What Michigan Custom Machines does

Michigan Custom Machines (MCM), founded in 1994 and headquartered in Rochester Hills, Michigan, designs and builds advanced custom test machines for automotive and industrial component manufacturers. The company's core competency is in hydraulics, controls, electronics, and fixture design, integrated with PLC-based automation systems and proprietary software (INGEAR-based driver solutions that eliminate runtime licensing fees). MCM offers a portfolio spanning fuel injection testing (XstreaM shot-to-shot flowmeter, XcitE universal fuel injector driver), cam phasing valve testers, water pump test stands, common rail pump testers, and rotating control device durability testers, alongside complete turnkey test systems and contract manufacturing services.

The company serves enterprise customers across automotive (Ford, GM, Bosch, Continental, Delphi, Denso, Eaton, Valeo), industrial (Caterpillar, John Deere, Parker, GE), and adjacent verticals (medical, aerospace, oil and gas, military/defense). Its go-to-market is direct enterprise field sales led by named C-suite and VP-level contacts (CTO, CCO, VP Sales), with engineering consultation and custom specification as the standard sales process. Revenue derives primarily from one-time sales of custom test machines, supplemented by ongoing service, parts, field support, and contract manufacturing. The company reports repeat customer business exceeding 85% year-over-year, and some installed machines have operated for more than 20 years.

In June 2022, MCM was acquired by Automation Controls & Engineering (ACE) of Howell, MI, combining MCM's testing expertise with ACE's automation, robotics, and systems integration capabilities under a unified turnkey offering. MCM continues to operate as a subsidiary with Mike Schena as President. The company maintains 35,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space in Novi, MI, and operates within a broader parent footprint of 60,000+ sq. ft. across Howell and Jackson, MI. The acquisition expanded MCM's addressable scope beyond individual test machines into fully integrated automation and test systems.

Name

Michigan Custom Machines

Legal name

Michigan Custom Machines, Inc.

Website

https://michigancustommachines.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Michigan Custom Machines designs and builds advanced custom test machines for automotive and industrial component manufacturers, specializing in fuel injection, powertrain, and hydraulic testing. Founded in 1994 and now an ACE subsidiary, it serves Tier 1 OEMs directly via turnkey engineering and build-to-print services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Novi

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 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. Custom Test Machine Sales: Design, build, and sell custom test machines for automotive and industrial component manufacturers. Machines include cam phasing valve testers, fuel injector testers, durability test stands, transmission component testers, and complete turnkey testing systems. Sales are direct B2B with engineering consultation and custom specification process.
2. Service and Support: Ongoing service and support for installed equipment. Field service technicians provide repair, upgrades, and technical support. Parts supply for machine-specific and commodity parts. The company maintains high repeat customer business exceeding 85% year over year.
3. Contract Manufacturing (Build to Print): MCM takes customer designs and drawings to manufacture and final test products to delivery requirements. Also offers value engineering to optimize cost and process. Benefits include reduced overhead, local control, just-in-time production, and cost savings on materials.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Michigan Custom Machines designs, builds, integrates, and supports custom test machines for automotive and industrial component manufacturers. Its portfolio includes proprietary products such as the XSTREAM shot-to-shot flowmeter and XcitE Universal Fuel Injector Driver, plus custom turnkey test stands for cam phasing valves, water pumps, common rail pumps, and rotating control device seals. The company also provides product development services, durability testing, complete test systems, and contract manufacturing (Build to Print).

