Great Lakes Engineering
Great Lakes Engineering is a privately held, family-owned precision manufacturer in Maple Grove, Minnesota, producing photochemically machined and laser-cut thin-foil metal components, surface mount stencils, and squeegee blades for defense, medical, aerospace, and electronics customers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersMaple Grove, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Great Lakes Engineering does
Great Lakes Engineering is a privately held, family-owned precision manufacturer founded in 1986 (originally as Electro-Precision Inc. by John M. Carr, renamed in April 1999 when acquired by his three sons and Bruce Weaver) and headquartered at 8984 Zachary Lane North in Maple Grove, Minnesota. The company produces high-precision metal components and tooling for thin-foil applications across defense, medical, aerospace, electronics, telecommunications, energy, and decorative end markets, with 11–50 employees and ITAR registration plus ISO 9001:2015 certification enabling work on munitions-list and aerospace-qualified parts.
The company's core technology stack combines photochemical machining (PCM), precision laser cutting, electroforming, and photo plotting to deliver burr-free, stress-free, heat-distortion-free metal components with tolerances as tight as ±0.001 inches (PCM) and ±1 micron (laser). The capital equipment base includes Lumonics Screen Cut lasers, Tannlin T8-SPS and the latest T11 Tannlin 300W fiber laser (installed October 2024), and an IPG Photonics LaserCube flatbed fiber laser, supporting working thicknesses from 0.001" through 0.060". Surface mount stencils are offered in laser-cut, electroformed, step, and mini formats, complemented by squeegee blades (Wave Glide and Wave Profile lines manufactured under partnership with Lu-Con Technologies), photo plotting services at up to 40,000 dpi, and a decorative metalwork sub-brand at greatlakesdecorative.com.
Great Lakes Engineering generates revenue through a project-based, quote-driven professional services and product sales model — combining custom precision manufacturing services (PCM, laser cutting, electroforming, photo plotting) with hardware product sales (stencils, squeegee blades) and consumable distribution (LOCTITE GC 10 temperature-stable solder paste). Go-to-market is sales-led through direct phone contact, online quote requests, and a manufacturer's representative relationship (E-Tronix) covering six Midwestern states, supported by content marketing and an active digital presence. Customer industries include ITAR-sensitive defense work, life-critical medical devices, mission-critical aerospace parts, and high-volume electronics manufacturing — all requiring the multi-thickness, hard-to-produce part specifications that the company positions as a differentiator versus single-process competitors.
Great Lakes Engineering firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Great Lakes Engineering
- Legal name
- Great Lakes Engineering, Inc.
- Website
- https://greatlakeseng.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Great Lakes Engineering is a privately held, family-owned precision manufacturer in Maple Grove, Minnesota, producing photochemically machined and laser-cut thin-foil metal components, surface mount stencils, and squeegee blades for defense, medical, aerospace, and electronics customers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Great Lakes Engineering industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Precision Metal Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Metal Coating, Engraving (except Jewelry and Silverware), and Allied Services to Manufacturers (332812), Electroplating, Plating, Polishing, Anodizing, and Coloring (332813)
- SIC
- Sheet Metal Work (3444), Coating, Engraving & Allied Services (3470), Metalworkg Machinery & Equipment (3540)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sheet Metal Machinery (Laser/Plasma/Waterjet Cutting, Punching) (IMAHADAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- EDM & Electrochemical Machining (Wire/Sinker EDM, ECM) (IMAHADAF), Metrology, Inspection & Machine Tool Accessories (CMMs, Probing, Gauging) (IMAHADAK)
Keywords
Where Great Lakes Engineering is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Maple Grove
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Great Lakes Engineering business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Precision Manufacturing Services: Photochemical machining, precision laser cutting, electroforming, and metal etching services for thin foil metal parts. Manufacturing services are project-based, typically quote-driven for custom parts.
- Surface Mount Stencils: Manufacture and sale of laser cut stencils, electroform stencils, step stencils, and mini stencils. Revenue from product sales with various frame sizes and specifications.
- Squeegee Blade Products: Manufacturing and distribution of Wave Glide™ and Wave Profile squeegee blades developed by Lu-Con Technologies. Product sales with paste savings benefits cited.
- Photo Plotting Services: Photo plotter services with CAD editing and film punching. Standard turn times of 1-3 days with multiple resolution levels available.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
Great Lakes Engineering product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Great Lakes Engineering is a precision metal manufacturer and contract manufacturer specializing in surface mount stencils (laser cut, electroform, step, and mini variants), photochemical machining/etching of thin-foil metal parts, and precision laser cutting services for thin materials from .001" to .060" thick. The company also provides photo plotting services at up to 40,000 dpi, electroforming of thin nickel stencils, and manufactures/distributes SMT squeegee blades (Wave Glide and Wave Profile) developed by Lu-Con Technologies.
