Calwire
Calwire is a family-owned precision contract manufacturer in Aliso Viejo, CA that produces high-tolerance miniature components (tolerances of +/- 0.0002, inside diameters as small as 0.12mm) for medical device and dental industry OEMs using Wire EDM, Swiss Screw Machining, and 5-Axis Milling.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1984
- HeadquartersAliso Viejo, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Calwire does
Calwire is a privately held, family-owned precision contract manufacturer founded in 1984 by Michael and Christina Grimm as California Wire EDM and rebranded to Calwire Inc. in 2012. The company specializes in the production of high-precision miniature components for the medical device and dental industries, including parts such as heart pump components, catheter tips, surgical instruments, dental implants, abutments, and micro adjusting screws. Manufacturing is conducted from the company's headquarters in Aliso Viejo, California, with 11-50 employees.
Calwire's core technology stack is built around three precision machining modalities: Wire EDM (Mitsubishi machines), Swiss Screw Machining (Tornos machines), and 5-Axis High-Speed Milling (Mikron machines), supplemented by CNC Turning (Mori Seiki SL-15), 3-Axis Milling, and subcontracted Assembly, Welding, and Plating. The company achieves tolerances of +/- 0.0002 on size and location, produces parts with inside diameters as small as 0.12mm and lengths from 0.8mm to 130mm, and works with exotic materials including titanium, beryllium, and kovar. Quality control is anchored by the SmartScope Zip 250 optical measurement system under ISO 9001, with ISO 13485 certification (Dekra-verified) qualifying the firm for medical device OEM supply chains.
The business operates on a quote-based B2B contract manufacturing model, with all pricing determined per part specification, material, and quantity rather than via published rates. Calwire sells directly to enterprise customers via its website quote form, phone, and email, with no resellers, distributors, or marketplace presence. The customer base is concentrated in two primary verticals (medical devices and dental) within the United States. Second-generation owners Jason Grimm (Operations) and Patrick Grimm (Quality Control) joined in 2010 and represent the family's succession plan. The company is privately financed with no external investors, no parent company, and no disclosed acquisitions or fundraising activity.
Calwire firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Calwire
- Legal name
- Calwire Inc.
- Website
- https://calwire.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1984
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Calwire is a family-owned precision contract manufacturer in Aliso Viejo, CA that produces high-tolerance miniature components (tolerances of +/- 0.0002, inside diameters as small as 0.12mm) for medical device and dental industry OEMs using Wire EDM, Swiss Screw Machining, and 5-Axis Milling.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Calwire industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Precision Manufacturing Services
- NAICS
- Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515), Relay and Industrial Control Manufacturing (335314), Current-Carrying Wiring Device Manufacturing (335931)
- SIC
- Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829), Electronic Connectors (3678)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Ruggedized/Harsh-Environment Electronics Manufacturing (IP-rated, shock/vibration, wide-temp) (IMAGAGAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Calibration Services & Standards (Calibration labs, reference standards, traceability services) (IMAGAFAH), Electromechanical Components (Relays, Switches, Potentiometers, Encoders) (IMAGAJAB)
Keywords
Where Calwire is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Aliso Viejo
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Calwire business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Precision Manufacturing Services: Calwire generates revenue through custom precision manufacturing services including Swiss Machining, Wire EDM, and 5-Axis Milling. The company produces made-to-order components for medical and dental industries, likely operating on a project/quotes basis with revenue derived from manufacturing fees for specific parts and components.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom manufacturing quotes based on specifications |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels2 records
Calwire product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Calwire is a precision contract manufacturer that produces high-precision miniature and complex metal components using Swiss Screw Machining, Wire EDM, and 5-Axis High-Speed Milling. The company serves the medical and dental industries with custom-made components (heart pumps, catheter tips, dental implants, abutments, micro adjusting screws) and offers complementary assembly, welding, plating, and quality inspection services. Founded in 1984 as California Wire EDM, the family-owned operation is based in Aliso Viejo, California and operates under ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 certifications.
Product overview
Calwire is a precision manufacturing company offering a unified suite of precision machining services for critical components. The core offerings include Wire EDM, Swiss Screw Machining, 5-Axis High-Speed Milling, CNC Turning, and 3-Axis Milling services, complemented by subcontracted Assembly, Welding, and Plating services. Quality Inspection services using SmartScope Zip 250 optical measurement ensure part quality. The company specializes in manufacturing high-precision miniature parts for medical and dental industries, with product examples including transmission assemblies, dental abutments, heart pump components, catheter tips, and micro adjusting screws. Founded in 1984 as California Wire EDM, the company has expanded from wire EDM into Swiss Screw Machining and multi-axis milling over its 35+ year history.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Wire EDM Machining Services Wire Electrical Discharge Machining services that cut any conductive material with high accuracy, suitable for miniature gear profiles and medical device components.
