Looking Local

From the outside, Diversified Manufacturing & Assembly looks like any other facility in Sterling Heights’ industrial corridor. But inside, a team of skilled machinists, engineers and robotics experts efficiently produces the heavy-duty components that power some of the most prominent vehicles on the road, from Ford Mustangs to fire trucks.

DMA may not be a household name, but there’s a good chance their work is in the lane next to you.

Founded in 2013, DMA is a minority business enterprise that creates extremely precise metal parts used in automotive, agricultural and off-highway applications. The company is a quiet powerhouse behind the scenes, crafting core components that help vehicles move safely and reliably.

General Manager Inacio Moriguchi, who brings more than 40 years of manufacturing experience to the company, saw an opportunity early on.

“We saw a lot of need for this kind of supplier,” he said. “We provide Tier 1 and Tier 2 machining and some assembly in the driveline business.”

The operation officially began machine-producing parts in 2016, and today DMA’s production roster includes axle carriers, differential cases, ring-gear components, flanges and other driveline parts essential to the likes of Ford, GM and American Axle.

A key part of DMA’s competitiveness is its ability to handle both high- and low-volume programs. High-volume work, Inacio explained, means anything more than 250,000 units per year. Robotic machining systems allow DMA to keep pace with major automakers’ demands, while flexible processes support smaller batches.

But scale is only one piece of the story. DMA’s reputation is built on quality and safety, and their records reflect that. The company has maintained zero workplace injuries over the last two years and holds some of the industry’s highest certifications, including IATF 16949 and Ford’s prestigious Q1 status.

“We have 100 percent on-time delivery with all our customers,” Plant Manager Tracey Benenati said. “That’s a very big deal, and not a lot of suppliers can say that.”

Inside the company’s metrology lab — the space where parts are measured, inspected and verified — DMA uses advanced coordinate-measuring machines to ensure every component meets exact specifications. While many manufacturers inspect only as frequently as required, Tracey said DMA routinely exceeds those expectations.

“If my customer says to check two parts every four hours, we’ll check two parts every hour,” she said. “Because of the tolerances you’re holding for these parts, we make sure we’re constantly producing at the highest quality.”

For both Tracey and Inacio, DMA’s biggest point of pride isn’t its high-tech machinery or its millions of precision-made parts shipped yearly — it’s their people.

“We would not be who we are without our staff,” Tracey said, who has been with DMA for 15 years. “The quality of knowledge they have to produce these parts is huge. They take pride in their jobs.”

“Money can buy technology,” Inacio added, “but it cannot buy people. The quality here is because of our employees.”

Many team members have been with the company for more than a decade, creating a deep bond throughout the facility. Recognition is woven into the daily culture, from Diamond Awards for standout employees to simple gestures like shared lunches or celebrations.

“Our shop floor is very good at recognizing one another for going above and beyond,” Tracey said. “All of us wear many hats to make sure DMA runs like a fine-toothed comb. Nobody holds a title when it comes to respect or being willing to pick up a broom when needed.”

Looking ahead, DMA is expanding beyond automotive and agricultural markets. The company recently achieved CMMC Level 1 certification, allowing it to begin supplying the U.S. Department of Defense, a major step in its continued growth.

For Tracey, the message she hopes the community hears is simple: “DMA takes pride in what we do, our quality, our standards, our delivery and, most importantly, our people. We want others to see the value in partnering with us.”

Inacio added, “It’s about creating jobs and helping the company grow. If you have good quality and good cost, give the local company an opportunity.”

With a second facility available for expansion, a new defense certification and a strong reputation among major manufacturers, DMA is positioned for continued growth in Sterling Heights.

Diversified Manufacturing & Assembly is located at 5545 Bridgewood Drive, near 18 Mile and Mound roads.

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For years, a large vacated building — the former home of Comcast — sat along Van Dyke Avenue, its 92,000 square feet waiting for new life. At the same time, Keith Ledbetter, President and CEO of Associated Builders and Contractors Southeastern Michigan, knew the organization’s affiliate school, the Southeast Michigan Construction Academy, had outgrown its longtime home in Madison Heights.

Demand for hands-on training had skyrocketed, and the academy’s needs had surpassed its footprint. So when the dormant building hit the market, Keith thought it was too good to be true.

“The real estate agent sent me this listing four times. Three times I hit delete because I didn’t think we could afford it,” he said with a laugh. “It’s almost four times the size of our previous home. This is a perfect location, from the building itself to its central spot on the main thoroughfare.”

To understand his excitement, it helps to know the organization’s unlikely beginnings. ABC’s board created SEMCA more than 30 years ago after recognizing the need for advanced, hands-on training in the skilled trades.

“We have very meager roots,” Keith said. “When I joined SEMCA 10 years ago, our program had 186 students. We’re over 800 today.”

As Keith guides a tour of the new Sterling Heights facility — completed in just three months in order to open by fall 2025 — he beams while showcasing multiuse spaces for trade conferences, expansive classrooms and shop areas filled with steel-frame structures, threading machines and hydraulic benders.

“One thing you’ll notice is order, cleanliness and a high degree of professionalism,” he said. “We’re not operating out of a garage anymore, and that’s by design. We have high standards and want our students to have high expectations for us and for themselves.”