Product overview
Great Lakes Engineering is a precision metal parts manufacturer offering a suite of interconnected manufacturing services. Its core portfolio centers on four primary capabilities: Photo Chemical Machining (a non-contact, non-thermal etching process for burr-free intricate metal parts), Precision Laser Cutting (using Lumonics Screen Cut™, T11 Tannlin, Tannlin T8 SPS, and IPG LaserCube systems for thin-foil cutting from 0.001" to 0.060"), Surface Mount Stencils (available as laser-cut, electroformed, step, and mini variants), and Photo Plotting Services (raster-scan laser photo-tool production at resolutions up to 40,000 dpi). Supporting offerings include Squeegee Blades (the Wave Glide™ and Wave Profile™ lines sourced from Lu-Con Technologies, featuring paste containment technology), Electroforming Services for thin nickel stencils, Decorative Metalwork, and Engineering Services with in-house CAD. The company also distributes LOCTITE GC 10 temperature-stable solder paste. The portfolio is tied together by shared capabilities in thin-foil precision metalworking across industries including defense, medical, aerospace, electronics, telecommunications, energy, and decorative applications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Surface Mount Stencils High-precision surface mount stencils for solder paste application in electronics assembly, available in laser-cut, electroformed, step, and mini formats, with frames, post-process options, and aperture openings as small as .003 inches. Sold to PCB assembly operations and electronics manufacturers.
- Photo Chemical Machining (Photochemical Etching) Photochemical etching process using photoresist and UV light to produce intricate, burr-free metal components without mechanical stress or heat distortion, with tolerances as tight as ±0.001 inches. Sold as a contract manufacturing service to defense, medical, aerospace, electronics, telecommunications, and energy OEMs.
- Precision Laser Cutting Precision laser cutting of thin-foil metal parts using Lumonics Screen Cut, T11 Tannlin, and Tannlin T8 SPS systems for high-tolerance, burr-free components across stainless steel, copper, brass, titanium, Nitinol, nickel, Kovar, and specialty alloys. Sold as a contract manufacturing service to industrial B2B customers.
- Precision Laser Cutting for Small Parts Laser cutting of small parts using the LaserCube flatbed fiber laser system, capable of cutting materials up to 0.060" thick with automated process parameter control and a dual gas system for complex geometries. Sold as a contract manufacturing service.
- Photo Plotting Services Photo plotting services using raster-scan helium-neon laser devices to produce precision photo-tools for PCBs, IC packaging, chemical milling, and graphic arts, with resolutions from 4,000 dpi to 40,000 dpi. Standard turn times of 1-3 days. Sold as a service to electronics and industrial customers.
- Squeegee Blades (Wave Glide and Wave Profile) Manufacture and distribution of the Wave Glide and Wave Profile squeegee blades developed by Lu-Con Technologies, featuring slotted mounting for easy replacement and an Integrated Paste Containment Wing that eliminates paste tram-lines and seepage. Sold as products to screen-printing operations in electronics and medical device manufacturing.
- Electroforming Services Electroforming of thin nickel stencils and parts using a nickel-plating process that produces ultra-smooth aperture walls, with no burrs and no stress introduced into the material, enabling intricate and complex designs. Sold as a contract manufacturing service.
- Decorative Metalwork Jewelry and decorative metal applications for architectural and custom decorative uses, managed through a separate branded site at greatlakesdecorative.com. Sold to jewelry makers, designers, and architectural customers.
- Engineering Services Dedicated engineering team that takes customer concepts and brings them to life, including in-house CAD services, design-for-manufacturing assistance, and artwork development. Sold to industrial customers alongside manufacturing work.
Quantifiable outcome
- ±0.001 inches achievable tolerances with photochemical etching
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Great Lakes Engineering
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Great Lakes Engineering technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Great Lakes Engineering partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- E-TronixcoreE-Tronix is a Manufacturer's Representative Company hired to represent all Great Lakes Engineering products in the territory of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa. Specializes in electronics assembly, medical device manufacturing, semiconductor manufacturing, and R&D industries. President Erik Stromberg leads the partnership.
