Thank you for your interest in Oakley Industries. Founded in 1980, we have been supplying prototype and short run stampings to the automotive industry for over 40 years.
Our philosophy is best summed up in our quality policy: With the use of proper planning, continuous improvement and teamwork, Oakley Industries will provide: DEFECT-FREE SHIPMENTS, 100% ON-TIME DELIVERY AND SUPERIOR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. This will ensure our continued success.
While we have always embraced new technology, equally important are the skills and dedication of our team members, many of whom have been with us for over 20 years.
Early on, we started out as a small shop in the corner of a building. In 1981, we purchased a building in Clinton Township. Over time, we purchased three more buildings, built a new building and added on to four of the five buildings. This allowed us to add a kirksite foundry, a large NC machining area, a welding and assembly department, as well as additional room for presses, lasers and our sheet metal department. We have successfully supplied 15 OEM’s, including 4 electric vehicle companies, and dozens of Tier One and Tier Two suppliers.
One of the cornerstones of our success is the use of kirksite, a zinc alloy, for most of our stamping tooling. Kirksite is also known as soft tooling. The process for making kirksite tooling is much cheaper and quicker than traditional hard steel tooling, although the tool life is limited.
Kirksite tooling is ideal for prototype, as it is easy to make changes. It is simple to weld and the machining is quick. It is also useful for short run production. Although the tooling is “softer”, it can often last for several thousand hits, and when the tooling wears, we can simply drop and recut it.
Our philosophy is best summed up in our quality policy: With the use of proper planning, continuous improvement and teamwork, Oakley Industries will provide: DEFECT-FREE SHIPMENTS, 100% ON-TIME DELIVERY AND SUPERIOR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. This will ensure our continued success.
While we have always embraced new technology, equally important are the skills and dedication of our team members, many of whom have been with us for over 20 years.
Early on, we started out as a small shop in the corner of a building. In 1981, we purchased a building in Clinton Township. Over time, we purchased three more buildings, built a new building and added on to four of the five buildings. This allowed us to add a kirksite foundry, a large NC machining area, a welding and assembly department, as well as additional room for presses, lasers and our sheet metal department. We have successfully supplied 15 OEM’s, including 4 electric vehicle companies, and dozens of Tier One and Tier Two suppliers.
One of the cornerstones of our success is the use of kirksite, a zinc alloy, for most of our stamping tooling. Kirksite is also known as soft tooling. The process for making kirksite tooling is much cheaper and quicker than traditional hard steel tooling, although the tool life is limited.
Kirksite tooling is ideal for prototype, as it is easy to make changes. It is simple to weld and the machining is quick. It is also useful for short run production. Although the tooling is “softer”, it can often last for several thousand hits, and when the tooling wears, we can simply drop and recut it.
A Message From the President
Oakley Industries was founded over forty years ago by my parents, Ron and Brenda Oakley. We’ve been very fortunate as many competitors have come and gone during that time.
My father worked at the General Motors Technical Center in Warren beginning in 1956. Over time, he began to work at night in some of the area shops. Eventually in February 1980, he broke away and started Oakley Industries, opening in the corner of a shop in Fraser.
Later that year, he purchased a building in Clinton Township which is now our plant 2 location. Over the years we’ve purchased other buildings, built a building and several additions and now we have 5 plants on Automation Drive in Clinton Township.
During this time, we’ve never been afraid to embrace new technologies, such as laser cutting and NC milling. These seem routine now, but they were huge advancements when they were introduced. I’d like to think we’re carrying on that mindset as we expand our robotic and programming capabilities.
I’ve been around since 1982 and I have to say, it’s been quite a ride!
There are a lot of factors that contribute to our company’s success and longevity beyond machinery, equipment and technology. The most important is our team of employees. We’ve been blessed with a great team over the years, and although names and faces sometimes change, many have been with us 10, 15, 20, and over 25 years. This continuity and dedication is a key to our ability to grow, compete and face new challenges.
We also have a great roster of customers. While most are in the automotive industry, we’ve been able to attract customers from other industries as well. We work directly for a variety of vehicle manufacturers as well as many of their suppliers. We’ve encountered some great people over the years and have been able to learn a few things along the way. Naturally, we could not succeed without good, fair customers.
Finally, I’d like to recognize our suppliers and professional partners. Many of them have jumped through hoops when asked, and I feel we have developed some lasting relationships with them.
We are all excited for what the next 40 years will bring. Back in the early 1980’s there were no cell phones, emails, lasers, mills or robotic welders - and very little CAD. Today’s world was unimaginable. We’re ready for what’s next.
Michael Oakley
President
My father worked at the General Motors Technical Center in Warren beginning in 1956. Over time, he began to work at night in some of the area shops. Eventually in February 1980, he broke away and started Oakley Industries, opening in the corner of a shop in Fraser.
Later that year, he purchased a building in Clinton Township which is now our plant 2 location. Over the years we’ve purchased other buildings, built a building and several additions and now we have 5 plants on Automation Drive in Clinton Township.
During this time, we’ve never been afraid to embrace new technologies, such as laser cutting and NC milling. These seem routine now, but they were huge advancements when they were introduced. I’d like to think we’re carrying on that mindset as we expand our robotic and programming capabilities.
I’ve been around since 1982 and I have to say, it’s been quite a ride!
There are a lot of factors that contribute to our company’s success and longevity beyond machinery, equipment and technology. The most important is our team of employees. We’ve been blessed with a great team over the years, and although names and faces sometimes change, many have been with us 10, 15, 20, and over 25 years. This continuity and dedication is a key to our ability to grow, compete and face new challenges.
We also have a great roster of customers. While most are in the automotive industry, we’ve been able to attract customers from other industries as well. We work directly for a variety of vehicle manufacturers as well as many of their suppliers. We’ve encountered some great people over the years and have been able to learn a few things along the way. Naturally, we could not succeed without good, fair customers.
Finally, I’d like to recognize our suppliers and professional partners. Many of them have jumped through hoops when asked, and I feel we have developed some lasting relationships with them.
We are all excited for what the next 40 years will bring. Back in the early 1980’s there were no cell phones, emails, lasers, mills or robotic welders - and very little CAD. Today’s world was unimaginable. We’re ready for what’s next.
Michael Oakley
President