The construction industry’s demographics have shifted sharply since Keith arrived. A decade ago, most new students were in their mid-20s. Today, many enroll straight out of high school — a change he credits to evolving views on the necessity of a four-year degree.

“We’ve been saying for a long time that there are high-paying careers in the skilled trades,” Keith said. “Two-thirds of our students don’t have a job in construction when they walk through our door.”

With five locations across metro Detroit, SEMCA offers four-year programs in electrical and HVACR, a one-year carpentry program, a 16-week welding program, and an Introduction to Construction course for those still deciding their path.

“It’s career exposure while learning basic skills,” Keith said. “Ultimately, it teaches hard work, perseverance and accountability — valuable skills every trade needs.”

All SEMCA classes run at night so students can work during the day, accelerating their career paths. Many instructors still work full time in their trade and teach in the evenings.

“Finding the right instructors was one of our biggest challenges,” Keith said. “Finding someone who wants to come in after they’ve worked all day? That’s a challenge. We’re grateful to have so many amazing people.”

Keith said shifting societal attitudes, along with SEMCA’s supportive and professional environment, are helping change perceptions of skilled labor.

“Our mission is to get young people enthusiastic about construction, give them proper training and help connect them to the industry,” he said. “We’re glad to have people here who help us build America.”

Then, smiling wide, he added: “AI is not going to replace plumbers and electricians.”

For more information on exploring skilled trades careers, visit the Southeast Michigan Construction Academy at 36250 Van Dyke Ave., near 16 Mile Road.

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Tucked between industrial storefronts, there’s a place where the clink of wine glasses pairs with boisterous laughter — and where you’re only a stranger once. That’s Tennerra Winery, the passion project of longtime residents Nancy, 67, and Joe Mezza, 65, who turned a shared love of winemaking into one of the city’s hidden gems.

Joe started his first company in 2007 — Macomb Vintner Supply, a shop for home winemakers and brewers. By 2014, Nancy had her sights set on something bigger — their own winery.

“We had no idea what we were getting into,” Nancy said, laughing. “But we love it. It’s a lot of work to run a winery, so it had better be a passion project. If you don’t love it, you won’t stick with it.”

When Tennerra Winery opened in 2017, the Mezzas pushed through some quiet weekends until a new opportunity helped them connect with the community.

“We started off slow and got the word out, but people didn’t come,” Nancy said. “Then we went to the Dodge Park Farmers Market — we do gangbusters there.”

Since 2019, the Mezzas have operated their stand at the market each week, with Nancy’s warmth and wit drawing passersby into laughter-filled conversations and Joe’s authenticity keeping wine lovers intrigued by his creations.

Those long lines at the farmers market now translate to packed weekends inside Tennerra’s cozy tasting room. Rather than filling the space with flashy décor, Nancy and her team focus on the essentials — good wine, good food and good people.

“It’s a really comfortable, community feel in here,” Nancy said. “A lot of people say we’re like a ‘Cheers’ bar.”

“We’re personable with our customers,” Joe added. “We’re not going to just serve you and walk away. We make sure everybody has a good time.”

That loyalty has paid off — Tennerra was named WDIV’s Best Wine Bar in Metro Detroit for the second year in a row.

“Winning again shocked us,” Nancy said. “We’re one of the smallest wineries downstate. It shows the power of making friends with people all over the place.”

Of the 10 staff members at Tennerra, Julie Wurmlinger’s story encapsulates that community spirit — beginning with a simple wine sample at the farmers market.

“I felt an immediate kinship with Nancy, this welcoming spirit,” Julie said. “The first time I came to the tasting room alone, I felt completely comfortable chatting with the crew and other customers.”

“We’re a special place,” Nancy added. “I don’t know of another spot where I’d feel so comfortable by myself.”

While Tennerra’s sense of community keeps customers coming back, the wine draws them in. With a wide selection of dry and sweet wines — made from imported California grapes — the offerings speak for themselves.

“Our passion is the dry red, but that’s not the big seller,” Nancy said. “There are more sweet wine drinkers, and our Gewürztraminer is our No. 1 white.”

The Mezzas call themselves “winos, not sommeliers,” so their approach to recommendations is casual — a friendly chat to discover your palate, from classic Cabernet Sauvignon to playful, fruity flavors like watermelon.

“‘What’s the best wine?’ is a loaded question,” Joe said. “Everybody’s taste is different.”

“As we serve people, we get to understand their tastes,” Nancy added. “Then we can make recommendations.”

From finding the perfect pairing to pouring the perfect glass, the Mezzas’ hospitality extends to their kitchen, where every dish is made from scratch — from Joe’s “world-famous” pizza to Nancy’s Italian salads and nachos that earned a permanent place on the menu.

“We featured nachos for Cinco de Mayo, and now regulars call trying to order carryout,” Nancy said, laughing. “I tell them, ‘You know we’re not a restaurant, right?’”

For the Mezzas, Tennerra Winery remains a true labor of love. Their focus is simple: keep making good wine, good food and great connections.

“That’s our big draw — we have good wine. A lot of other wineries do, too,” Nancy said. “We just happen to dole ours out in a very special, personal way.”

Tennerra Winery is located at 44443 Phoenix Drive, near Merrill Road, and open Fridays and Saturdays from 5 to 9 p.m. Call 586-884-7868 for reservations.

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