In 1976, Omni Services was founded in Worcester, Massachusetts with a simple but powerful principle: go in any direction to serve the customer. From that idea, the name “Omni Services” was born—a reflection of a commitment to flexibility, responsiveness, and doing whatever it takes to support those we serve. While it may sound familiar today, in the industrial landscape of the 1970s, this customer-first mindset was anything but ordinary—it was a differentiator that helped define who we are.
The Beginning
After a successful career in industrial sales, Bob Mitchell made the decision to start something of his own. Ever the entrepreneur Bob partnered with John Snyder in sales and hired his golf caddy to manage the warehouse, Bob set out to create a business focused on service, relationships, and long-term growth. Starting his own business was only part of Bob’s vision. He set out to build a company that truly cared for its employees, treating them like family. Drawing from his past experience, Bob defined how he believed people should be treated and built a culture around those values that continue to endure today.
Funding
Scrappy but determined, Bob mortgaged his house to get the company off the ground. When the decision to start his own company became reality, Bob’s wife Susan surprised him with money she was stashing away in the mattress. A total shock to Bob, it helped jump start Omni Services.
Challenge
Accompanied by a small team, Omni Services launched from a simple second-floor warehouse and office in Worcester, Massachusetts. With a lot of ambition and confidence the team set out to make their mark in Worcester and the surrounding area. As a startup with limited resources, they were narrowly focused on fluid transfer and rubber products, a niche within the broader landscape of industrial product sales. While many questioned whether such a focused approach could succeed, Omni not only carved out a niche, it redefined what a specialist distributor could be. The company quickly gained traction, distinguishing itself from larger firms centered on power transmission and from rubber companies focused solely on hard goods. From the beginning, Omni’s expertise in hose, connectors, and fluid transfer set it apart—and that focus remains at the core of the business today.
It is with those humble roots that we celebrate the company, the culture and the growth that is Omni Services today.