Backgrounder
When manufacturers in Michigan look for examples of agile, lean and high-performance operations, they invariably turn to Detroit Chassis LLC. With its modern, flexible plant in Detroit's Renaissance Zone, Detroit Chassis builds vehicles and vehicle systems that consistently meet the tightest of customer schedules, dramatically reduce costs, and far exceed industry standards for quality.
Founded by entrepreneurs Michael and Carlton Guthrie, Detroit Chassis is part of the SPECTRA group of companies, which includes Magnys LLC,an engineering and product design company, and TruPac Logistics, which specializes in preparing and sequencing components to make them ready for the assembly process.
Originally known as Trumack Assembly, Detroit Chassis operates as a tier one supplier from a new 218,000-square-foot plant situated on 33 acres on Lynch Road in Detroit, about two miles north of I-94 on the city's east side. It was founded in 1998 as a facility to offer a low-cost alternative for production of the Ford F-53 motor home chassis that was being assembled in Mexico. Operations began in 1999 with a lean, flexible United Auto Workers labor force and resulted in millions of dollars in savings on production and shipping for the F-53, a full rolling chassis incorporating many sophisticated subassemblies. The plant continues to produce the F-53 today, creating chassis used by 14 major motor home body builders throughout the United States.
The flexibility of the plant allows its workers to assemble two very different types of vehicles simultaneously. In 1999 and 2000, the plant produced chassis for the Ford Explorer U.S. Postal vehicle, and in the following year it built the entire Think Neighbor electric low-speed vehicle, all while continuing to assemble the motor home chassis on its main line.
The plant has the capacity to turn out 90,000 assembled units per year. Moreover, the facility manufactures a number of subassemblies that could be stand-alone businesses themselves. Within the plant, Detroit Chassis workers build complex front and rear axle systems, tire-and-wheel units, steering columns and other assemblies. An in-station quality control system is employed on the main line. At designated "quality gates," inspections are carried out on the line to ensure proper assembly before a unit passes through to the next stage of production. In this way, quality is assured during the assembly process itself, rather than being inspected after all work is completed.
The Guthries, who own SPECTRA and Detroit Chassis, are a true success story in the business arena. Over two decades, they have compiled an impressive record, owning several manufacturing and engineer businesses involved in the automotive, aerospace and consumer goods industries. They have each been active in numerous civic and social service organizations, as well.
Michael is a graduate of Harvard Law School and Carlton earned a Harvard MBA. After successful careers in business and law, the brothers joined forces in 1985 to acquire the stamping operations of Uptilt, Inc. and Trumark. Inc., in Lansing, Michigan. In 2001 the Guthries became sole owners of Detroit Chassis and the following year created SPECTRA.
Michael and Carlton Guthrie were honored with the 2003 Ernst & Young Entrepreneurs of The Year Award for Eastern Michigan and were named "Supplier of the Year" by the National Minority Business Development Council and "Michigan Manufacturer of the Year" by Impressions 5 Museum in Lansing, Michigan. “The Greater Lansing Business Monthly” named the Guthries "Entrepreneurs of the Year." Michael also has received the "Platinum Award" for Lifetime Service from Junior Achievement of Michigan.
The Guthries received the Supplier of the Year Award from the National Minority Supplier Development Council and the Michigan Manufacturer of the Year Award from the Impressions 5 Museum. Carlton also was honored with the Chivas Regal Extrapreneur of the Year Award.
Beyond their success in operating profitable businesses that exceed performance standards, the Guthries work to expand the knowledge and work ethic of their employees. Each worker receives more than 225 hours of training, more than four times the industry standard. Every employee is challenged to commit to the company's values.
Today, Detroit Chassis, in conjunction with its sister companies Magnys and TruPac Logistics, continues to develop the capacity and the capability to design and manufacture all types of goods. With product design and engineering, process engineering, computer simulation, total assembly capability, and specialized logistics for efficient production, SPECTRA and its Detroit Chassis affiliates are positioned to expand their services to industry across America and beyond.