Concept Machine
Concept Machine is a value-added distributor and integrator of advanced manufacturing solutions—machine tools, metrology, additive manufacturing, automation, and ISO 17025 calibration—serving precision manufacturers across 18 U.S. states through a family of six acquired companies.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1974
- HeadquartersMinneapolis, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Concept Machine does
Concept Machine Tool Sales Inc. (operating as Concept / Concept Advanced Manufacturing Solutions) is a privately held, value-added distributor and systems integrator of advanced manufacturing equipment and services, headquartered in Plymouth, Minnesota. Founded in 1974 and led by CEO Andrew Hecker, the company has assembled a six-entity family of businesses—Concept (Minnesota/Wisconsin), B.C. MacDonald & Co., Metrology Center, Inspection Engineering LLC, and American Calibration Inc.—that collectively operate 9 to 11 physical locations and cover 18 U.S. states, with American Calibration extending national reach for calibration services.
The company's offering is organized around four operational pillars—Make, Measure, Automate, and Calibrate. It distributes CNC machine tools (turning, milling, grinding, 5-axis, Swiss lathe, EDM from brands including Kitamura, Star CNC, UNITED GRINDING, INDEX, Milltronics, Mitsubishi, and Hermle); metrology and inspection equipment (ZEISS, FARO, Mitutoyo, Bruker, Renishaw, GOM); additive manufacturing systems (Farsoon, Photocentric, Roboze, XYZ Printing); and automation solutions as a FANUC Authorized System Integrator. On the services side, it operates ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited labs offering 350+ calibration types, ANAB-accredited environmentally controlled inspection labs with six ZEISS Bridge CMMs, CMM and optical programming, laser/ballbar calibration, and three-tiered preventive maintenance programs. Calibrations carry a 3–5 day standard turnaround with 24-hour rush and nationwide 24/7 emergency service.
The business model combines one-time equipment sales with recurring calibration, inspection, programming, training, parts, and maintenance services. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales through regional showrooms and offices, supplemented by quote-based digital lead capture, content marketing, and an annual SteakFest open house plus ZEISS CALYPSO users group events. The customer base of more than 2,000 spans medical device, aerospace, automotive/powertrain, molds and tooling, recreation, and industrial job shops. Equipment financing is facilitated through US Bank and Tech Financial partnerships. Concept has grown primarily through acquisition—B.C. MacDonald and Metrology Center in March 2021, and Inspection Engineering and American Calibration in September 2023—tripling its service organization over two years and roughly one-third of its ~200-person workforce has been hired within the past 24 months.
Concept Machine firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Concept Machine
- Legal name
- Concept Machine Tool Sales Inc.
- Website
- https://conceptmachine.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1974
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Concept Machine is a value-added distributor and integrator of advanced manufacturing solutions—machine tools, metrology, additive manufacturing, automation, and ISO 17025 calibration—serving precision manufacturers across 18 U.S. states through a family of six acquired companies.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Concept Machine industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Equipment Distribution & Manufacturing Services
- NAICS
- Machine Tool Manufacturing (333517), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing (3339)
- SIC
- Machine Tools, Metal Cutting Types (3541), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Misc Industrial & Commercial Machinery & Equipment (3590)
- akta.pro primary industry
- CNC Machine Tools (Turning, Milling, Machining Centers) (IMAHADAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Motion & Machine Control (CNC, Robotics Controllers, Servo/Motion Controllers) (IMAGABAG), Factory Automation Cells & Integrated Systems (Assembly, Welding, Painting Lines) (IMAHAHAL)
Keywords
Where Concept Machine is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Minneapolis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices10 records
Markets served
Concept Machine business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Equipment Sales: Sales of machine tools (CNC lathes, machining centers, 5-axis, grinding), metrology equipment (CMMs, vision systems, optical measurement), and additive manufacturing systems (3D printers for metal and polymer)
- Calibration Services: ISO 17025 accredited calibration services including dimensional, mechanical, electronic, RF, with standard 3-5 day turnaround and 24-hour emergency service available nationwide
- Machine Tool Services: On-site service, diagnostics, preventive maintenance, spindle rebuilds, parts replacement, laser and ballbar calibration, and installation/de-installation services
- Parts and Consumables: Replacement parts, EDM supplies, tooling, accessories, and industrial supplies distributed through Minnesota and Wisconsin offices
- Financing Services: Equipment financing assistance through partnerships with US Bank and Tech Financial, plus lease calculator tools
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Equipment sales - quote-based pricing |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Calibration services - standard 3-5 day turnaround |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels10 records
Concept Machine product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Concept Machine is a value-added distributor and integrator of advanced manufacturing solutions, selling CNC machine tools, metrology/precision measurement equipment, additive manufacturing systems, and automation solutions from brands such as ZEISS, Kitamura, FANUC, Farsoon, and UNITED GRINDING. The company complements equipment sales with ISO 17025 accredited calibration, ANAB accredited dimensional inspection, CMM programming, preventive maintenance, training, and financing assistance, delivered through a family of companies operating nine offices across 18 states in the upper Midwest and Great Lakes regions.
