Star Cutter Company

What Star Cutter Company does

Star Cutter Company is a fourth-generation, family-owned precision tooling and grinding-machine manufacturer founded in 1927 and headquartered in Farmington Hills, Michigan, with stated annual revenue of approximately $150 million and 750+ employees across 15 facilities worldwide serving 100+ countries. The business is organized around three vertically integrated units: H.B. Carbide (tungsten carbide blanks and pre-forms from powder), Star SU LLC (global sales, marketing, and service affiliate with offices in the US, Mexico, Brazil, Italy, Germany, France, China, India, and South Korea), and the Star Cutter machine and round-tool operations.

The company's commercial portfolio spans five product families: (1) custom-engineered round tools including solid carbide drills, reamers, deep-hole gundrills (with patented variants such as the Double Jet Gundrill and Super Round Tool achieving 2–4 micron accuracy), PCD tooling for non-ferrous materials, and firearm barrel reamers and rifle buttons; (2) CNC tool-grinding machines including the NXT and FLX 5-axis tool-and-cutter grinders (integrated with NUMROTO and ESPRIT CAM), the UTG broach grinder line, and the TRU TECH centerless and cylindrical grinder families; (3) gear cutting tools sold and serviced through Star SU; (4) carbide raw materials from H.B. Carbide; and (5) a tool services layer comprising reconditioning, resharpening, Oerlikon Balzers PVD coatings, and a "Total Tool Lifecycle Repair" cost-per-piece program across 14+ service centers.

Revenue is generated through quote-based hardware sales of proprietary cutting tools and grinding machines, professional reconditioning and coating services, and managed lifecycle contracts — frequently structured as multi-year engagements with engineering-driven specification. Customer concentration is spread across aerospace, automotive, defense, medical devices, hydraulics, and firearm manufacturing, served via direct enterprise field sales, IMTS-channel demand generation, and technical content marketing. GTM is reinforced by ISO 9001:2015 certification, a Grinding Machine Remanufacturing Program, and dedicated product management and sales director roles for cutting tools and grinding systems.

Name

Star Cutter Company

Legal name

Star Cutter Company

Website

https://starcutter.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1927

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Star Cutter Company is a fourth-generation family-owned manufacturer (founded 1927) producing custom carbide cutting tools, gundrills, PCD tooling, and CNC tool-and-cutter grinding machines for aerospace, automotive, defense, medical device, hydraulics, and firearm customers worldwide through its Star SU sales affiliate and H.B. Carbide subsidiary.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Cutting Tools and CNC Grinding Machines

NAICS

Cutting Tool and Machine Tool Accessory Manufacturing (333515), Machine Tool Manufacturing (333517)

SIC

Metalworkg Machinery & Equipment (3540), Machine Tools, Metal Cutting Types (3541)

akta.pro primary industry

Metal Cutting Tools, Tooling & Workholding (Cutters, Inserts, Chucks, Fixtures) (IMAHADAB)

Keywords

• Precision cutting tools
• CNC grinding machines
• Deep hole drilling
• Carbide blanks
• Gear cutting tools

Headquarters

HQ city

Farmington Hills

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices14 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Precision Cutting Tools: Custom-engineered solid carbide cutting tools including drills, reamers, PCD tooling, and gundrills sold to manufacturing customers across multiple industries
2. CNC Tool Grinding Machines: Sale of 5-axis CNC tool and cutter grinding machines, centerless grinders, cylindrical grinders, and broach grinders along with software packages (NUMROTO, ESPRIT)
3. Tool Services: Tool reconditioning, resharpening, and recoating services through 14+ service centers globally, including partnership with Oerlikon Balzers for advanced PVD coatings
4. Total Tool Lifecycle Management: Comprehensive tool lifecycle programs including innovative cost/piece tool rental with resharpening, recoating, pickup and delivery; special tool licensing with flat rates based on annual volume
5. Carbide Blanks and Pre-forms: Tungsten carbide custom and standard blanks and pre-forms manufactured by H.B. Carbide affiliate, serving as raw materials for cutting tool manufacturing

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Star Cutter Company manufactures and sells custom-engineered solid carbide cutting tools (drills, reamers, gundrills, PCD tooling) and CNC 5-axis tool and cutter grinding machines, along with tungsten carbide blanks through affiliate H.B. Carbide and gear cutting tools through Star SU LLC. The company serves industrial manufacturers across automotive, aerospace, defense, medical device, hydraulics, and firearms sectors with a vertically integrated operation spanning raw carbide materials, finished tools, CNC grinding machinery, and tool lifecycle services including reconditioning, recoating, and remanufacturing.