- Lu-Con TechnologiescoreLu-Con Technologies of Flemington, NJ developed the Wave Glide™ and Wave Profile squeegee blades. Great Lakes Engineering is an official manufacturer and distributor of these products, representing them as a trend-setting addition to their product line. The partnership combines Lu-Con's product development with Great Lakes' manufacturing capabilities and distribution network.
- HenkelminorGreat Lakes Engineering announced distribution partnership for Henkel's LOCTITE GC 10, the first ever temperature stable solder paste. Stable at 26.5°C for one year and up to 40°C for one month. Great Lakes serves as a distributor for this revolutionary solder paste product.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Great Lakes Engineering competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Mycronic: Mycronic is a global SMT assembly equipment and stencil solutions provider, serving the same electronics assembly customers as Great Lakes Engineering with a broader product portfolio including stencil manufacturing equipment.
- Protolabs: Protolabs is a large digital custom manufacturing platform offering CNC machining, injection molding, and sheet metal fabrication including laser cutting, providing broader-incumbent competition to Great Lakes Engineering's precision laser cutting services.
- ASM Pacific Technology: ASM Pacific Technology is a large global supplier of SMT assembly equipment and solutions, serving the same PCB assembly end customers as Great Lakes Engineering from a much broader equipment and materials portfolio perspective.
Direct peers
- Tech Etch: Tech Etch is a US-based precision photochemical etching and metal parts manufacturer serving medical, aerospace, electronics, and defense end markets with a similar PCM-plus-value-added-services model to Great Lakes Engineering.
- Fotofab: Fotofab is a US photochemical machining specialist producing thin metal parts and custom etched components, directly comparable to Great Lakes Engineering's core PCM service offering and customer verticals.
- Etched Metal Corporation: Etched Metal Corporation is a US photochemical etching manufacturer producing precision metal components for electronics, aerospace, and industrial applications, mirroring Great Lakes Engineering's primary manufacturing process and end markets.
- StenTech: StenTech is a North American SMT surface mount stencil manufacturer and supplier, directly comparable to Great Lakes Engineering's surface mount stencil product line for PCB assembly customers.
- PCM Products: PCM Products is a US precision photochemical machining manufacturer producing thin gauge metal components across electronics, medical, and industrial markets, with comparable process capabilities to Great Lakes Engineering.
- American Etching & Manufacturing: American Etching & Manufacturing is a US photochemical etching job shop producing custom precision metal parts, directly comparable to Great Lakes Engineering's PCM service line and target customers.
Regional players
- Precision Micro: Precision Micro is a UK-based photochemical etching specialist producing precision metal components for similar industries (medical, aerospace, electronics), making it a regional peer that competes with Great Lakes Engineering in capability rather than geography.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Great Lakes Engineering social profiles
Digital presenceGreat Lakes Engineering compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Great Lakes Engineering financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Great Lakes Engineering leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Great Lakes Engineering funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Great Lakes Engineering 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 Great Lakes Engineering
What does Great Lakes Engineering do?
Great Lakes Engineering is a precision metal manufacturer and contract manufacturer specializing in surface mount stencils (laser cut, electroform, step, and mini variants), photochemical machining/etching of thin-foil metal parts, and precision laser cutting services for thin materials from .001" to .060" thick. The company also provides photo plotting services at up to 40,000 dpi, electroforming of thin nickel stencils, and manufactures/distributes SMT squeegee blades (Wave Glide and Wave Profile) developed by Lu-Con Technologies.
Is Great Lakes Engineering a public or private company?
Great Lakes Engineering is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Great Lakes Engineering founded?
Great Lakes Engineering was founded in 1986. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Great Lakes Engineering based?
Great Lakes Engineering is headquartered in Maple Grove, United States, in the North America region.
How does Great Lakes Engineering make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Precision Manufacturing Services are the primary driver. The others are surface Mount Stencils, squeegee Blade Products and photo Plotting Services.
Who are Great Lakes Engineering's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Mycronic, Protolabs and ASM Pacific Technology. Direct peers are Tech Etch, Fotofab, Etched Metal Corporation, StenTech, PCM Products and American Etching & Manufacturing. Precision Micro is listed as a regional player.
Does Great Lakes Engineering have an API?
No public API is recorded for Great Lakes Engineering.
What industry is Great Lakes Engineering in?
Great Lakes Engineering's product category is Precision Metal Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHADAD, Sheet Metal Machinery (Laser/Plasma/Waterjet Cutting, Punching), with a secondary code of IMAHADAF, EDM & Electrochemical Machining (Wire/Sinker EDM, ECM). Its NAICS code is 332812 and its SIC code is 3444.