Product overview
Concept is an advanced manufacturing solutions distributor operating as a platform of six related companies (Concept, B.C. MacDonald, Metrology Center, Inspection Engineering, and American Calibration) offering equipment and services across four core pillars: Make (machine tools for CNC turning, milling, grinding, 5-axis, Swiss lathe, and EDM), Measure (metrology and dimensional inspection including CMMs, vision systems, 3D scanning, and CT), Calibrate (over 350 types of accredited calibration across dimensional, mechanical, electronic/RF, and optical), and Automate (FANUC-based automation integration, machine tending, and turn-key solutions). The portfolio is organized around machine tools, metrology, additive manufacturing, automation solutions, calibration services, inspection/programming services, and supporting consumables (EDM supplies, tooling, replacement parts). These offerings are distributed through 9-11 physical locations across 18 states, supported by mobile field technicians and ISO 17025 accredited labs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Machine Tools
Quantifiable outcome
- 35% faster service delivery
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Concept Machine
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Concept Machine technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Concept Machine partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- American Calibration Inc.coreAcquired in September 2023, American Calibration was founded in 1992 and serves Fortune 500 and small manufacturers offering more than 350 types of accredited calibration with one of the largest ISO 17025 scopes available. Expands Concept's calibration capabilities to national level.
- Inspection Engineering LLCcoreAcquired in September 2023, Inspection Engineering is a full-service gage house offering inspection services and equipment throughout the Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic region. Second-generation family business founded in 1977, led by Michael Bergmann. Covers part or all of eight states.
- B.C. MacDonald & Co.coreAcquired in March 2021 along with subsidiary Metrology Center. B.C. MacDonald sells and services measuring and gaging equipment, specialized cutting tools, and cutting fluids across Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, and other states. Three-generation family business.
- FANUC AmericacoreConcept is a FANUC Authorized System Integrator, capable of facilitating customer automation journeys with machine tending, robot loading, bar feeders, and integrated automation solutions.
- UNITED GRINDING North AmericacoreAppointed as exclusive distributor for cylindrical, surface, and profile grinding as well as tool making and measuring through five states (Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota) for sales, service, and consumables. Represents STUDER, Walter, Mägerle, Blohm brands.
- STAR CNCcoreAppointed exclusive distributor for Swiss-type Machine Tools through nine states (Minnesota, Northern Wisconsin, Southern Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota) for sales, service, and consumables.
- Farsoon TechnologiescoreAppointed exclusive distributor for metal and plastic laser powder bed fusion 3D printers and additive manufacturing products through nine states (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota) for sales, service, and consumables.
- QC Training Services, Inc.minorPartnership for quality inspection training offerings including GD&T, Statistical Process Control, Measurement Uncertainty Budgets, and other technical courses delivered at Concept's training facility.
- Kitamura MachinerycoreLong-standing partnership representing Kitamura horizontal, vertical, and 5-axis machining centers known for high precision and accuracy.
