Get to know us

Our Founders

Michael Austell

CEO & Founder

Cori Austell

COO & Founder

Michael is the definition of a problem solver. He utilizes his perspective that blends lifelong real world experience with degreed engineering education to yield himself as an extensive technical resource who is not afraid to lead. Those who know him best can attest that beating around the bush is not Michael’s strong suit which is the actual source of the beloved phrase “demand excellence”. He maintains an unwavering dedication to doing things right by running to every problem, breaking it down into key pieces, seeking out missing information, establishing the critical path timeline, and ultimately, making something better.

Michael’s background in problem solving started at a young age in a house that fostered and encouraged his aptitude for working with tools and taking things apart. As he grew, he traded hand drills for mills and zip-ties for welders. Pushing his natural skill sets into design and engineering, Michael went on to graduate in 2015 from the Missouri University of Science and Technology with his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. While leaning heavily on his manufacturing fundamentals, Michael has spent 10+ years engineering products and equipment that integrated heavily into the automotive world. It has always been his love for manufacturing and fabrication that have fueled his passion for design and engineering - and that passion is what drives MLA Industries today.

Cori had the honor of growing up as a military child while her father served in the United States Army. This background helped fuel her natural extroversion and willingness to go wherever life called her. She also attended the Missouri University of Science and Technology where she met Michael in addition to earning her degree. In 2016, she graduated with her B.S. in Civil Engineering as well as a minor in Psychology of Leadership. After moving to Alabama, Cori worked with a civil/structural design firm for several years where she gained significant expertise in her civil engineering field. Her commitment to servant leadership, keen eye for details, and her ability to clearly communicate technical information with clients and team members alike saw her quickly rise through the ranks. The culmination of her experience and knowledge base was further recognized in 2020 when she obtained licensure as a Professional Engineer (P.E.). Joining forces with Michael professionally has allowed her to harness her innate tendencies of organization and leadership into the founding of MLA Industries.

Our Mission

The mission of MLA Industries is to come alongside those who have uncovered problems in need of high quality solutions. We believe in providing our clients with solutions that are feasible, functional, scalable, and cost-efficient.

Let’s work together to create something excellent!

We specialize in product development and engineering services. Check out our Services for more information.

Our Values

Excellence.

“Demand Excellence” isn’t just a tagline for us. It’s a standard by which we operate personally and professionally. Striving for the highest caliber outcomes means your needs aren’t just another project. We honor our clients and our own work ethics by providing results with excellence.

Communication.

At MLA Industries, we strongly believe this value shouldn’t even need to be said but here we go. If you call us, we will call you back. If you email us, we will email you back. If we are working on an active project together, we will actively keep you in the loop and have progress milestones we review together. Open lines of communication are key tools to success.

Honesty.

It is our job to be upfront and forthcoming with information imperative to the potential success of a project. To the best of our ability, we will work to provide solutions that are feasible and functional. We would rather turn down a possible job than lead a client down a road that isn't viable.

Faith.

Faith is at the heart of MLA Industries and its founders. It is through our unshakable faith that we stepped out with MLA Industries as a fulltime venture. We operate our business with constant gratitude for the true source of our capabilities and seek to honor every opportunity for work we are provided.