Apex handles all of the R&D, design, and engineering work for our wheels 100% in-house, and we felt it was important to introduce the team that’s responsible for our designs that have been decades long favorites with enthusiasts across the globe.
The accessibility of forged manufacturing has made it easier and easier for companies to pop up seemingly out of nowhere. These “wheel companies” market themselves as the next great wheel, but in reality they are often 1-2 people operating out of a home or a garage. They find a company that will make them wheels, and they rely completely on that factory to do all of the engineering work that goes on behind the scenes. Then, it’s as simple as slapping on a logo, posting a few threads on the forums or in Facebook groups, and taking orders for these so-called “performance” wheels.
That sort of business model doesn’t sit well with us.
When you outsource engineering, you lose control over every element of a design. These pop-up wheel companies are providing napkin drawings to the factories they work with, and judging the output based on visual appearance alone. They don’t have the knowledge to properly vet suppliers, to analyze engineering drawings, or to perform any real testing of wheels. In an effort to get designs ready as quickly as possible, they forego key engineering details that separate real performance wheels from the pretenders.
Things like 3D brake scanning, on-car test fits, multiple rounds of revisions to optimize concavity & caliper clearance, detailed design work on inner lip designs and other features, optimized side milling and rear hub pocketing, and real physical independent 3rd party testing - the list of things these cheap wheels are missing is endless.
The main reason is cost - it’s expensive to do engineering work, and it’s even more expensive to do it in-house, right here in the USA. It would certainly be easier for us to run our company without all of the added payroll of the dedicated team that makes our wheels, but here at Apex, we know how important Real Performance engineering is.
With that in mind - meet the engineers responsible for making the best Real Performance wheels on the market.
BS, Mechanical Engineering - Rutgers University
David joins Apex from the datacenter hardware industry and oversees the development of our existing supplier relationships and the implementation of new ones. His mission is to lead the team that ensures our manufacturing partners take our iconic designs and bring the Real Performance wheels we’re known for to life. He brings a no-compromise engineering mindset and a focus on transparent education to the team. Always methodically improving his track prowess, his Mk7.5 GTI is slowly shifting from reliable daily to dedicated track weapon.
BS & MS in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering - University of Missouri
Born into motorsports, Mitchell grew up at the track and has over twenty years of engineering experience, with ~15 years of his career focused on forged wheel manufacturing and design. He previously worked for Finspeed wheels (now 8Twelve wheels) and also did contract work for other titans within the wheel industry. Since 2020, he’s led the charge on Apex’s forged program, blending his deep industry experience with a racer’s mindset. Off the clock, you’ll find him hammering apexes in his 997.2 Carrera S or 125cc shifter kart, sharing track time with his father and brothers in their 996 GT3 Cup Car, or relaxing with his wife Lisa and their two cats, Queso and Fern.
BS, Mechanical Engineering - San Diego State University
Josh brings over 20 years of engineering design experience in consumer products to the Apex team and has worked for Apex Wheels since 2019. He serves as our Product Engineering Manager, driving new product design focused on precision, strength, and performance. His current BMW E46 M3 GTR build is the vehicle that gave birth to our iconic ML-10RT wheel design, and he’s instrumental in helping Apex bring new wheels to market. With a lifelong passion and experience in motorsports, Josh knows what it takes to create products that truly perform at the highest level on both track and street.
BS, Mechanical Engineering - University of California, Merced
Eric is a Product Development Engineer at Apex Wheels, where he leverages his attention to detail, over a decade of CAD experience, and passion for automotive design to deliver high-performance wheel solutions with speed and precision. With more than 10 years of experience using CAD, from hobbyist projects and personal vehicle builds to professional product development, Eric brings a unique blend of practical hands-on knowledge and engineering expertise to every design. A lifelong motorsport enthusiast, Eric maintains a presence in the automotive community through track days, karting, sim racing, and professional detailing. Having built many cars, his favorite remains a 3.8L-swapped, GT-bodied Porsche Cayman R.
BS, Mechanical Engineering - Rochester Institute of Technology MBA - Georgia Institute of Technology
Growing up with a lifelong passion for cars, Anuj’s experience in the aerospace and automotive industries gives him a unique perspective and enthusiasm in his role as a Product Development Engineer. His day to day is focused on bringing the Real Performance wheels we’re known for to life, with a meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to quality. Outside of work, Anuj enjoys tackling hands-on projects and bringing new ideas to life in the garage. Whether he's working on his Charger, designing a new project, or searching Facebook Marketplace for his next find, there's always something being built.
The Fab School, DDM & FoF Certifications
Coming from the performance truck suspension industry, Louis knows what it takes to build a product with demanding use case requirements. As a CAD Drafter at Apex Wheels, he spends his days designing and refining high-performance wheel fitments that meet the brand’s exacting standards for quality, strength, and precision. When he’s not immersed in design work, you’ll find him wrenching on one of his two Nissan 240s, banging doors while drifting with friends at the track, or chasing adrenaline through whatever extreme sport the season has to offer.
BS, Mechanical Engineering - Penn State
Kyle holds multiple certifications in SolidWorks and AutoCAD, he makes the blueprints for new wheel fitments that our factories use. Kyle also virtually tests each of our wheels with FEA (Finite Element Analysis) that mirror our physical testing. He splits his track time across most of the northeast. Still considering himself an amateur, Kyle is content to keep his cars stock, upgrading the driver first. He currently tracks a Z4M Roadster and 50/50 daily drives a GR Corolla and a Honda CR-Z.
BS, Industrial Engineering - California State Polytechnic University
With roots in OEM automotive and the technology space, Dave knows what it takes for a company to operate at the highest levels of manufacturing. His role is critical: bring an uncompromising focus on quality to every wheel we make. Tight tolerances, flawless surfaces, zero excuses. Real Performance is the goal, and “good enough” isn’t in his vocabulary. After hours, Dave chases rear-wheel slip, either at autocross events or on the track in his BMW M2. If he’s not driving, odds are he’s fabricating custom parts for his rally-spec STI.
A true motorsports junkie, Joe applies the same passion he has for track driving to bringing new fitments to the Apex portfolio. Joe can usually be found at track events around Northern California and whether it’s his Lexus IS-F, his E46 M3, or one of Apex’s endurance cars, Joe would always rather be racing. He also runs his own coaching business for drivers looking to level up their skills.
Dan Cope
Wheel Fitment. Launch Alerts. Real Info Only.