- ZEISS Industrial MetrologycoreExclusive representation of ZEISS coordinate measuring machines, multi-sensor measurement systems, industrial CT and X-ray solutions, and optical measurement equipment.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Concept Machine competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Methods Machine Tools: National CNC machine tool distributor and integrator with a multi-region sales/service footprint. Closest comparable to Concept in business model: value-added distributor of CNC mills, lathes, and EDM plus automation integration and applications support across the U.S.
- Ellison Technologies: U.S. CNC machine tool distributor and automation integrator representing major brands including Makino, Okuma, and others. Directly comparable to Concept in offering machine tools plus FANUC-style automation integration and field service across a national territory.
- Hartwig: Regional CNC machine tool distributor with offices across the Midwest and South U.S. representing Mazak and other premium brands. Closely comparable to Concept in go-to-market (regional showrooms, applications engineering, automation) and end-market focus.
- Gosiger: U.S. distributor of CNC machine tools (Okuma), automation, and aftermarket services. Operates a similar model to Concept with regional coverage, application engineering, and customer support for precision manufacturers.
- Morris Group: Multi-brand machine tool distributor (Haas, Okuma, etc.) with regional offices across the Midwest and Northeast U.S. Highly comparable business model to Concept: value-added distribution, applications support, and service for precision CNC customers.
- Productivity Inc: Midwest-based distributor specializing in metrology, precision measurement, and machine tools with a strong focus on quality and inspection solutions. Closely comparable to Concept's Metrology Center subsidiary and ZEISS representation business.
- Transcat: U.S. calibration services and distributed measurement products provider with ISO 17025 accredited labs. Directly comparable to Concept's American Calibration subsidiary in the recurring calibration services line of business.
- Trescal: Global calibration services company with strong U.S. presence providing accredited calibration across dimensional, electronic, and physical parameters. Closely comparable to American Calibration's scope and the recurring-revenue calibration model within Concept's platform.
Broad incumbents
- MSC Industrial: Large U.S. industrial MRO distributor with a much broader catalog than Concept (cutting tools, MRO supplies, safety). Overlaps with Concept in tooling/accessories and metalworking consumables, but MSC is a broad incumbent rather than a precision-machinery specialist.
- Grainger: Largest U.S. industrial MRO distributor with national scale and a broad product portfolio. Tangentially comparable to Concept as a broad industrial distributor, but Grainger operates in facility MRO rather than precision CNC equipment and metrology.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Concept Machine social profiles
Digital presenceConcept Machine compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Concept Machine financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Concept Machine leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Concept Machine subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Concept Machine funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Concept Machine M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Concept Machine
What does Concept Machine do?
Concept Machine is a value-added distributor and integrator of advanced manufacturing solutions, selling CNC machine tools, metrology/precision measurement equipment, additive manufacturing systems, and automation solutions from brands such as ZEISS, Kitamura, FANUC, Farsoon, and UNITED GRINDING. The company complements equipment sales with ISO 17025 accredited calibration, ANAB accredited dimensional inspection, CMM programming, preventive maintenance, training, and financing assistance, delivered through a family of companies operating nine offices across 18 states in the upper Midwest and Great Lakes regions.
Is Concept Machine a public or private company?
Concept Machine is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Concept Machine founded?
Concept Machine was founded in 1974. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Concept Machine based?
Concept Machine is headquartered in Minneapolis, United States, in the North America region.
How does Concept Machine make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Equipment Sales are the primary driver. The others are calibration Services, machine Tool Services, parts and Consumables and financing Services.
Who are Concept Machine's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Methods Machine Tools, Ellison Technologies, Hartwig, Gosiger, Morris Group, Productivity Inc, Transcat and Trescal. Broad incumbents are MSC Industrial and Grainger.
Does Concept Machine have an API?
No public API is recorded for Concept Machine.
What industry is Concept Machine in?
Concept Machine's product category is Industrial Equipment Distribution & Manufacturing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHADAA, CNC Machine Tools (Turning, Milling, Machining Centers), with a secondary code of IMAGABAG, Motion & Machine Control (CNC, Robotics Controllers, Servo/Motion Controllers). Its NAICS code is 333517 and its SIC code is 3541.