Competition Engineering
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1976
- HeadquartersMarne, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Competition Engineering does
Competition Engineering Inc. is a privately held U.S. manufacturer specializing in sheet metal stamping tooling and prototyping, headquartered in Marne, Michigan and operating as a subsidiary of the Huizenga Group. Founded in 1976 (per its About Us page) and ISO 9001 certified, the company serves metal stamping manufacturers and product development firms with two core service lines: Production Tool Build, covering progressive, transfer, line, and assembly dies from estimating through homeline commissioning; and Prototypes, delivering 1 to over 1,000 pieces for testing, development, mock-ups, early builds, and production support. Supporting services include metal forming using hydroforms, conventional presses, press brakes, laser cutting, and milling for both simple and complex parts.
The company's technical stack centers on CAD/CAM/CAE-driven design and precision manufacturing. Estimates leverage Formingsuite for blank size calculations; die processes are validated using AutoForm forming simulation; all designs are produced in Catia 3D solid models and machined via MasterCam and Work NC. Production capacity is anchored by 8 tryout presses (150–1,000 ton range spanning Warco, Verson, Clearing, Danly, Minster, and Hydraulic Hanniein brands), 8 CNC machining centers (Makino, Awea, OKK, Doosan), 2 wire EDM, 2 CMM with Metrologic software, a five-axis Prima fiber laser programmed via Tebis, and two Triform sheet hydroforming presses. Quality verification uses a Sheffield Endeavor CMM and a Romer Arm scanner.
The business model is project-based and quote-driven, with no public pricing. Customers engage via phone ((616) 677-3343), fax, email, or a website contact form; estimates are turned around within 24 hours. The company markets through its own website (no social media presence disclosed) and operates a direct sales motion targeting both domestic and international stamping customers. Tooling is retained for at least two years to support rapid reorders. Competition Engineering operates alongside sister company Datum Industries under the Huizenga Group umbrella and is led by CEO Lloyd Gillespie.
Competition Engineering firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Competition Engineering
- Legal name
- Competition Engineering Inc.
- Website
- https://competitionengineering.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1976
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Competition Engineering industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Tool and Die Manufacturing Services
- NAICS
- Special Die and Tool, Die Set, Jig, and Fixture Manufacturing (333514), Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing (332322)
- SIC
- Metal Forgings & Stampings (3460), Sheet Metal Work (3444)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Metal Cutting Tools, Tooling & Workholding (Cutters, Inserts, Chucks, Fixtures) (IMAHADAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Metal Forming & Fabrication Machines (Presses, Bending, Shearing, Stamping) (IMAHADAC)
Keywords
Where Competition Engineering is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Marne
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Competition Engineering business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Production Tool Building: Design and manufacture of production tooling including progressive dies, transfer dies, line dies, and assembly dies. Full service from estimating through homeline commissioning.
- Sheet Metal Prototypes: Prototype manufacturing services providing 1 to over 1000 pieces for testing, development, mock-ups, early builds, and production support.
- Forming and Fabrication Services: Metal forming using hydroforms, conventional presses, press brakes, laser cutting and milling operations for both simple and complex parts.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Custom quote-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels2 records
Competition Engineering product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Competition Engineering designs and builds production-ready sheet metal stamping tooling, including progressive, transfer, line, and assembly dies, from estimating through homeline commissioning. The company also produces sheet metal prototypes and assemblies in quantities ranging from 1 to over 1,000 pieces for testing, development, mock-ups, and production support.
Product overview
Competition Engineering provides sheet metal stamping solutions through two main service offerings: Production Tool Build and Prototypes. Production Tool Build encompasses progressive, transfer, line, and assembly dies using Formingsuite for estimation and AutoForm for simulation, with designs created in Catia and machined using MasterCam and Work NC. Prototypes service delivers 1 to over 1000 pieces for testing and development, utilizing hydroforms, presses, laser cutting, and mills. Equipment capabilities include CNC machines (Makino, Awea, OKK, Doosan), presses (150-1000 ton range), CMM inspection systems, and Prima 5-axis fiber laser, all supported by ISO 9001 certification.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Production Tool Build
Quantifiable outcome
- 24-hour estimate turnaround for prototypes
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Competition Engineering
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Competition Engineering technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Competition Engineering partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Datum IndustriesminorSister company also under Huizenga Group, shown as part of the corporate family network on Competition Engineering's website.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Competition Engineering competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Protolabs: Digital rapid prototyping and on-demand manufacturing service provider offering automated quoting and quick-turn production. Emerging competitor specifically for Competition Engineering's prototype business line, providing a digital-first alternative to traditional tool shops.
