About Us

Nicholas Industries, Inc. began as a sister company to Cleland Custom Urethane Products in Kenosha, WI, 1972. Both entities operated as such from 1972-1996. In 1979 Cleland Custom Urethane Products (CCU) and Nicholas Industries, Inc. were purchased from Nick Pattera by new President and CEO James "Jim" Olsen. During these years Jim would build his business finding and maintaining work from Nasa, Perini Mining, Snap-On Tools, Briggs and Stratton and Allen Bradley Co. to name a few.

In 1995, Nicholas Industries, Inc. and Cleland Custom Urethane Saw the untimely and unfortunate passing of the late Jim Olsen. Jim is dearly missed by all who knew him, but his legacy lives on. Although this was a very hard time for both entities; Nicholas Industries, Inc. welcomed Jim's Son, Scott Olsen in as President and CEO. Along with this promotion, Nicholas Industries, Inc. split from CCU; with the aim to  stream line both avenues of business. Both Nicholas and Cleland continued their affiliation and often continued to assist one another to fulfill jobs while maintaining separate ownership. 

In mid-early 2000's, Nicholas Industries, Inc. moved from the long standing Kenosha, WI location to its current location in Racine, WI. The new location located at 1810 Thurston Ave. was also formerly Al Olsen Sheet Metal Works, Inc., owned and operated by Scott's late Grandfather Alvin "AL" Olsen, and succeeded by Scott's late Uncle Jerome "Jerry" Olsen. Moving to Racine allowed new owner and Racine native, Scott, easier access to his facility, drastically cutting  down commute time. 

In 2016, Nicholas Industries, Inc. reconnected with Cleland Custom Urethane with the departure of then current President Jeff Olsen. Scott, restructured both companies naming Nicholas as the parent company. In Fall of 2018, Cleland was officially consumed by Nicholas Industries, to be run under one name with the goal of moving Cleland to Racine. During the Winter of 2019, The Kenosha location was sold and the process of moving both businesses to Racine was underway. During the early spring of 2020 Nicholas Ind. finalized completion of its new facility addition which now houses its urethane production.

In addition to the new expansion during the Fall of 2019 Nicholas Industries purchased the legal rights and Patents to operate, manufacture and sell The Spirolet™ Brand. This purchase allowed Nicholas Ind. to expand into the refractory and gunite business as well as supply another avenue to its foundry supply chain. 

From all of us here at Nicholas Industries, Inc. we would like to say

thank you to all of our loyal customers and suppliers, current and past; who have helped us grow to where we are today.