Brighton NC provides machining, assembly and grinding to highway truck and mining customers.

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Based in Brighton, Mich., Brighton NC Machine provides machining, assembly and OD, ID and surface grinding services. President and CEO Jack Clausnitzer, CFO Shirley Barton and a third partner incorporated Brighton NC in 1965 with an American 3220 NC lathe as its only tool.     

At the time, Brighton NC was the only private Michigan company with an NC lathe. NC (numerically controlled) machines were the forerunners to CNC (computer numerically controlled) machines. “As the manufacturing world evolves,” Sales Manager Tim Clausnitzer says, “we continue our leadership role by offering instantaneous manufacturing services, utilizing math data from our customers to become an integral part of our customer’s design for manufacturing team.”   

The business continues today with the Bartons and Clausnitzers as equal partners, running a large facility with more than 50 CNC machine tools.   

After 44 years in business, Brighton NC Machine has stayed strong by having the agility and willingness to take on tough jobs. “We are capable of launching production jobs often three to five times faster than our competitors,” Tim Clausnitzer says. “This in large part is due to our highly skilled work force.”     

Many of Brighton NC’s approximately 85 employees have been with the company for more than 20
years, some for more than 30. Patrick Barton, Brighton’s purchasing manager says, “We have grown up in this business, and therefore, manufacturing is in our blood. We design and build our own fixtures utilizing solid modeling with software from UniGraphics and MasterCAM. Whenever possible, we use the full machining envelope in our machining centers. We have in-depth knowledge of the best tooling and cutting tool materials.     

“We take every advantage available in the industry to enhance productivity,” he notes. “This has allowed us to stay ahead of the competition, even ahead of offshore.”   

Plant Engineer Tom Clausnitzer says, “Today, the company has approximately 222,000 square feet under roof in three large, adjacent buildings. We sit on 40 acres of prime industrial property with tremendous room for expansion. Our company serves clients worldwide. Our biggest business segment is highway truck. We have major work in heavy mining equipment and other off-highway engines as well.”    

When Brighton NC’s work takes it into fields it is not familiar with, the company hires professionals in these areas as consultants. “We become fully entrenched in that business,” Tim Clausnitzer says. “We learn the engineering inside and out. By the time we quote, based on our knowledge of the business, we become a preferred supplier.”     

A factor that has kept workers loyal, Tom Clausnitzer says, is the company’s location in Brighton. “It’s a beautiful area in which to live,” he says. “Our employees like the opportunity to work locally, rather than driving to Detroit each day.”    

Shirley Barton adds that the company has a profit-sharing program that allows Brighton NC to share generously with its workers. “With this program, we have a work force that is financially secure and fully dedicated to the success of the company.”  

Patrick Barton says the company is also distinguished by the autonomy it gives its workers.   

Within some competitors’ operations, “The machine operators aren’t allowed to function on their own,” he says. “We really don’t need button pushers. We want our machinists to understand inspection equipment. We want them to have an in-depth grasp of machining processes and the development of the component parts that we sell to our customers. In essence, we need and have machinists who are masters of the machines and processes they run.    

“We encourage our workers to take work related classes,” he continues. “Since our needs are diverse, this covers everything from languages to engineering. Brighton NC pays all tuition for such training.”

Holding Its Own
Brighton NC has adjusted to the current economy, Jack Clausnitzer says. Despite the fact that things are slow, the company is doing reasonably well, he asserts. “We’re holding our own,” he says.  

To diversify, Brighton NC is working on opportunities to serve new clients in wind and solar energy fields. “We’re pleased with these new prospects,” Tim Clausnitzer says.    

“As a manufacturing facility, we’re ready to look at nearly anything. A couple of years ago, we had only dabbled in flywheels. We now produce them in highway truck volumes exceeding 100,000 units per year.”   

“At Brighton NC, the management team is unanimous in its vision for the future,” Shirley Barton explains. “We are in this for the long-term. As the market changes, so will Brighton NC. We have third-generation family members involved in the business now and are confident that members of the next generation will be in­volved soon to help carry the company into the future.”