Product overview

Michigan Custom Machines is a custom test machine manufacturer offering a portfolio of specialized testing equipment for automotive and industrial component manufacturers. The core product line includes the XSTREAM shot-to-shot flowmeter series and XcitE Universal Fuel Injector Driver for fuel injection testing, Cam Phasing Valve Testers for engine components, Water Pump Test Stands, Common Rail Pump Testers, and Rotating Control Device Seal Durability Testers. Beyond individual products, MCM provides complete turnkey test systems, product development services, and contract manufacturing (Build to Print). The company specializes in hydraulics while also offering expertise in electronics, controls, fixture design, and system integration. Services are offered across industries including automotive, aerospace, medical, oil and gas, military, and industrial sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• XSTREAM Solution for Precision Testing A shot-to-shot flowmeter that provides reliable, actionable data for fuel-injection testing with precise measurements, backed by onsite training and support. Designed for automotive and industrial component manufacturers requiring accuracy beyond current industry standards.
• XcitE Universal Fuel Injector Driver Universal injector driver capable of firing any GDI or diesel injector with a custom waveform. Supports stand-alone operation or integration into new and existing test stands with PLC communication over Ethernet/IP.
• Water Pump Performance Test Stand Test stand for evaluating water pump performance characteristics under various operating conditions, for automotive and industrial cooling system manufacturers.
• Water Pump Durability Test Stand Test stand for assessing water pump durability and longevity under extended operating cycles, for automotive and industrial cooling system manufacturers.
• Cam Phasing Valve Tester Automated functional test machine for high-production hydraulic proportional valves used in variable valve timing. Features robot loading/unloading, approximately 30-second test cycle per head, measures hysteresis, max flow, leakage, and null position, and maintains pressure at 58 PSI within 0.5 PSI tolerance.
• Common Rail Pump Tester Custom test equipment for evaluating common rail fuel pump performance and functionality for diesel and GDI fuel system manufacturers.
• Rotating Control Device (RCD) Seal Durability Tester Durability testing system for rotating control device seals used in oil and gas drilling applications, validating performance under extreme conditions.
• Contract Manufacturing (Build to Print) Takes customer designs and drawings to manufacture and final test products to delivery requirements, including value engineering to optimize cost and process. Benefits include reduced overhead, local control, just-in-time production, and material cost savings.
• Product Development Services Engineering consultation for building precise lab equipment to provide benchmarks ensuring performance, durability, and effectiveness of products for automotive and industrial manufacturers.
• Complete Test Systems Full turnkey system design, build, integration and support for specialized testing equipment built to customer specifications, delivered as in-house single-source projects under one roof.
• Durability Testing Services Lab testing services simulating extreme temperatures, excessive pressures, high speeds, and disproportionate load and flow conditions to validate product longevity and quality.

Quantifiable outcome

• 85%+ repeat customer business year over year
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Automation Controls & Engineering (ACE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2022MCM was acquired by Automation Controls & Engineering in June 2022. The two Michigan-based companies joined forces to expand both their business and that of their clients. ACE brought expertise in automation controls, robotics, and engineering while MCM contributed testing solutions and component expertise. Together they offer combined value propositions with streamlined shared costs while maintaining existing customer relationships with no changes to contracts, billing, or operations.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Horiba: Automotive test systems division supplies engine and driveteline test stands, emissions measurement, and powertrain development tools. Overlaps with MCM's engine component and fuel system test machine offering.
• AVL List GmbH: Global powertrain and vehicle development specialist offering test systems, dynos, and validation services for engines, transmissions, e-motors, and batteries. Directly comparable to MCM as a powertrain test equipment and services provider to OEMs and Tier-1s.
• FEV Group: Independent engineering services and test systems provider for powertrains (ICE, hybrid, EV). Closely mirrors MCM's customer base and service mix — design, build, and validate powertrain components for global OEMs.
• MTS Systems (Amphenol Test Solutions): Designs and manufactures mechanical testing systems for durability, performance, and component validation across automotive, aerospace, and industrial markets. Comparable in delivering custom test machines for component durability and fatigue.
• Burke Porter Group: Specializes in end-of-line test, assembly, and quality systems for automotive driveline and powertrain components. Closely aligned with MCM's production-line integration and EOL testing capabilities.
• ATS Automation: Custom automation and test systems integrator serving automotive, medical, and industrial markets. Comparable in turnkey design-build of bespoke test and assembly equipment for Tier-1 customers.
• Stähle GmbH: Germany-based automotive test system specialist focused on engine, transmission, and e-drive test stands. Comparable niche: precision test equipment for automotive component manufacturers in similar customer set.

Emerging players

• Kistler Group: Manufacturer of precision sensors and measurement systems for engine, powertrain, and component testing. Overlaps with MCM at the measurement-instrument layer (flow, pressure, force) of fuel injection and engine testing.

Broad incumbents

• Dürr AG: Global industrial automation and environmental equipment supplier serving automotive, paint, and process industries. Competes with MCM in automotive factory automation and test, but at much broader portfolio scale.
• Comau: Stellantis-owned industrial automation and robotics company providing manufacturing and test solutions to automotive OEMs. Comparable in automotive test system integration, though typically at larger program scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Michigan Custom Machines