Poster image for video

Our Story

Volume was founded by two friends

with an eye for opportunity

We started in a bedroom

As a young and rapidly developing company, we here at Volume are guided by the desire to develop an efficient brick and mortar manufacturing operation. We employ local, technically skilled, and motivated individuals. We want to see everyone succeed. Our goal is to prioritize relationships with our employees, clients, and vendors- finding value in working with like minded people.

(Ellie is the real genius behind this whole operation)

We started in a bedroom
We started in a bedroom
We started in a bedroom

Our Story Includes Many Volumes

Interior of Volume Industries warehouse

Over the past 12 years, our operation has grown exponentially, and we’ve built a hardworking and creative crew of technicians, fabricators, and designers.

2009

Varidirect is founded at the Rochester Institute of Technology by close friends Jonny Widder and James Wegner. Initially focused on database driven development and design, they soon opened an office in Westchester, NY, and began servicing related printing projects along with Jonny’s father, Ken.

2013

With demands for physical print projects and applications increasing, our first “Manufacturing” facility was opened on West 38 Street in Manhattan. Initial capabilities included copy services, poster-sized and adhesive vinyl printing, and installation.

2014

As customer demand quickly outgrew production capacity, we moved across the river to Queens and installed our first true industrial manufacturing equipment. Our small team began to take shape as the projects continued to increase in scope, scale, and volume.

2016

As our print business shifted towards event and retail specific customers, we spotted an opportunity to diversify our operations and founded Substrate with Ken Thomas and Daniel Morgan to serve as a three-dimensional fabrication division.

2018

With both Varidirect and Substrate continuing to evolve and grow we had again reached the limitations of our physical space. Instead of another expansion in NY, we made the strategic decision to open a second facility across the country in Los Angeles and Founded VSLA. By setting up comparable operations to what had already been built in New York we were able to expand our existing relationships and create new ones.

2021

With the woes of the Covid-19 pandemic entering the rear-view, we focused in on our best relationships and began planning for a better-organized future. Varidirect, Substrate, and VSLA are formally merged and Volume Industries is born.

2009
2013
2014
2016
2018
2021

Who we are today

At Volume the work is never done. We are constantly improving every aspect of our process. The focus is on the products we create, the team we assemble to create them, and the clients we create them for. As our workflow develops we keep an eye aimed at new opportunities, aligning our goals with those we value most.

LA&NYC

Team photo
Team photo
Team photo

Team Member Focus

  • Maren Jansen

    - Started August 2019

    We met Maren as a client working for one of our largest accounts. She now runs that account. Her knowledge, skills, and insight have allowed Maren to rise quickly from Junior Project Manager to overseeing handfuls of other accounts.

    One of the many Tucson transplants in the shop/office, Maren enjoys the freedom of movement that New York City allows and can typically be found on her bike (dog safely stowed in a backpack) exploring the city.

  • Davis Robins

    - Started November 2018

    Davis joined our team as a Shop Carpenter. Prior to fabrication, he worked in hospitality- starting as a kitchen employee and working his way up to management.

    Davis' knowledge and technical skills along with his commitment to quality work helped him rise quickly to Lead Carpenter. Now, as a Production Manager, he is the link between accounts, fabrication, and production.

    Davis’ interests outside of work include hiking with his dog Ham, casually birding, and watching entire movie franchises in a weekend.

  • Kwame Diaz

    - Started October 2015

    Kwame is a print industry veteran with ties throughout New York City. He has been critical to our production team for six years. Kwame is an expert in complex printing equipment and specifying the right materials, processes, and practices for any project.

    In 2021, Kwame was promoted to Production Manager and transferred from NY to LA. He is now responsible for ensuring timely and accurate output of west coast print accounts.

    In his free time, Kwame enjoys cycling, snowboarding, and building miniature models of landscape machines and buildings. He's a little bit of a gearhead; fascinated about anything mechanical it brings him such joy.

  • James Wegner

    James Wegner

    Founder, Co-President, Managing Director

    James grew up in Western New York State with an interest in modern printing methods and the digital arts. This led him to RIT where he got a degree in New Media Publishing. At age 21, James moved to NYC to start VariDirect with Jonny. His primary motivation is to create an example for modern manufacturing in urban America and to challenge the existing ideas about employee/employer relationships. Outside of work, James enjoys spending time outdoors doing a variety of activities such as skiing, surfing, biking, and running.

    Founder, Co-President, Managing Director

    Jonny Widder

    Jonny Widder

    Founder, Co-President, Director of Imaging Projects

    Jonny is a lifelong New Yorker. After attending RIT and earning his degree in New Media Publishing he moved back to the city to start Varidirect. (Now Volume, obviously) The rest is history in the making. When not running around the office, he winds down listening to music, traveling with his wife, or running two kids to soccer practice.

    Founder, Co-President, Director of Imaging Projects

    Meet the founding partners

    Here’s a little about the folks who started it all.

    Join Our Team

    In less than ten years we have gratefully assembled more than one hundred individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds in printing, fabrication, art, and production. We are always looking for inspiring and inspired talent. If you are looking for a high-energy, creative, and technical environment, please reach out to us. We would love to hear from you.

    Benefits

    • Competitive benefit options including Medical as low as $135/mo
    • 401(k) Plan with Company Matching up to 4% of Annual Income
    • Opportunities for relocation
    • Grow your career through access to interdisciplinary functions
    • 4 day work week for certain roles
    Join the team
    Join Our Team
    Bold, Beautiful, One of a Kind Visual Experiences

    Bold, Beautiful, One of a Kind Visual Experiences

    At Volume we focus on building compelling, one of a kind, visual experiences and top-notch functional objects through partnerships with companies we love. Our work is as varied and diverse as the team that produces it. We take pride in all that we do and are happy to share it with the world.