- Xometry: Digital manufacturing marketplace offering on-demand custom parts, prototypes, and low-volume production across a network of shops. Emerging competitor in the prototype and small-batch space, providing customers an alternative digital channel to the same services Competition Engineering offers.
Broad incumbents
- Schuler Group: Global incumbent press manufacturer serving automotive, forging, and packaging industries. Relevant as the equipment side of the stamping ecosystem — customers of Schuler's presses are often the same manufacturers served by Competition Engineering's tooling services.
- Macrodyne: Manufacturer of hydraulic presses including deep draw, hydroforming, and stamping presses. Comparable because their hydroforming and stamping press equipment overlaps with the press capabilities Competition Engineering uses and supplies tooling for.
- MISUMI USA: Major supplier of configurable standard components including jigs, fixtures, die parts, and tooling components. Competes broadly in the tooling supply chain — customers can source standard tooling elements directly rather than commissioning full custom builds from shops like Competition Engineering.
Direct peers
- RCO Engineering: California-based tool and die shop specializing in metal stamping, prototyping, and precision fabrication. Direct competitor for stamping manufacturers and product developers needing custom tooling and prototype runs.
- Progressive Die Concepts: Michigan-based progressive die and stamping tooling provider serving automotive and industrial manufacturers. Highly comparable in equipment footprint, customer base, and tool build capabilities within the same regional market.
- Rex Precision: Midwest precision machining and tooling company serving automotive, industrial, and aerospace customers. Comparable in equipment capability, tooling service offering, and customer profile to Competition Engineering.
- Datum Industries: Sister company of Competition Engineering under the Huizenga Group, operating in adjacent metal stamping and tooling domains. Direct comparability in customer base, equipment profile, and corporate ownership structure.
Others
- Diehl Steel: Supplier of tool steel, die steel, and high-grade specialty alloys for tool and die shops. Indirect peer as a critical input supplier whose offerings directly affect Competition Engineering's material sourcing decisions and the tooling options available to their stamping customers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Competition Engineering social profiles
Digital presenceCompetition Engineering compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Competition Engineering financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Competition Engineering leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Competition Engineering funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Competition 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 Competition Engineering
What does Competition Engineering do?
Competition Engineering designs and builds production-ready sheet metal stamping tooling, including progressive, transfer, line, and assembly dies, from estimating through homeline commissioning. The company also produces sheet metal prototypes and assemblies in quantities ranging from 1 to over 1,000 pieces for testing, development, mock-ups, and production support.
Is Competition Engineering a public or private company?
Competition Engineering is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Competition Engineering founded?
Competition Engineering was founded in 1976. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Competition Engineering based?
Competition Engineering is headquartered in Marne, United States, in the North America region.
How does Competition Engineering make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Production Tool Building is the primary driver. The others are sheet Metal Prototypes and forming and Fabrication Services.
Who are Competition Engineering's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Protolabs and Xometry. Broad incumbents are Schuler Group, Macrodyne and MISUMI USA. Direct peers are RCO Engineering, Progressive Die Concepts, Rex Precision and Datum Industries. Diehl Steel is listed as an others.
Does Competition Engineering have an API?
No public API is recorded for Competition Engineering.
What industry is Competition Engineering in?
Competition Engineering's product category is Tool and Die Manufacturing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHADAB, Metal Cutting Tools, Tooling & Workholding (Cutters, Inserts, Chucks, Fixtures), with a secondary code of IMAHADAC, Metal Forming & Fabrication Machines (Presses, Bending, Shearing, Stamping). Its NAICS code is 333514 and its SIC code is 3460.