The roots of CNC machining run deep in Traverse City — and Northland Precision is carrying that legacy forward.
It all started with John Parsons, a Traverse City engineer who, in the 1940s, invented numerical control (NC), the precursor to today’s Computer Numerical Control (CNC). “He was the father of CNC machining,” says Bill Dittrich, owner of Northland Precision, who learned the trade at Traverse City’s Career-Tech Center — fittingly located on Parsons Road.
Today, Dittrich and his team continue that local tradition of innovation and precision. Their largest and most loyal customer, Thompson Surgical, has been a Traverse City fixture for 55 years and represents about 72% of Northland Precision’s work. The company manufactures intricate surgical retraction instruments used worldwide — including one with a Northland Precision-made top joint, just two inches long, with at least 20 distinct features that each require its own process.
To meet Thompson Surgical’s growing demand, Northland Precision recently moved into a larger facility — its third location — adding more space, more machines, and more employees. When the expansion strained cash flow, Dart Bank’s Vice President of Lending, Dan Goethals, connected Bill with Northern Initiatives, which provided financing for raw materials and inventory. “The Northern Initiatives experience was great,” Bill said. “They were a really big help.”
The funding came full circle, with Northern Initiatives using capital from the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation to keep local manufacturing strong.
Northland Precision now employs 10 people — half of them family — and Bill invests in every one of them. Employees receive comprehensive health benefits, and the company reimburses continuing education, including courses at the same Career-Tech Center where Bill got his start. “I want everyone to learn everything,” he says — ensuring that Traverse City’s proud CNC legacy remains in expert hands.
