Our Founding Story
Discover the humble beginnings and about Brighton NC Machine Corporation, established in 1965. A legacy of innovation.
In our humble 1965 beginning, three families pooled their resources to purchase a single NC lathe. They did this because they believed (correctly) that NC machines were the wave of the future. A year later, Brighton NC purchased its first NC milling machine, thus the path to growth had started.
A decade after its start, Brighton NC still had two of its original founding families, The Bartons and the Clausnitzers. Their reputation in the market had grown. They were still selling jobbing services, but had also added their own product line of automotive stamping press overload devices.
In 1982 we moved out of our small rented pole barn in Pinckney, MI. We had purchased land and constructed our own facility in Brighton.
In the eighties and nineties BNC experienced steady growth, which required more space. Two times the facility square footage was doubled to accommodate the needs of new customers, such as Caterpillar.
In 2004, BNC purchased and moved into the neighboring TRW facility. This purchase increased our footprint from 66,000 to 155,000 square feet.
With significant growth came the need for sustainable significant operational controls. This started with our attainment of our first certification from ISO. This later grew to encompass TS16949, ISO 14001, and IATF16949.
WHAT WE STAND FOR
- ISO 14001
- ASR Certificate of Registration for Precision Lathe, Mill, Grinding Operations, and Assembly
- ISO 9001
- AVU Registrations Certificate for Precision Lathe, Mill, Grinding Operations, and Light Assembly
- IATF
- PSI
- NIST Compliance
These certifications, coupled with our awards, showcase our commitment to innovation, quality, and progress.
In fact, adaptiveness and innovation make up the core of our forward-thinking company. Our team never shies away from adopting cutting-edge manufacturing technologies or paving the way for newer, faster production methods.
Our Services and Expertise
Our modest beginnings made Brighton NC Machine Corporation a force to be reckoned with. We’ve risen to every challenge our industry and customers presented. Therefore, we carved our place in various industries, including:
- Military and defense: The military demands high-quality, heavy-duty machinery. We consistently deliver.
- Class 8 trucking: Modern society depends on reliable diesel and large-engine trucks. We manufacture the backbone for many class 8 trucks, like drag links and steering.
- Construction: Construction customers such as Caterpillar rely on us to design and build products that meet their high standards and needs.
- Automotive: Automotive manufacturers have unique demands to keep their vehicles safe, efficient, and up to consumer standards. Something you should know about Brighton NC Machine Corporation is that most major vehicle producers trust us.
MEET THE TEAM BEHIND OUR SUCCESS
Two of the three original founding families still have an influential hand in leading Brighton NC Machine Corporation toward growing success. They developed a leadership team that carefully crafted a skilled staff of long-standing workers who consistently pushed the envelope of what supervisors and customers could expect. Jack Clausnitzer is one such prominent figure who helped bring BNC where it is today.
He thoroughly outlined machining fundamentals, passed the knowledge on to subsequent employees, and helped other leadership members craft our current training techniques. This knowledge-sharing and mentorship has led to a team of almost 200 employees, many of whom have worked with us for nearly 40 years.
Our talented, knowledgeable machinists operate over 70 CNC machines and tools. Their commitment to excellence and unwavering product quality has contributed to our current company culture that elevates continuous improvement, learning, and skill mastery.
OUR COMMITMENTS
Our commitment to excellence extends far beyond the quality of products that earn customer loyalty. We also extend our values and hunger for success to our surrounding communities and environment through charitable donations and work with the Gleaners Community Food Bank of Livingston County in Brighton, Michigan. Our team assists with the organization’s Victory Garden project to feed less fortunate locals.
We also implement sustainable manufacturing practices to make the world we all share an eco-friendlier place.
LOOKING AHEAD: OUR FUTURE VISION
One lesson we’ve learned from our shared history and past experiences is to focus more on the present and plan for the future. Our leadership team is always open to integrating innovative methods, developing new products, and venturing into different industries to improve our customers’ experience with us. If you want to learn more about Brighton NC Machine Corporation, contact us about your vision and how you think we can help.
