History

1985: Entrepreneurs Michael and Carlton Guthrie acquire the small metal stamping operations of Uptilt, Inc. and TruMark, Inc. in Lansing, Mich. 

1991: As the businesses grow from simple bracketry to complex stamped and welded chassis and bumper assemblies, the Guthries vertically and horizontally integrate their resources by acquiring TruMark Metal Products of Warren, Mich. 

1994: The Guthries acquire Trumark Steel and Processing Corporation in Erie, Mich. 

1998: The Guthries win a major purchase order from Ford Motor Company for rolling chassis assembly and establish TruMack Assembly in Detroit’s Renaissance Zone. They also form a partnership with Mackie Automotive Holdings US, a Toronto-based logistics provider.

1999: The TruMack Lynch Road facility becomes a best-value solution to existing Mexico assembly capacity for Ford Motor Company’s F-53 motor home chassis. Operations at the TruMack plant begin, saving millions of dollars in assembly and shipping costs for the customer.

1999-2000: TruMack commences production of a rolling chassis for the Ford Explorer-based U.S. Postal Service delivery truck.

2000-2001:  TruMack produces the electric-powered Think Neighbor, its first complete vehicle encompassing body, chassis and trim operations.

2001: Detroit Chassis is born, as Michael and Carlton Guthrie buy out Mackie’s interest in TruMack to become the company’s sole owners and rename it Detroit Chassis. 

2002: The Guthries form Spectra, which today is the parent company of Detroit Chassis LLC and Detroit Custom Chassis. 

2005: Detroit Custom Chassis is created to provide full-vehicle custom up-fits, such as suspension drive train conversion services, custom vehicle modification, shipping aids recycling program and AC hose installation.

2015: Detroit Chassis Avon Plant launches. Its associates assemble rear axles, tires and wheels for Ford Motor Company medium-duty trucks F650/750. This facility has state-of-the-art error proofing and 55,000 square feet of manufacturing space. It builds to broadcast and ships to Ford Motor Company’s OHAP.

Present: Today, Detroit Chassis has two state-of-the-art facilities capable of manufacturing complex assemblies and complete vehicles.

Detroit Chassis’ value to the automotive manufacturing industry is complex assembly with OEM standards for niche markets.