community
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE December 9-15, 2009 Page C-2
Quality Award-winning minority
manufacturer celebrates 10th year
Located on Lynch Road in Detroit and em- to manufacture chassis in 1998-1999. ration. Michael and Carlton Guthrie are committed
ploying Detroit residents, Detroit Chassis to the community. Detroit Chassis collectively
weathers the current economic challenges and
Detroit Chassis targets niche and hybrid ve- Today, Detroit Chassis has assembled in
participates in more than 20 community ini-
strategically targets cutting-edge technology
hicle markets because of their added complex- access of 100,000 Class A motor home chassis
tiatives, including board presence at the gov-
and “green” projects. This Detroit-based na-
ity which enables the manufacturer to maxi- and shipped to 13 recreational vehicle manu-
ernance level with the Children’s Aid Society,
tional manufacturer services North American
mize engineering and process strengths. facturers across North America, including
the National Association of Black Automotive
companies, including Canada. A 2001 Ford Motor Company audit showed
Canada.
Suppliers Trade Association and Scholarship
“We’ve employed and trained as many as
that Detroit Chassis saved the automaker $19 The 2009 Quality Leadership 100 ranked De- Board, Concerned Christian Men, The Joyce
400 Detroit, Highland Park and Hamtramck
million in the engineering and building of the troit Chassis No. 39 nationally. More than 800 Foundation, United Way, Junior Achievement
residents. We’ve been nationally recognized for
Think vehicle — a hybrid electric environmen- manufacturers were reviewed from small pri- of Southeast Michigan, Davis Aerospace, Tech-
having the best worker attendance record for
tally green model. vate companies to large multi-location manu- nical High School, and the Tuskegee Airmen.
manufacturers our size in the country,” said “We did the engineering, design, built the
facturers.
Detroit Chassis started an innovative pro-
Michael Guthrie, co-chairman, president and assembly line and had the product rolling in This Michigan Minority Business, ISO 9001, gram in 2004 called Business Application in
CEO. only four months,” said Michael Guthrie. and QS9000 certified business strategic plan Manufacturing Management (BAMM). This 12-
Brothers Michael and Carlton Guthrie start- Added Carlton Guthrie, “We did it by launch-
calls for business expansion in Detroit. week mentoring program gives high school se-
ed manufacturing chassis in 1999 after years ing the beginning, intermediate and final stages A majority of Detroit Chassis employee as-
niors a chance to participate in learning mod-
in the automotive business and owning a metal of the process all at once rather than one at sociates hired in 1999 remain with the com-
ules that expose students to what it takes to run
stamping business in Lansing since 1985. a time. The design and manufacturing units pany.
an entrepreneurial enterprise. The students
job shadow the company executives and work
A successful contract with Ford Motor Com-
began at the same starting line, collaborating
for a period of time in each area of business.
pany in 1999 established the company as a
rather than waiting to be handed work after
“I don’t know where I would be without De-
Students complete a project during the intern-
leading chassis manufacturing company for
their colleagues finished. We worked on paral-
troit Chassis,” said employee associate Avis
parent. “This job gave
ship and receive regular performance feedback.
niche vehicles and RVs.
lel paths rather than pass a baton as in a relay
Wallace, who is a single
race. The result was a shorter race and fewer
me a reason to clean up my act and get my life
Parents are invited to attend the student’s proj-
“We are the only company that builds chas- dollars spent.”
together.”
ect presentation. Outstanding students qualify
sis for Ford outside of their own Ford facility. Detroit Chassis has provided a full-time
to compete for college scholarships.
We’re a niche assembler for rolling chassis.
There are only a few contract assemblers of
social worker and currently refers employee
The Guthrie brothers received undergradu-
We are optimized to build 5,000 to 25,000 unit
completed vehicles, such as the Think Neigh-
associates in need to the Children’s Aid Soci-
ate and graduate degrees from Harvard Univer-
runs annually. We have the capability to do a
bor electric car, worldwide. Detroit Chassis is
ety of Southeastern Michigan. In addition, the
sity.
total of 90,000 units annually,” Michael Guth-
the only minority owned firm capable of man-
company provides chaplain services to help
rie said.
ufacturing “green” vehicles.
employees address personal and interpersonal
These African-American business owners
The Guthrie brothers were awarded the Ford
The 218,000 square foot Detroit Chassis fa- issues and needs. Every Wednesday, employ-
have been recognized by On Wheels magazine
Class A motor home assembly business then
cility is located on 33 acres which has housed ee/associates can elect to attend a sponsored
and the National Minority Business Develop-
located in Mexico and brought the business to
automotive related manufacturers for over lunch in the plant family room for Bible study
ment Council as Supplier of the Year. Ernst
Detroit to a brand new facility built specifically
100 years beginning in 1903 when the Dodge and prayer.
& Young named the brothers Entrepreneurs of
brothers sold the property to the Dodge Corpo-
the Year for Southeast Michigan.
the MissioN: Excellence by adding value; embracing change by learning and growth; re-
detroit chassis owners Michael Guthrie, co-chairman, president and CEO, and his broth-
spect through diversity and community; win/win outcomes through teamwork; and integrity and
er, Carlton Guthrie.
spirituality.
the 2009 Quality leadership 100 ranked Detroit Chassis No. 39 nationally. More than
the MichigaN MiNority BusiNess, ISO 900l and QS9000 certified business strategic
800 manufacturers were reviewed from small private companies to large multi-location manu-
plan calls for business expansion in Detroit.
facturers.
NatioNally recogNized for having the best worker attendance record of 98-99 percent
for manufacturers their size in the country, Detroit Chassis has provided a full-time social worker
and referral to Children’s Aid Society of Southeastern Michigan as well as a chaplain to help
coMMuNity driVeN, Detroit Chassis participates in more than 20 community initiatives.
employees address personal and interpersonal issues and needs.
detroit chassis services North American companies including Canada. The African Ameri-
detroit chassis owners Michael Guthrie, co-chairman, president and CEO and Carlton ca-owned manufacturing company has trained and employed as many as 400 Detroit, Highland
Guthrie, co-chairman received undergraduate and graduate degrees from Harvard University. Park and Hamtramck residents.
the VisioN: “Committed People Delivering World Champion Performance to Achieve Cus-
tomer Joy On Time. All The Time. Every Time.”
eMployees at Detroit Chassis work diligently to assure quality products.
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