Production Engineering

What Production Engineering does

Production Engineering Corporation is a privately held, family-owned contract manufacturer founded in 1964 and headquartered at 3515 Marshall Street NE in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The company provides precision CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, welding (GMAW, GTAW, spot, and robotic), complex assembly, and mil-spec painting and finishing. It operates from a 67,000 sq ft climate-controlled manufacturing facility plus a separate 10,000 sq ft paint and finishing facility, and is notable for being able to precision-machine large components up to 159.8" x 125.9" x 42.7" with tolerances within 0.0005". Equipment includes 5-axis, 4-axis horizontal, and 3-axis vertical CNC machines, a Pana Robo VR-All robotic welding cell, and advanced metrology such as Romer, Sheffield, and Mitutoyo CMMs and optical comparators.

The company's core products are organized into four fabrication capabilities (Hog Outs, Sheet Metal Assemblies, Enclosures & Cabinets, and Computer Chassis) supported by five manufacturing processes (Sheet Metal Fabrication, Welding, Precision CNC Machining, Assembly, and Painting & Finishing), with two engineering add-on services (Cost Saving Design and CAD using SolidWorks and Virtual Gibbs CAM). It holds AS9100D aerospace quality certification and ITAR registration, and sources 100% of materials domestically. Its primary customers are aerospace and defense primes (launch system components, APU components, munitions dispenser parts, control panels, naval ship components) with a secondary computer/electronics vertical (mainframe chassis, enclosures, heat sinks). The sub-brand Excel Metal Finishing extends mil-spec CARC painting capability.

The business model is project-based contract manufacturing with custom quote-based pricing and multi-year contracts covering R&D prototyping, low rate production, and full rate production. Go-to-market is direct enterprise field sales driven by relationship-based engagement and repeat program business. Revenue is concentrated in aerospace and defense verticals, with no publicly disclosed financials, no institutional investors, and no parent company. The operating geography is the United States only.

Name

Production Engineering

Legal name

Production Engineering Corporation

Website

https://productionengineeringcorp.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Production Engineering Corporation is a privately held, family-owned Minneapolis contract manufacturer founded in 1964, providing precision CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, welding, assembly, and mil-spec finishing to aerospace, defense, and computer/electronics OEMs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Contract Manufacturing Services: Project-based contract manufacturing for precision machined parts, sheet metal components, weldments, and complex assemblies. Revenue generated through low rate production (LRP), full rate production (FRP), R&D prototyping, and spares/replacement parts. Customers range from aerospace and defense to computer/electronics industries.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Production Engineering Corporation is a contract manufacturer providing precision CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, multi-process welding (GMAW, GTAW, spot, robotic), electromechanical assembly, and mil-spec painting and finishing for aerospace, defense/military, and computer/electronics OEMs. Deliverables range from R&D prototypes and hog-outs through low-rate and full-rate production runs, including spares and replacement parts. Operations span a 67,000 sq ft climate-controlled main facility plus a 10,000 sq ft separate paint/finishing facility in Minneapolis.

Product overview

Production Engineering Corporation is a contract manufacturing company offering a comprehensive suite of precision manufacturing services. The portfolio centers on four core fabrication product lines—Hog Outs, Sheet Metal Assemblies, Enclosures & Cabinets, and Computer Chassis—supported by five manufacturing process capabilities (Sheet Metal Fabrication, Welding Services including Robotic/Aluminum/Alloy/Stainless Steel Welding, Precision CNC Machining, Assembly, and Painting & Finishing). Two engineering services—Cost Saving Design and CAD—complement the manufacturing operations as add-on modules that enable concurrent engineering and design optimization. The company serves aerospace, defense, and computer/electronics industries with turnkey solutions from R&D prototyping through full rate production.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Excel Metal Finishing: Provides painting services for Aerospace and Defense mil-spec applications, including CARC painting and other special finishing capabilities.

