Mission
To serve and support our operating companies by empowering them to achieve their vision with excellence.
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Our affiliated operating companies are united in their commitment to environmental responsibility, to ensuring the health and safety of their employees, and to respecting and protecting the communities in which they operate.
We continue to actively pursue new opportunities. Should you wish to explore a commercial transaction with us please contact: [email protected]
To serve and support our operating companies by empowering them to achieve their vision with excellence.
A Note from Our CEO — Nick Kennedy
At our core, we believe long-term success is built on Integrity, Extreme Ownership, Teamwork, and Operational Excellence. These aren’t just words — they are the principles that guide how we lead, invest, and grow.
I began in manufacturing as a teenager, welding water can brackets for military vehicles and working in sales during college breaks. After graduating from Bowling Green State University, I served in the Army’s Special Operations Aviation Regiment where I flew the Little Bird helicopter — an experience that taught me discipline, precision, and the importance of teamwork. When I returned to civilian life in 2015, I took the helm of my grandfather’s company, purchased the property where FLEX Machine Tools still operates, and recommitted to building something meaningful.
Since then, we’ve invested in our people and our infrastructure, breaking ground on a state-of-the-art facility in 2018 and expanding again in 2021. That modern workspace has helped us attract top talent, strengthen customer relationships, and set the foundation for rapid growth. In 2022, we expanded into trailer manufacturing with Air-Tow, gaining coast-to-coast manufacturing capabilities. In 2023, we launched a commercial real estate investment firm, FLEX Real Estate, broadening our market reach and strategic offerings to outside investors. Most recently, we introduced a financing arm — FLEX Fast Finance — to provide our customers with entirely new flexible, fast financing solutions so we can better support their success.
From a team of 8 in 2015 to over 250 today, our people are the reason for our success. We grow by empowering talented leaders, fostering collaboration, and holding ourselves to the highest standards of operational excellence.
I’m proud of the company we are and energized by what we will build next.
Nick Kennedy
Chief Executive Officer
Nick Kennedy is the CEO of Flex Machine Tools, Air-tow Trailers, and Flex Real Estate. His involvement with Flex Machine Tools began early, welding water can brackets for military vehicles as a teenager and working in sales during college breaks. After graduating from Bowling Green State University, Nick served in the Army’s Special Operations Aviation Regiment, where he flew the Little Bird helicopter. He returned to civilian life in 2015 to take over his grandfather’s company and purchased the property where Flex Machine Tools operated.
Nick continued investing in the future of the business, breaking ground on a new state-of-the-art facility in 2019 and expanding it again in 2021. The modern workspace has helped attract talented employees, strengthened customer relationships, and laid the foundation for the company’s rapid growth.
In 2022, Nick expanded the Flex portfolio by acquiring Air-tow Trailers, entering a new segment of the manufacturing industry. Under his leadership, Air-tow doubled its revenue within the first year and continues to grow nationwide.
At the beginning of 2024, Nick expanded his focus on real estate by establishing a dedicated team to manage his corporate properties and investment portfolio. This structure brought a more professional and strategic approach to analyzing, acquiring, managing, and selling real estate assets owned by Nick and his partners. Flex Real Estate now operates with five committed employees who oversee a growing portfolio and continuously look for the next opportunity.
Today, the Flex companies have grown from 8 employees in 2015 to a thriving team of over 200 dedicated employees.
In his free time, Nick regularly attends early morning workouts alongside his wife Ashley. He enjoys snowboarding with family and attending the sporting events of his three children, Weston, Warren, and Vanna.
Nick’s goals are fueled by his relentless ambition and the team he has built around him. Constantly seeking his next achievement, he is always willing to go above and beyond to turn his vision into reality.
