Where It All Started—Indy Power Products
Written by Ainsley Jacobs
Photography courtesy of the manufacturer
Starting a small business and watching it grow into something greater than ever imagined is part of the American Dream. And, given that Indianapolis, Indiana, is at the heart of America’s racing country, it is no surprise that Nancy Ryder’s Indy Power Products fulfilled those dreams and more.
Nancy was fortunate to grow up in a family with strong parents who were great mentors and encouraged her without limits. “I’ve always had an entrepreneurial mindset and regularly considered having a business of my own,” she recalled.
She and her husband, Jim, both enjoyed successful careers working for other companies and developing solid reputations in the performance industry; Nancy in marketing and operations at Roush Industries where she developed her skillset bridging client initiatives and operational deliverables, and Jim as a mechanical engineer who focused on engine development, calibration, and research and development.
In 2017, Nancy knew it was time to move forward with her big-picture goal when she and Jim moved from Michigan to Indiana. “I formed NJR Enterprises to provide operational contract services,” she explained. When the pandemic hit in 2020, the climate for selling her services cooled, so she and Jim went all-in on filling a void in the automotive engine market. “We pivoted my business and included Jim’s engineering skills, and we created Indy Power Products,” she said.
Formed with a focus on designing, developing, and selling high-quality, reliable performance aftermarket components in the automotive aftermarket, Indy Power Products offers engineering design consulting and prototyping services to companies engaging in performance automotive projects and product development.
Working from their home at first, navigating the difficulties of pandemic-related facility shutdowns wasn’t an issue as there was a lot of initial design and development to do for IPP’s burgeoning product line. “We worked in small batches for manufacturing and, thankfully, didn’t encounter a shortage of materials,” Nancy noted. Although it was tough to see her consulting activity slow dramatically, in hindsight, she realized it presented them with a fantastic opportunity.
With some rented storage space and a local Indy-area warehouse for shipping and receiving, Indy Power Products outsourced its initial engine components produced by various vendors. For the first three years, most of Nancy and Jim’s effort was spent on the intricacies of design, manufacturing, finishing, kitting, assembling products and engines, shipping, and more.
The company’s first, and flagship, product line focused on the Ford 7.3-liter Godzilla Engine. In 2020 it was a fairly new platform from Ford but presented fitment issues, and the aftermarket — including Indy Performance Products — was quick to tackle the trouble. “We have a full line of products that support engine package fitment, improved performance, and cosmetic enhancement,” Nancy said. “We sell component kits, as well as fully assembled, drop-in crate engines with our signature products installed.”
Since its early days, Indy Power Products relocated to a dedicated facility in downtown Indianapolis within the Emerging Manufacturing Collaboration Center. This facility provides the team with ample room to work more effectively and showcase the company in a professional setting. “We believe each customer should be offered the highest level of professional support. Our goal is to supply nothing less than what we would expect for ourselves to our clients,” she added.
Although Nancy owns Indy Power Products, it’s a family-operated entity. Jim is fully committed to ensuring his wife’s business is a success, and the couple hopes one day to pass it along to their children, who also individually bring strong skillsets to support what they have created.
Since it’s a small business, however, IPP relies on organic, grassroots growth. The company aligned itself with its customers — racers — to help spread the word. Sanctioning bodies such as the NMRA and NMCA facilitate that, and the Ryders attend as many events as possible. “Staying connected with the true product users keeps us informed and relevant,” shared Nancy. “Plus, it’s fun!”
Written by Ainsley Jacobs
Photography courtesy of the manufacturer
Starting a small business and watching it grow into something greater than ever imagined is part of the American Dream. And, given that Indianapolis, Indiana, is at the heart of America’s racing country, it is no surprise that Nancy Ryder’s Indy Power Products fulfilled those dreams and more.
Nancy was fortunate to grow up in a family with strong parents who were great mentors and encouraged her without limits. “I’ve always had an entrepreneurial mindset and regularly considered having a business of my own,” she recalled.
She and her husband, Jim, both enjoyed successful careers working for other companies and developing solid reputations in the performance industry; Nancy in marketing and operations at Roush Industries where she developed her skillset bridging client initiatives and operational deliverables, and Jim as a mechanical engineer who focused on engine development, calibration, and research and development.
In 2017, Nancy knew it was time to move forward with her big-picture goal when she and Jim moved from Michigan to Indiana. “I formed NJR Enterprises to provide operational contract services,” she explained. When the pandemic hit in 2020, the climate for selling her services cooled, so she and Jim went all-in on filling a void in the automotive engine market. “We pivoted my business and included Jim’s engineering skills, and we created Indy Power Products,” she said.
Formed with a focus on designing, developing, and selling high-quality, reliable performance aftermarket components in the automotive aftermarket, Indy Power Products offers engineering design consulting and prototyping services to companies engaging in performance automotive projects and product development.
Working from their home at first, navigating the difficulties of pandemic-related facility shutdowns wasn’t an issue as there was a lot of initial design and development to do for IPP’s burgeoning product line. “We worked in small batches for manufacturing and, thankfully, didn’t encounter a shortage of materials,” Nancy noted. Although it was tough to see her consulting activity slow dramatically, in hindsight, she realized it presented them with a fantastic opportunity.
With some rented storage space and a local Indy-area warehouse for shipping and receiving, Indy Power Products outsourced its initial engine components produced by various vendors. For the first three years, most of Nancy and Jim’s effort was spent on the intricacies of design, manufacturing, finishing, kitting, assembling products and engines, shipping, and more.
The company’s first, and flagship, product line focused on the Ford 7.3-liter Godzilla Engine. In 2020 it was a fairly new platform from Ford but presented fitment issues, and the aftermarket — including Indy Performance Products — was quick to tackle the trouble. “We have a full line of products that support engine package fitment, improved performance, and cosmetic enhancement,” Nancy said. “We sell component kits, as well as fully assembled, drop-in crate engines with our signature products installed.”
Since its early days, Indy Power Products relocated to a dedicated facility in downtown Indianapolis within the Emerging Manufacturing Collaboration Center. This facility provides the team with ample room to work more effectively and showcase the company in a professional setting. “We believe each customer should be offered the highest level of professional support. Our goal is to supply nothing less than what we would expect for ourselves to our clients,” she added.
Although Nancy owns Indy Power Products, it’s a family-operated entity. Jim is fully committed to ensuring his wife’s business is a success, and the couple hopes one day to pass it along to their children, who also individually bring strong skillsets to support what they have created.
Since it’s a small business, however, IPP relies on organic, grassroots growth. The company aligned itself with its customers — racers — to help spread the word. Sanctioning bodies such as the NMRA and NMCA facilitate that, and the Ryders attend as many events as possible. “Staying connected with the true product users keeps us informed and relevant,” shared Nancy. “Plus, it’s fun!”