Product overview

Star Cutter Company is a world leader in the cutting tool industry, offering a diversified portfolio organized around vertically integrated business units. The portfolio spans five core product families: (1) Round Tools — custom-engineered cutting tools including Custom Carbide Drills, Custom Carbide Reamers, Deep Hole Drilling Solutions (gundrills, twist drills, barrel reamers, rifle buttons), and PCD Tooling; (2) CNC Tool Grinders — five distinct machine lines: the NXT (5-axis CNC tool and cutter grinder with optional Fanuc robot automation), FLX (compact 5-axis grinder with FlexiumPro CNC and lights-out capability), UTG (broach grinder in four length variations), and the TRU TECH family (centerless grinders T93XM/TT8500 and cylindrical grinders TT1020M/T23XM); (3) Carbide Materials — H.B. Carbide blanks and pre-forms manufactured from powder; (4) Gear Tools — sold and serviced globally by affiliate Star SU LLC; and (5) Tool Services — round tool reconditioning and resharpening, Oerlikon Balzers PVD coating services, total tool lifecycle management, gear tool resharpening, and grinding machine service/remanufacturing. The company's NXT and FLX grinders feature NUMROTO software, with ESPRIT CAM exclusive to the NXT for medical tooling; both are offered alongside machine services, remanufacturing programs, and the In-Stock Express program for expedited gundrill delivery.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Custom Carbide Drills Custom-engineered solid carbide drills with application-specific geometries, carbide grades, and advanced coatings for industrial manufacturers machining aluminum, cast iron, and exotic materials. Available in diameters from .1575" to 4.00", with options for aluminum-specific drills, core drills, and custom port/cavity machining tools.
• Custom Carbide Reamers Custom carbide reamers engineered for hole quality, accuracy, and machining efficiency using optimized geometries and advanced coatings. Includes the patented Super Round Tool (SRT) combining straight and helical flutes for micron-level accuracy and valve guide reamers with pressurized coolant.
• Deep Hole Drilling Solutions Deep hole drilling solutions for high diameter-to-depth ratios including Single Flute Gundrills, Solid Carbide Single Flute Gundrills, Double Jet Gundrills, Double Crimp Gundrills, Two-Flute/Two-Hole Milled Style Gundrills, Solid Carbide Twist Drills, Barrel Push-Pull Reamers, and Rifle Buttons for firearm manufacturing.
• Double Pilot Reamer Cutting tool designed for deep-hole and high-precision barrel machining with a fully guided cutting approach that delivers up to ten times longer tool life compared to conventional reamers while reducing deflection, vibration, scrap rates, and rework.
• PCD Tooling Polycrystalline Diamond (PCD) tooling for non-ferrous materials including aluminum, magnesium, copper, brass, wood, graphite, and fiberglass. Includes PCD drills, reamers, face milling cutters, deep pocket side mills, combination tooling, and interpolation tools in stick tool and monoblock designs.
• NXT CNC 5-Axis Tool and Cutter Grinder Star Cutter NXT CNC 5-axis tool and cutter grinding system with modular design, linear motors, up to 5-station wheel changer, optional Fanuc LR Mate 200iD robot automation, and NUMROTO or ESPRIT CAM software options. Suited for drills, reamers, milling cutters, medical tools, gear tools, and broach tools.
• FLX 5-Axis Tool and Cutter Grinder FLX 5-axis CNC tool and cutter grinding system designed for flexibility with FlexiumPro CNC controls (10x faster), 30% faster wheel change, up to 15 wheel stations, modular automation for high-volume lights-out manufacturing, and NUMROTO software. Suited for end mills and drills.
• TRU TECH Precision Grinders TRU TECH grinding systems recognized for ease of use and ultrafast setup, including centerless grinders (T93XM Series, T93XM-A, TT8500) with patented 3-point workholding and cylindrical grinders (TT1020M, T23XM) for precision OD grinding. Accommodates parts from less than 1mm to 75mm diameter.
• UTG Series Broach Grinder Star Cutter UTG Series CNC-driven universal tool grinders available in four length variations (UTG-600 through UTG-2400) for part lengths of 3mm to 2400mm (1/8"–94"). Backed by NUM 6-axis CNC controller, glass scales on all linear axes, and onboard programmable wheel truing.
• H.B. Carbide Blanks and Pre-forms Tungsten carbide custom, altered standard, and standard blanks and pre-forms manufactured from powder through finished ground blanks by H.B. Carbide affiliate. Available in a comprehensive selection of grades for high-performance near-net shaped tools.
• Star SU Gear Tools and Round Tools Global sales affiliate offering gear hobs and milling cutters, gear shaper cutters and shaving tools, scudding, skiving, chamfer and deburring tools, vertical gear hobbing machines, round tools, and Louis Belet Swiss cutting tools, with presence in North America, South America, China, South Korea, India, and Europe.
• Round Tool Reconditioning Services Tool reconditioning and resharpening services for deep hole drills, special carbide drills, reamers, cavity port tooling, and fixed pocket PCD tooling. Includes edge preparation, coating selections, application support, and pickup/delivery programs serviced in the U.S.A.
• Tool Coating Services High-performance tool coatings delivered through strategic partnership with Oerlikon Balzers using PVD coating technology, state-of-the-art cleaning lines, vacuum chambers, and inspection equipment. Star Cutter provides customer support in determining the best coating for any application.
• Total Tool Lifecycle Management Complete tool lifecycle management from initial design to end-of-life recycling. Includes cost-per-piece tool rental with resharpening, recoating, and pickup/delivery; special tool licensing with flat rate based on annual volume; and 14 service centers located worldwide.
• Gear Tool Resharpening and Recoating Services CNC grinding machine-based tool resharpening and recoating services for gear tools including hobs, shaper cutters, shaving cutters, milling cutters, master gears, rack cutters, saw cutters, cylindrical and flat broaches. Uses advanced PVD coatings from Oerlikon Balzers.
• Tool Grinding Machine Service and Support Comprehensive service and support for Star Cutter grinding machines including field support with diagnosis, repair, remote troubleshooting, and training; spare parts supply; scheduled and emergency maintenance; AR support services; remote service via TeamViewer; one-year standard warranty; preventative maintenance contracts; machine rebuilds; and control system upgrades.
• Grinding Machine Remanufacturing Program Program that restores aging Star Cutter grinding machines to or beyond original OEM performance levels through modern control, mechanical, and electrical upgrades, typically costing up to 40% less than purchasing new equipment. Includes three-tier remanufacturing approach, accuracy restoration, extended machine life, options to add automation, used and reconditioned machine sales, and trade-in programs.
• In-Stock Express Programs Expedited delivery programs for gundrills including SFGD Express In-Stock (ships within 24 hours), SCGD Express (Single Flute Solid Carbide Gundrills), and SFGD Custom Express (custom designs shipped within a week).

