it in-house would streamline the process and make assembly even easier for them.”

For Wombat NYC, the journey is just beginning. From overcoming early challenges to building a reputation for reliability and innovation, Gwylim and his team continue to push boundaries. “Local demand is strong, and we’re excited to keep growing.”