News Flash

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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At the regularly scheduled City Council meeting on Dec. 2, a new ordinance will be introduced amending Chapter 29 of the City’s Code of Ordinances to add new licensing and operational regulations for virtual currency machines, including cryptocurrency kiosks and Bitcoin ATMs.

The holiday season is a time when scam activity historically increases, so the City’s action comes at an especially important moment for safeguarding residents, particularly seniors, from fraudulent schemes.

Virtual currency kiosks and cryptocurrency ATMs offer an easy and often anonymous way to convert cash into digital assets. While convenient, these machines have become a fast-growing target for scam artists posing as government officials, tech support, or distressed family members. These scams typically begin with an unsolicited message or call designed to create panic, pressuring victims into withdrawing cash and depositing it into a cryptocurrency ATM. Once converted, the funds are often irretrievable.

Sterling Heights has seen this threat firsthand. Of the approximately 27 cryptocurrency machines operating within city limits, the Sterling Heights Police Department has investigated, or is currently investigating, 23 fraud cases tied directly to these devices. Losses total more than $542,000, with seniors representing most victims. In response, the Police Department recently formed a dedicated “Crypto Task Force” to combat this growing issue.

"Scam artists become especially predatory during the holidays, when people are distracted, emotional, and more vulnerable to urgent-sounding requests," said Sterling Heights Police Chief Andrew Satterfield. "This ordinance is a timely and necessary step to ensure our residents are better protected during one of the most high-risk periods of the year."

Developed collaboratively by City Administration, the Sterling Heights Police Department, and the City Attorney’s Office, the ordinance creates a balanced framework that preserves access to innovative financial technology while enhancing consumer protection and public safety.

Key provisions include:

Licensing Requirements

• Businesses hosting a virtual currency machine must obtain a City business license and a specialty license endorsement.
• Machine owners/operators must also obtain a license from the City Clerk.
• Existing businesses and operators must comply by March 31, 2026.

Fees and Renewals

• Annual license fees and late penalties will be set through the City’s annual appropriations ordinance.

Operational Regulations

• Machines must require photo ID for transactions, display fraud warnings and disclosures, produce receipts and maintain a customer service hotline.
• First-time customers will face transaction limits to reduce risk.

Inspections and Enforcement

• The City may inspect machines prior to and after licensing to ensure compliance.
• Violations may result in license suspension, revocation or denial, and each violation constitutes a municipal civil infraction.

Privacy and Recordkeeping

• Operators must maintain daily transaction logs and service records for at least 90 days.
• The City Clerk will protect personal identifying information from disclosure except as required by law.

With holiday shopping, travel and charitable giving in full swing, the City urges residents to remain vigilant against unsolicited calls, texts or emails demanding urgent payment, especially those requesting deposits via cryptocurrency kiosks.

“This ordinance gives us the tools to better regulate this industry and deter predatory activity,” said Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor. “Our goal is to ensure residents can enjoy the holidays with greater peace of mind and stronger consumer protections in place.”