Compass Precision Purchases Trutron Corporation

Compass Precision Adds 10th Operating Company

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Compass Precision, LLC, a Charlotte-based manufacturer of custom, close-tolerance metal components for mission-critical applications, announced Tuesday it has acquired Trutron Corporation in Troy, Michigan.

Founded in 1967, Trutron is a leading manufacturer of extreme precision, complex geometry parts. The company services several industries, including primarily aerospace.

”Compass focuses on making difficult components most CNC shops avoid,” explained Bill Canning, President & COO. “Aerospace and defense is our largest market.”

“Trutron fits perfectly.”

Trutron started as an EDM shop, mostly servicing the automotive industry. About 25 years ago, Trutron began shifting towards the aerospace market.

Over the decades, Trutron expanded its equipment set to become a full-service shop. Today, the company has seven 5-axis capable machining centers.

Trutron President Lisa Kingsley sees the shop blending perfectly into Compass’ portfolio of operating companies.

“It was clear immediately in our meeting there were synergies between these companies. We do precision machining in a niche market,” said Lisa. “It turns out that that’s what Compass is all about.”

Lisa and Trutron Vice President Ron Dobreff met with numerous potential acquisition candidates. They both individually concluded Compass was the best possible buyer.

After a transition, Lisa plans to retire while Ron will continue at Trutron under the Compass umbrella.

Lisa said it was a difficult decision to sell. Grateful for her many rewarding years at Trutron, she is excited to spend more time with family and friends, travel, ride horses and pursue other interests. Although Ron was initially apprehensive about new ownership, he is looking forward to the advantages Compass will provide.

“I love the idea of having more resources,” said Ron. “I want this place to grow.

“Having more resources is going to make things better for everyone here and for the company.”

Compass Precision was formed with the purchase of Advanced Machining & Tooling, LLC, Quality Products & Machine, LLC and Tri-Tec Industries, LLC in October 2019. Compass made its first add-on acquisition with Gray Manufacturing Technologies, LLC in 2020.

All four of those operating companies are in the greater Charlotte, North Carolina area. Over the past four and a half years, Compass added five more machine shops across the United States before purchasing Trutron.

Together, Compass’ 10 operating companies serve a diversified group of blue-chip customers in the aerospace & defense, space, semiconductor, medical, industrial automation, power generation, telecommunications, oceanographic research, and specialty industrial markets.