When it comes to off-road gear, you can spot real quality from a mile away—and that’s exactly what Stop #5 of the Jagged X Summer Tour was all about. We dropped in on McDermid Design in Phoenix, AZ, to get a behind-the-scenes look at the shop responsible for the most overbuilt UTV storage boxes in the game, along with a whole lot of parts you didn’t even know they made.
Jagged X Summer Tour Stop 5: Inside McDermid Design — Phoenix’s Hidden Fabrication Powerhouse
We caught up with Ty from McDermid Design, whose family-owned operation builds everything from military-grade components to private label UTV parts for companies like Jagged X Offroad. But make no mistake—this place isn’t just a vendor. They’re a true design and manufacturing shop, where every box, bracket, and billet piece is built with precision, tested in the wild, and made right here in Arizona.
The Product That Started It All: The Ultimate UTV Storage Box
The box that put McDermid on the map didn’t come from a boardroom—it came from a real-world trail problem. Ty’s dad originally built the storage box to help his wife access gear without crawling through a jungle of straps and Rubbermaid containers. What started as a family solution turned into one of the most rugged, best-fitting storage systems available for UTVs.
Today, McDermid’s storage boxes are available for:
- RZR Turbo S, XP, Turbo (2014–2021)
- Pro XP, Turbo R, Pro R, Pro S
- Honda Talon
- Kawasaki KRX
- Can-Am models (coming soon)
These aren’t just tire carriers. Each box holds up to a 37” tire, features lockable and sealed internal storage, and uses a top-mounted rail system for fuel jugs, soft coolers, or whatever you need to strap down. The design maximizes every inch of bed space—without interfering with roll cage clearance.
Built in Phoenix. Backed by Precision.
The phrase “Made in the USA” gets thrown around a lot. At McDermid Design, it’s literal. Their Phoenix facility handles every step in-house: CAD design, turret punching, press brake bending, TIG welding, and finishing.
Their machines aren’t just automated—they run overnight. Using a turret punch system (not a laser), McDermid can engrave, countersink, bead roll, and cut complex parts in a single run. That means tighter tolerances, fewer errors, and no need to shuffle parts between machines.
Ty put it plainly: “It’s how we do aerospace and military work—and we use the same standards on our UTV boxes."
From Raw Sheet to Trail-Proven Gear
Once materials are punched and cut, they head to one of two press brakes, where each bend is pre-programmed to ensure perfect geometry. This allows for precise fitment and repeatability—even when building parts that need to stand up to 37” tires and desert abuse.
Welding comes next, with interior and exterior welds for max strength. That’s followed by finishing—raw boxes are brushed with a Walter Line Mate to give them a repairable surface that hides trail scars. Powder-coated units are prepped with just the right grit to bond coating without compromising edges.
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Real Design = Real Fitment
Every box is designed using 3D scanning, allowing McDermid to hug every curve and crevice of a vehicle’s factory plastics. That means a snug, rattle-free fit and no wasted space.
Installations are clean and simple:
- Polaris: Uses Lock & Ride hardware provided
- KRX: Bolts to factory D-rings
- Talon: Minor drilling to reach factory bracket points
- Install time: ~15 minutes
This isn’t the kind of setup that requires a lift or a fabricator. It’s as close to drop-in as it gets, and it works with most soft bags and coolers already designed for the stock bed profile.
More Than Just Boxes
McDermid isn’t a one-product shop. In fact, they’re behind several of Jagged X’s branded accessories:
- Billet shift knobs
- Tie-down brackets and whip mounts
- Expedition-style MOLLE panels (including under-seat and rear window options)
- Rear seat deletes for KRX four-seaters
- Custom dash mounts for rugged radios and RAM accessories
Each piece is developed with real-world function in mind—especially for Kawasaki owners who’ve often been left out of the aftermarket game. McDermid’s design-forward parts solve problems that other brands haven’t even addressed.
Engineered for the Long Haul
Every McDermid box includes:
- Lockable latches
- Fully sealed storage
- Doubled and dimpled supports
- Gasketed lids
- Precision-aligned Clico fit-up holes
Whether you’re hauling gear in a daily-driver UTV or locking down camera equipment in the dunes, these boxes are designed to keep dust, water, and thieves out. McDermid even backs the welds with a lifetime guarantee under normal use.
Come See for Yourself
If you’re local to Arizona, stop by McDermid Design’s shop in North Phoenix, just 5 minutes from Jagged X Offroad’s showroom. They’ve got boxes on display, projects in process, and a team that genuinely loves what they do.
Follow them on Instagram at @macdesignltd for a behind-the-scenes look at the shop. “Tuesdays with Ty” is a crowd favorite where you can watch real-time TIG welding, box assembly, and even the occasional product test.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing off-the-shelf about what McDermid builds. Every product is made with care, purpose, and enough over-engineering to last a lifetime. If you’ve seen one of their boxes in person, you already know. If you haven’t—it’s time you did.
Ready to upgrade your rig?
Browse the full McDermid collection at www.macdesignltd.com or shop through Jagged X.
