Member Highlight

MEMBER HIGHLIGHT..SCHWARTZ MACHINE COMPANY 70 Years Young: Schwartz Machine Company Keeping it “All in the Family”!

In 1951, 44 year old Edward Schwartz founded Schwartz Machine Company (SMC). He purchased a 5,800 square foot building in Warren, MI, and began his precision machine shop services for the automotive industry. He purchased machines and provided jig boring and surface grinding, lathe work, spindle drilling, and was planning to support short run production work — all focused on providing precision machining for prototype products.

In 1953, Edward expanded SMC to manage the increase in demand. Twenty years later called for another expansion, SMC doubled in size. That year Edward decided to keep SMC “all in the family” and brought his son Robert in to manage the company.

Over the next few years, SMC purchased additional machinery and Robert bought ½ of the company. Around 1978, Robert saw an opportunity “to go West young man,” and began machining in San Diego to support aerospace and government laboratories. Robert completed his buyout of SMC in 1996.

Recognition, growth and opportunities continued in 1998, when Schwartz was awarded the GM Motorsports Winners Circle Award by supporting the Aurora V8 blocks — Indy and Heads for the SB2 NASCAR engines. Racing became an integral part of the Schwartz mantra as a result of the perfectionism in precision machining for race engines. In 2001, Schwartz supported both LeMANS and Daytona 24-hour races with General Motors.

As Robert grew the operation, he welcomed his two daughters to the family business; they became majority stockholders of the company in 2003.

SMC continued its love for racing, collaborating with GM, earning them the Driver’s & Manufacturer’s Cup in the Nextel Cup Series in 2006. SMC also supported the R07 NASCAR block and head machining operations to support GM in its racing division.

In 2020, Robert reitred. He was aware of the need for diversity and inclusion in business and his thoughts were “spot on,” as very few machining businesses are run or led by women — let alone owned. Thus, his oldest daughter, Ms. Cheryl Schwartz-Zeglin took over the business and was named CEO of SMC.

Cheryl has been instrumental in championing the WBENC Certification — validating that a business is at least 51% owned, controlled, operated, and managed by a woman or women. Full certification

is expected this summer. Being WBENC Certified will enable SMC to access a vast number of supplier diversity and procurement executives in major U.S. Corporations that accept and seek out WBENC Certification for a diverse supply base.

Cheryl also enhanced the SMC team by promoting Mr. Doug Rose, to VP of Operations — a 45-year veteran of SMC, that relies on his team to ensure that every piece is perfect before it reaches the customer; Mr. Frank Balsamo, Manufacturing Manager and Ms. Kim Ziomek, Director - Business Development, who brings a wealth of knowledge and industry contacts, to her trusted advisors.

As mobility is driving drastic changes in the industry and a younger generation is poised to enter into the new landscape, SMC remains confident, positioned and prepared to re-broadcast its reputation as a quality, on-time and well-founded precision prototype service company. The past 70 years built a strong, steadfast foundation and in that capacity, Cheryl knows that “times are changing”, however, the fundamental services of SMC can be applied to future machined prototyping opportunities. The new means of mobility — Electric & Autonomous Vehicles (EV/AV), as well as electric motors being added to racing, marine and off-highway agriculture — present a new era of product for SMC to machine. SMC remains true to its customers and its core expertise in machining engine blocks, cylinder heads, and other prototype product.

SMC is still operating in the original building with a few modernizations! SMC looks forward to the next 70+ years of iconic changes, fascinating technologies and ensuring that the planet can sustain the next generation of “family businesses.” SMC is being run by family traditions that hold true to the legacy of Cheryl’s Grandfather – Edward; and her Father – Robert; and now, Cheryl.

Your Destination for Excellence in Machining Prototypes for the Mobility Industry!