Products and services

• Hog Outs Precision CNC machining service that produces high-quality hog outs from a single piece of material, enabling completed parts per print without the high cost of molds and tooling. Suited for aerospace, defense, and electronics OEM customers needing prototyping or low-volume precision components.
• Sheet Metal Assemblies Turnkey service for sheet metal assemblies encompassing fabrication, precision machining, robotic welding, hardware installation, and finishing. For customers needing a single-source build of fabricated assemblies.
• Enclosures & Cabinets Fabrication services for modules, enclosures, and cabinets for military and commercial applications, including Navy enclosures, control panel cabinets, and radar/surveillance system enclosures. Targets defense and commercial OEM customers requiring mil-spec or ruggedized enclosures.
• Computer Chassis Precision sheet metal fabrication for computer chassis including outside casings and internal components such as brackets, braces, bus bars, card files, grid work, and harnesses. Built for computer and electronics OEMs including mainframe and field-computing customers.
• Sheet Metal Fabrication Complete sheet metal fabrication services for enclosures, cabinets, and computer chassis in aluminum and steel for low rate and full rate production runs as well as R&D projects. For aerospace, defense, and electronics OEM customers needing tight-tolerance formed components.
• Welding Services GMAW, GTAW, spot welding, and robotic welding services with specialty aerospace welding and certified mil-spec weldment capabilities across aluminum, mild steel, stainless steel, alloys, and carbon steels. Sub-offerings include Aluminum Welding, Alloy Welding, Stainless Steel Welding, and Robotic Welding.
• Precision CNC Machining Precision CNC machining services for repetitive batch, low rate and full rate production runs, R&D, and hog out applications with 5-axis, horizontal, and vertical milling equipment capable of machining components up to 160" x 126" x 42". For aerospace, defense, and electronics OEM customers.
• Assembly Services Full range of assembly services including manual assembly of frames, cabinets, and large items; functional component sub-tier assembly; wire harnesses; electromechanical assembly; and aesthetic/cosmetic finishing services. Manual complex assembly of electro-mechanical assemblies, sub-assemblies, cabinet components, and kitting is included within this service.
• Painting and Finishing Complete painting and finishing services specializing in defense/aerospace industries including defense CARC painting and commercial applications for computer, medical, and electronic display enclosures. Operated through the Excel Metal Finishing sub-brand within a 10,000 sq ft dedicated facility.
• Cost Saving Design Engineering consultation services providing design assistance, testing, and process development to optimize manufacturability and reduce manufacturing costs. Supports OEM customers refining designs for manufacturability.
• CAD Services Computer-aided design services using SolidWorks and Virtual Gibbs CAM software, with support for IGES, DXF, STEP, and CATIA file formats for concurrent engineering projects. For OEM customers requiring CAD/CAM file preparation and design work.

Quantifiable outcome

• Components manufactured to tolerances within 0.0005" with perfect repeatability
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Hydro, Inc. Precision machining and component remanufacturing services for aerospace, defense, and industrial customers. Comparable in precision CNC machining capabilities and AS9100-certified quality systems serving similar end markets.
• Ducommun Incorporated: Aerospace and defense structural components manufacturer with capabilities in precision machining, sheet metal fabrication, assembly, and electronic enclosures. Comparable business model serving similar aerospace and defense primes with AS9100-certified fabrication.
• Astro Manufacturing & Design: Mid-sized precision machining and sheet metal fabrication contract manufacturer serving aerospace, defense, and medical OEMs. Closely comparable in size, certification profile (AS9100/ISO), and capability mix of CNC machining, welding, and assembly.
• Protolabs: Digital manufacturing services provider offering CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, and injection molding for low-volume production. Directly comparable as a contract manufacturer serving aerospace, defense, and electronics OEMs with quick-turn precision parts.
• Kapco Global: Aerospace MRO and manufacturing services provider with capabilities in sheet metal fabrication, machining, and assemblies. Comparable as a mid-market contract manufacturer serving aerospace and defense customers with FAA and industry certifications.

Emerging players

• Stratasys: Additive manufacturing solutions provider increasingly serving aerospace and defense customers with low-volume, complex part production. Compares as an alternative manufacturing technology competing for prototyping and limited-rate production work that PEC also pursues.

Broad incumbents

• Triumph Group: Large aerospace Tier 1 supplier of precision-machined components, assemblies, and structural parts for commercial and military aviation. Comparable in product category (aerospace structural/mechanical components) but significantly larger and more diversified across global programs.
• Precision Castparts Corp (Berkshire Hathaway): Berkshire Hathaway-owned supplier of complex aerospace components including investment castings, machined parts, and fabricated structures. Overlaps with PEC in machined aerospace and defense components but operates at far greater scale across multiple processes.
• Kaman Aerospace: Diversified aerospace manufacturer producing precision components, structures, and sub-assemblies for defense and commercial customers. Comparable in precision components and assemblies for aerospace primes but with broader product portfolio and global footprint.
• Moog Inc. Precision motion control and components manufacturer serving aerospace, defense, and industrial markets. Comparable as a high-precision, AS9100-certified manufacturer of complex components and assemblies, though focused on motion-control systems rather than general fabrication.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/production-engineering-corporation

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Production Engineering