A to Z Machine History
What started as a small operation has grown to become the leading CNC machine shop we are today. From facility expansions to becoming employee-owned, one thing hasn’t changed—our dedication to precision parts and quality from start to finish.
Key Milestones in Our History
Founded in 1996
In 1996, four skilled machinists decided to take a leap of faith. They wanted to do things better than their current employer, so they started their own shop in Appleton, Wisconsin. With just four machines and a commitment to quality, A to Z Machine was born.
At first, their goal was simple—grow the business and build a team of seven or eight employees. By the end of their first year, they were already making an impact, bringing in nearly $500,000 in sales.
Facility Expansions
In August 2001, A to Z Machine moved into a larger facility at 2701 E. Winslow Ave. in Appleton, which is still home to our main shop today. Prior to taking occupancy, A to Z completed their first expansion of the new shop. As demand grew, so did our space. We expanded our main shop in 2004 and again in 2011 to keep up with our customers’ needs.
In August of 2014, A to Z purchased the building around the corner from the main shop at 3035 N. Roemer Rd., which became our welding and fabrication facility.
With business still growing and limited space, in the summer of 2016, A to Z acquired another facility at 2900 N. Roemer Rd., which is now home to our production facility. The proximity of this building is located right in the middle of the main shop and the welding and fabrication facility. The first 30,000-square-foot expansion of the production shop was completed in November 2023. A to Z plans to add another 25,000 square feet to that building in the future.
Today, we operate out of three facilities with 130 employees across our job shop, production facility, and welding/fabrication shop.
Employee Ownership
In 2019, the founders of A to Z Machine made a big decision and sold 100% of the company to the employees. Today, we are proud to be an employee-owned company, where every team member takes ownership and pride in our success.
As part of our employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), each employee earns company shares, building a retirement nest egg while contributing to our growth. Every year, our team comes together to review the value of our ESOP, reinforcing that when the company thrives, we all benefit.
Looking Forward
To keep A to Z Machine strong for the future, the original owners put leadership in place to guide the company forward. Our executive leadership team (ELT) works closely with the board of directors, setting goals and strategies to ensure continued success for years to come. While the ELT’s job is to guide the company, it is the employees of the company that are the reason A to Z has been successful all of these years.
As our story continues, we work closely as a team to achieve our True North—our shared vision for the future. Every team member plays a role in customer service and creating a respectful environment to build upon our founders’ dreams.
Let Our Decades of Experience Work for You
Our Northeast Wisconsin team is ready to provide you with quality machining and fabrication from start to finish.