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 10x longer tool life compared to conventional reamers with Double Pilot Reamer
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• REGO-FIX Center for Machining Excellence (CME)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 May 2025Star SU partnership with REGO-FIX Center for Machining Excellence to showcase Louis Belet Swiss cutting tool capabilities. The CME regularly hosts machining events for live demonstrations, networking, and application success sharing. Star SU personnel attend to run demonstrations and discuss trends.
• Oerlikon BalzerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership for high-performance PVD tool coatings. Oerlikon Balzers provides world-class surface technology through state-of-the-art vacuum chambers and inspection equipment. Star Cutter provides technical expertise to help determine best coating for any application.
• Star SU LLCcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStar SU LLC is the marketing, sales and service affiliate of Star Cutter Company with global presence including North America, South America, China, South Korea, India and Europe. It serves as the single technology source for gear manufacturers offering machinery, precision cutting tools, and services.
• H.B. CarbidecoreOthersAffiliate company manufacturing tungsten carbide custom, altered standard and standard blanks and pre-forms from powder through finished ground blanks, providing raw materials for Star Cutter cutting tool manufacturing.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• OSG USA: OSG USA is the North American subsidiary of OSG Corporation, manufacturing taps, drills, end mills, and PCD tooling for industrial customers. Overlaps directly with Star Cutter in solid carbide drills, reamers, and PCD tooling categories.
• Emuge Corp. Emuge is a German manufacturer of taps, thread mills, drills, and precision clamping tools with strong North American presence. Comparable specialty precision tooling competitor to Star Cutter in round tool categories.
• Guhring Inc. Guhring is a German-founded global manufacturer of rotary cutting tools including solid carbide drills, reamers, and deep-hole drilling tools. Directly comparable to Star Cutter in custom-engineered precision round tools for aerospace, automotive, and medical applications.
• Rollomatic Inc. Rollomatic is a Swiss manufacturer of CNC tool grinders, laser cutting machines, and specialized production equipment for cutting tool manufacturing. Direct competitor to Star Cutter's NXT and FLX tool grinder lines for high-precision tool production.
• ANCA CNC Machines: ANCA is an Australian manufacturer of CNC tool and cutter grinding machines, competing directly with Star Cutter's NXT and FLX 5-axis grinder product lines. Comparable in serving the tool manufacturing customer base with software-rich grinding platforms.

Broad incumbents

• Kennametal Inc. Kennametal is a major global tooling solutions provider offering metal cutting tools, inserts, drills, reamers, and toolholding systems across aerospace, defense, automotive, and industrial markets. Competes with Star Cutter across round tools, PCD tooling, and gear cutting categories with broader catalog and global distribution.
• Sandvik Coromant: Sandvik Coromant is the cutting tools division of Sandvik AB, offering a comprehensive portfolio of carbide drills, reamers, gundrills, PCD tooling, and gear cutting tools serving the same automotive, aerospace, and general metalworking customers as Star Cutter. It is the largest direct competitor by scale and global reach.
• Walter Tools (Walter USA): Walter Tools, part of the United Grinding Group, produces precision cutting tools including drills, reamers, and indexable inserts serving automotive and aerospace markets. Competitor in the precision tooling segment with broader product breadth and integrated grinding machine offerings.
• Seco Tools: Seco Tools, part of Sandvik Machining Solutions, produces metal cutting tools including drills, reamers, milling cutters, and turning tools serving aerospace, automotive, and general engineering markets. Competes with Star Cutter across broad precision tooling categories with global brand recognition.

Regional players

• Sutton Tools: Sutton Tools is an Australian manufacturer of cutting tools including drills, taps, and reamers for industrial and consumer markets. Comparable in precision round tool manufacturing with primary focus on Asia-Pacific geography, partially overlapping with Star Cutter's footprint.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Star-SU-102717464755451
• Xx.com/StarCutterCo

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Star Cutter Company