What First Tool Group does

First Tool Group is a privately-held, Dayton, Ohio-headquartered industrial manufacturing conglomerate founded in 1967 by Robert J. Davis, operating as a family of eight wholly-owned companies: First Tool Corporation (special machine build-to-print and CNC machining), Amco Products (licensed screw and Torx bit manufacturing), Dayton Machine Tool Company (machine rebuilding, engineering, automation, and robotics), Dayton Manufacturing Company (precision sheet metal, orbital and robotic welding across a 100,000 sq ft facility), Estee Mold & Die (plastic and rubber molds, gun drilling), Jackson Machine & Manufacturing (precision machining and fabrication), SIEB & MEYER USA (CNC controls, servo systems, variable frequency drives, and software), and First Tool East (a Berkeley County, West Virginia expansion site). The group delivers turn-key contract manufacturing of systems, sub-assemblies and kits rather than piece parts, achieving precision tolerances of +/- 0.0005 inches and machining capacity up to 60+ x 120+ inches across a 394,867 sq ft flagship facility.

The group's go-to-market is sales-led and relationship-driven, focused on strategic customer alliances with Fortune 500 OEMs across automotive (Honda, Toyota), consumer products (Procter & Gamble), industrial and automation (Siemens, Stober Gear Drives), and defense/aerospace (BAE Systems). Revenue is generated through project-based contract manufacturing, hardware sales of CNC controls and servo systems, machine rebuilding and engineering services, and licensed fastener drive tool manufacturing. Pricing is quote-based and project-specific with no publicly disclosed tiers. The group is WBENC-certified as a women's business enterprise and serves customers both nationally and internationally, though operating geographies are concentrated in Ohio, Missouri, and West Virginia with Tim Fenton leading the First Tool East site and Robert J. Davis serving as Founder and President.

Name

First Tool Group

Legal name

First Tool Group

Website

https://firsttoolcorp.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

First Tool Group is a privately-held Dayton, Ohio-based family of eight manufacturing companies founded in 1967 by Robert J. Davis, providing precision CNC machining, CNC controls, sheet metal fabrication, mold building, and machine rebuilding services to Fortune 500 OEMs across automotive, energy, aerospace, and consumer products industries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Contract Manufacturing Services

NAICS

Machine Tool Manufacturing (333517), Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing (33351), Turned Product and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing (33272), Cutting Tool and Machine Tool Accessory Manufacturing (333515)

SIC

Metalworkg Machinery & Equipment (3540), Machine Tools, Metal Cutting Types (3541), Screw Machine Products (3451)

akta.pro primary industry

CNC Machine Tools (Turning, Milling, Machining Centers) (IMAHADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Metal Cutting Tools, Tooling & Workholding (Cutters, Inserts, Chucks, Fixtures) (IMAHADAB), Metal Forming & Fabrication Machines (Presses, Bending, Shearing, Stamping) (IMAHADAC)

Keywords

• Precision machining services
• Contract manufacturing services
• CNC machining
• Sheet metal fabrication
• Machine tool rebuilding

Headquarters

HQ city

Dayton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Contract Manufacturing Services: Turn-key contract manufacturing of systems, sub-assemblies and kits, precision machining, fabrication, mold building, and machine rebuilding services
2. Licensed Screw & Torx Bit Manufacturing: Design and manufacture of screw machine products and fastener drive tools through AMCO Products
3. CNC Control Manufacturing & Integration: CNC controls manufacturing, integration, software development, and electrical retrofit services through SIEB & MEYER USA
4. Machine Rebuilding & Engineering: Machine tool rebuilding, engineering, and retrofit services through Dayton Machine Tool Company

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

First Tool Group is a privately-held family of eight manufacturing companies that provides turn-key contract manufacturing of systems, sub-assemblies, and kits. Core offerings include precision CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, injection molding and mold-making, CNC controls integration, machine tool rebuilding, and licensed production of screw and torx bits under the AMCO brand.

Product overview

First Tool Group is a six-member family of companies offering related metal-cutting, fabricating, control, and machine rebuilding services. The portfolio includes eight distinct divisions: First Tool Corporation (special machine manufacturing build-to-print), Amco Products (licensed screw & torx bit manufacturing), Dayton Machine Tool Company (machine tool rebuilding & engineering), Dayton Manufacturing Company (precision sheet metal, orbital & robotic welding), Estee Mold & Die (plastic & rubber molds, gun drilling), Jackson Machine & Manufacturing (precision machining & fabrication), Sieb & Meyer USA (CNC control manufacturing & integration), and First Tool East (precision machining expansion). The group provides turn-key contract manufacturing of systems, sub-assemblies and kits, serving automotive, transportation, energy, machine tooling, consumer products, and paper products industries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Turn-key Contract Manufacturing

Quantifiable outcome

• Precision tolerances of +/- 0.0005 inches achievable
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Fortune 500 Companies (unspecified)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic alliances with several Fortune 500 companies to augment manufacturing capability. These partnerships involve Build-to-Print Assemblies systems accomplished on time, within budget with superior quality workmanship.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• NN Inc. NN Inc. is a precision components manufacturer serving automotive, aerospace, and industrial markets with engineered bearing products and precision machined components. Comparable to First Tool Group's high-tolerance machining capabilities and industrial customer base.
• Shiloh Industries: Shiloh Industries manufactures precision engineered metal products and components, primarily serving automotive OEMs with noise, vibration, and harshness solutions. Comparable to First Tool Group in automotive customer concentration and precision metal manufacturing capabilities.
• Phillips Industries: Phillips Industries manufactures precision-engineered solutions for commercial vehicle and industrial markets, with capabilities in metal fabrication and electrical components. Comparable to First Tool Group in precision manufacturing serving transportation and industrial OEMs.
• Cadrex Manufacturing Solutions: Cadrex is a precision contract manufacturer providing CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, and assembly services across multiple facilities. Directly comparable to First Tool Group's multi-subsidiary precision manufacturing platform serving aerospace, medical, industrial, and defense end-markets.
• Hy-Pro Filtration: Hy-Pro Filtration manufactures precision filtration components using CNC machining and metalworking capabilities. Comparable to First Tool Group in precision machined components manufacturing with industrial customer base.
• Mayville Engineering Company: Mayville Engineering Company (MEC) is a diversified contract manufacturer serving automotive, heavy truck, construction, and industrial markets with capabilities in metal fabrication, machining, and assembly. Highly comparable to First Tool Group in its Midwest operating base, vertical integration, and multi-end-market contract manufacturing model.
• Autocam Medical / Autocam: Autocam is a precision machined components manufacturer serving automotive, medical, and industrial markets with tight-tolerance CNC machining. Directly comparable to First Tool Corporation's precision machining capabilities and Fortune 500 customer base.
• Huron Industries: Huron Industries provides precision CNC machining and contract manufacturing services across multiple facilities in the Midwest. Comparable to First Tool Group's regional contract manufacturing model and broad customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Haas Automation: Haas Automation is one of the largest CNC machine tool builders in North America, manufacturing vertical machining centers, lathes, and rotary products. Comparable to First Tool Group's CNC machine tool technology stack and Dayton Machine Tool Company's rebuilding/engineering capabilities.
• GF Machining Solutions: GF Machining Solutions is a global manufacturer of CNC machine tools, EDM systems, and laser texturing equipment. Comparable to First Tool Group's SIEB & MEYER USA CNC controls division and the group's overall machine tool technology portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/first-tool-corporation

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries8 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 First Tool Group