November 13, 2026 – Three paddle launches. More than 45 prototypes. A dozen concepts with patent potential. That’s impact.
Today, Aidan Fickel serves as Product Engineer and Growth Manager at IACMI member Revolin Pickleball, helping drive product innovation and business growth in a sustainable way. But just last summer, he was an engineering student exploring what his future might look like through an IACMI internship. At this small business in Michigan, he joined a team determined to prove that world-class sporting goods could be designed and manufactured in America.
“Through this internship, I determined that the world of composites and design is what I want to focus on,” said Aidan. “I love the complexity of composite design and how you can achieve different properties based on a variety of different factors, allowing you to optimize a product for weight, strength, and performance.”
Engineering Without Limits
From his first days at the company, Aidan was immersed in the complete product development process. Creating paddle prototypes, he helped advance rough concepts into products customers could buy and use on the court.
A pickleball player himself, Aidan learned how engineering, operations, and marketing must work together to bring a product to life. He spent time conducting market research, gathering feedback directly from pickleball players, helping with tournaments and events, and meeting with some of the world’s leading composite material suppliers to explore sustainable manufacturing approaches with natural fibers such as flax and hemp.
Aidan shared, “So much of my experience, from my internship into my career, has involved stepping away from the well-trodden path of traditional materials like carbon fiber and fiberglass. I think this is one of the most exciting aspects of the work we’re doing, and something that makes the engineering experience at Revolin particularly unique.”
For Aidan, composites are the ultimate engineering playground.
“The design space is essentially infinite. When you design a composite part or product, every part of the product can be optimized, from thermal resistance to electrical conductivity. It’s a space for engineering in its purest form where essentially anything is possible. The biggest restraint is no longer what you can do but how fast you can make it.”
Turning Experience into Impact
Aidan quickly gained hands-on experience with composite layup, mold design, and manufacturing processes. It was the kind of practical work that transformed textbook knowledge he was gaining in his engineering courses into real expertise.
“Because of this internship, I’ve been able to step into a position where I can truly help grow and shape Revolin’s future. I also feel more confident in my problem-solving and creativity. I feel I can approach problems from many different angles.”
That confidence quickly translated into impact.
After graduating from Hope College, Aidan joined Revolin Pickleball full time. Since then, he has qualified a production panel for their new press, supported the launch of three paddle lines, and developed a dozen unique paddle concepts with patent potential. Aidan has worked on roughly 45 different prototypes: testing, iterating, and refining ideas. Where he sees real opportunity is in paddle customization.
“One of my favorite parts of this role is hearing the stories behind each project. I’ve helped design gifts for employee appreciation, co-branded paddles for resale, schools wanting to show off their branding, and charities that are using them to raise money for amazing causes. Each time I find myself so excited to see the finished product and deliver it to our partner.”
Building More Than Products
A key goal of IACMI internships is to facilitate those mutually beneficial relationships, where rising stars can grow skills and companies can find valuable support.
“I think that’s something really special about the IACMI internship experience. It goes beyond simply gaining technical experience or learning how an engineering company operates. It can allow students to take real ownership of what they are working on. I think because our time as interns is being sponsored through IACMI, our host companies are usually in positions where they really need the help of their interns.”
The impact of IACMI internships extends beyond single companies. Aidan has seen how combining the design and production capabilities in the U.S. shorten the prototype iteration process. But he thinks there’s an even bigger advantage that often gets overlooked.
“Every time we design, build, test, and improve something, we’re building more than just a product. We’re building knowledge,” Aidan recently wrote in a LinkedIn post. “We’re developing expertise in advanced materials, manufacturing processes, and product development that can be applied far beyond pickleball. The same capabilities we’re developing today can help us bring new materials, technologies, and designs into entirely different industries tomorrow.”
Marine, aerospace, automotive, furniture, and other sporting goods—these are all industries Aidan and his team could impact. They are innovation engines.
Perhaps the future of American manufacturing will not be built on competing for the cheapest labor. It will be built on advanced materials, better processes, and the people who know how to turn bold ideas into reality.
Are you ready to start your career in advanced manufacturing or host an intern? Find out how today.
Watch Aidan’s video on his experience as an IACMI intern.