- Swiss Screw Machining Services Fully automated, highly accurate CNC turning services producing complex micro components for medical, dental, and industrial applications using Tornos Swiss Screw Machines.
- 5-Axis High-Speed Milling Services High-precision 5-axis milling for mold-making, turbines, orthopedic plates, and other complex 3D shapes with contour capabilities, performed on Mikron 400u 5-Axis Milling Machine.
- CNC Turning Services CNC turning services using Mori Seiki SL-15 Lathe for precision cylindrical parts manufacturing.
- 3-Axis Milling Services 3-axis milling services using Mori Seiki MV-40 for precision part manufacturing.
- Assembly Services Subcontracted assembly services for completed machined parts, offered alongside primary machining capabilities.
- Welding Services Subcontracted welding services for machined components.
- Plating Services Subcontracted plating services for surface finishing of machined parts.
- Quality Inspection Services ISO 9001 quality inspection using the SmartScope Zip 250 optical measurement system and other measuring devices to ensure superior part quality.
Companies that use Calwire
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Calwire technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Calwire partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Calwire competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Norman Noble: US-based precision machining job shop specializing in medical device components and implants. Direct competitor to Calwire in ultra-precision, tight-tolerance work for life-critical applications, with comparable Swiss/EDM/milling capabilities.
- Tegra Medical: Medical device contract manufacturer offering precision machining, assembly, and finishing for minimally invasive surgery and implants. Direct peer in serving precision medical components with integrated manufacturing services.
- Micro Precision Components: Specialty precision machining job shop producing miniature, tight-tolerance components. Directly comparable in size, capabilities (Swiss screw machining, EDM, milling), and miniature-part focus to Calwire.
- Interface Plastics: Precision medical device manufacturer offering machining and assembly services for diagnostic and surgical applications. Overlaps with Calwire's precision component manufacturing for medical OEMs.
- Avalign Technologies: Medical device contract manufacturer with precision machining capabilities serving orthopedic, surgical, and dental markets. Comparable vertical focus, ISO 13485 certification, and similar customer base to Calwire.
- Donatelle Plastics: Medical device contract manufacturer with precision machining and molding capabilities serving Class II/III medical devices. Comparable in serving regulated medical OEM customers with tight-tolerance components.
- Command Medical Products: Medical device contract manufacturer specializing in precision components and assemblies for catheters, implants, and surgical instruments. Directly comparable in capabilities, certifications, and customer focus to Calwire.
Others
- Star Micronics: Japanese manufacturer of Swiss-type CNC lathes and precision components used in medical, automotive, and electronics. Comparable technology stack to Calwire's Tornos Swiss machines but as an equipment/component supplier rather than a job shop competitor.
- Tornos SA: Swiss manufacturer of Swiss screw machines and turn-mill solutions widely used in medical device manufacturing. Same machine platform as Calwire uses, and Tornos itself produces precision components, but primarily operates as an equipment vendor in the precision machining ecosystem.
Broad incumbents
- Protolabs: Larger digital manufacturing services provider offering CNC machining, injection molding, and 3D printing for low-volume production. Overlaps with Calwire in precision CNC but at much greater scale, broader technology stack, and with digital front-end automation.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Calwire compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Calwire financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Calwire leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Calwire funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Calwire M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Calwire
What does Calwire do?
Calwire is a precision contract manufacturer that produces high-precision miniature and complex metal components using Swiss Screw Machining, Wire EDM, and 5-Axis High-Speed Milling. The company serves the medical and dental industries with custom-made components (heart pumps, catheter tips, dental implants, abutments, micro adjusting screws) and offers complementary assembly, welding, plating, and quality inspection services. Founded in 1984 as California Wire EDM, the family-owned operation is based in Aliso Viejo, California and operates under ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 certifications.
Is Calwire a public or private company?
Calwire is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Calwire founded?
Calwire was founded in 1984. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Calwire based?
Calwire is headquartered in Aliso Viejo, United States, in the North America region.
How does Calwire make money?
One revenue line is on record: precision Manufacturing Services.
Who are Calwire's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Norman Noble, Tegra Medical, Micro Precision Components, Interface Plastics, Avalign Technologies, Donatelle Plastics and Command Medical Products. Others are Star Micronics and Tornos SA. Protolabs is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Calwire have an API?
No public API is recorded for Calwire.
What industry is Calwire in?
Calwire's product category is Precision Manufacturing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGAGAF, Ruggedized/Harsh-Environment Electronics Manufacturing (IP-rated, shock/vibration, wide-temp), with a secondary code of IMAGAFAH, Calibration Services & Standards (Calibration labs, reference standards, traceability services). Its NAICS code is 334515 and its SIC code is 3829.