What PTM Corporation makes

PTM Corporation is a full-service metal stamping and tooling supplier in Ira Township, Michigan, that has been producing stampings since 1972. The company runs progressive, transfer, fourslide, and compound dies, and describes production stamping up to 144 inches in length, with tonnage from 60 to 600 tons for high-volume work and up to 2000 tons for low-volume runs under 5,000 pieces. It says it ships more than 1.5 million parts per week and has produced billions of stampings over five decades, from small clips and fasteners to Class A stampings, closures, and complex welded assemblies.

The work spans the full path from concept to production, which is the company's core pitch to buyers: in-house product design, tool design and build, prototyping, and production under one roof. Prototyping is unusually central to PTM. In a 2020 trade profile the company said roughly half of its revenue comes from prototyping, R&D, and early engineering support, run through two dedicated prototyping divisions rather than offered as a side service. Parts range from a paper clip up to car hoods, side panels, and mower deck lids. A large fabrication side runs alongside the presses: fiber and CO2 laser cutting of carbon, alloy, stainless, aluminum, copper, and brass, plus MIG, TIG, and resistance welding, riveting, staking, tapping, and component assembly as secondary operations.

PTM's best-documented product line is its patented paint-assist tooling, marketed as the Cricket Clip. These tools hold vehicle doors, deck lids, fuel doors, and trunk lids in position during the e-coat and paint process. The company developed them in 1994 and says it now supplies or develops paint tools for nearly 70% of North American car assembly operations across 12 different OEMs, producing roughly 10 million paint tools a year.

Ownership and history

Charlie Russell founded PTM in 1972. His daughter, Donna Russell-Kuhr, succeeded him as President and CEO in 2015, and the company is now run into its third generation as an independent, family-owned business. Four women hold shareholder and director roles, per the company's own history page: Donna Kuhr, Gina Russell, Nika Hess, and Dannielle Russell. Day-to-day the business is led by Donna Russell-Kuhr, with Steve Kuhr serving as Director of Business Development, Estimating, and Engineering, per a 2020 trade profile.

The company has grown its footprint over time. Trade coverage from 2009 described a firm operating around 300-ton capacity that acquired a used 600-ton press line to bid full programs and diversify into military and government work during the downturn. By 2020 it occupied more than 300,000 square feet and reported a $1.7 million plant expansion. Today the company states it operates more than 350,000 square feet of manufacturing space across seven plants. It publishes a ten-point "Code of Honor" that frames its stated values around customer performance, direct communication, and honoring commitments.

Certifications and quality

PTM says quality is managed through a formal quality management system and holds several current registrations. Per its Quality page, its Advanced Engineering Center is certified to AS9100:2016 and ISO 9001:2015, and the company maintains IATF 16949:2016 certification, the automotive sector quality standard. It also reports ISO 14001 environmental management certification, which it states it has held since September 3, 2003. The company self-posts copies of these certificates on its site. Advanced product quality planning and part-approval discipline are standard in this segment, and PTM's stated model of validating parts at the prototype stage before mass production is consistent with the PPAP requirements its automotive customers work under.

Known customers

PTM serves automotive OEMs and tier suppliers and describes itself as a Tier 1 and Tier 2 supplier. Individual customer names are not published, which is normal for a stamper serving OEM programs. The clearest documented relationships are at the program level, through its paint-assist tooling.

Named OEM customers are not disclosed by the company. The figures above are program facts the company publishes about its tooling reach, not a named-account list.

Frequently asked questions

What does PTM Corporation make?

PTM Corporation makes precision metal stampings and tooling. It runs progressive, transfer, fourslide, and compound dies with presses up to 2000 tons, plus tool and die design and build, prototyping, laser cutting, welding, and assembly. It also makes patented paint-assist tooling (Cricket Clips) used on automotive paint lines. The company says it ships more than 1.5 million parts per week.

Who owns PTM Corporation?

PTM Corporation is an independent, family-owned business founded by Charlie Russell in 1972. His daughter Donna Russell-Kuhr became President and CEO in 2015, and the company is now run into its third generation, with four women holding shareholder and director roles.

Where is PTM Corporation located?

PTM Corporation is headquartered at 6560 Bethuy Rd in Ira Township, Michigan 48023, in the Fair Haven area northeast of Detroit. It operates more than 350,000 square feet of manufacturing space across seven plants.

What certifications does PTM Corporation hold?

PTM Corporation holds IATF 16949:2016 for automotive quality, AS9100:2016 and ISO 9001:2015 through its Advanced Engineering Center, and ISO 14001 environmental management certification, which it says it has held since 2003. Certificate copies are posted on the company's site.

Who are PTM Corporation's customers?

PTM's specific OEM customers are not publicly named. The company describes itself as a Tier 1 and Tier 2 automotive supplier and says its patented Cricket Clip paint-assist tooling reaches about 70% of North American car assembly operations across 12 OEMs, producing roughly 10 million paint tools a year.

How many employees does PTM Corporation have?

PTM Corporation has roughly 290 employees, in the 100 to 499 band, based on a directory estimate and 2020 trade coverage that put the count at nearly 300. Headcount has grown modestly in recent years. The company does not publish an official figure.

Last verified September 28, 2026. Is this your company? Request a correction.