PEMCO History | Cleveland Machine Shop Since 1942

A Cleveland Manufacturing Story

PEMCO was founded in 1942 by William Koteles. The name reflects Precision Engineering and Manufacturing Corporation and the practical precision work that shaped the company from the beginning.

The company began with practical precision work, a commitment to self-reliance, and a belief that smaller manufacturers could make a meaningful contribution. Early work included tooling, jigs, fixtures, special machinery, and contract manufacturing for demanding industrial and government customers.

As the business grew, PEMCO moved from its early Cleveland beginnings into larger facilities and continued expanding its engineering and machining capabilities. The same practical mindset still drives the shop today: understand the part, choose the right process, inspect the critical features, and deliver work customers can rely on.

1942

PEMCO begins as a small precision manufacturing company built around craftsmanship and practical problem solving.

Growth & Capability

The shop continues adding equipment, people, and process knowledge to support more demanding manufacturing work.

Today

Modern CNC machining, EDM, inspection, finishing, and small quantity support continue the family manufacturing tradition.

Family Leadership

Family Stewardship. Technical Discipline. Long-Term Commitment.

PEMCO remains family-led, with a long-term commitment to quality, customer trust, and practical support for reusable cardiothoracic instrumentation and precision manufacturing.

Founder

William Koteles

Founded PEMCO in 1942 after years of apprenticeship, self-education, and night school study. He guided the company from tooling and government work into surgical research and the development of life-support equipment for open-heart procedures.

Second Generation

William J. Koteles

Expanded PEMCO’s engineering and tooling capabilities while continuing the company’s role in reusable cardiothoracic instrument manufacturing and direct customer support.

Second Generation

Kathleen Koteles

Now enjoying retirement, Kathleen spent years managing PEMCO’s front office. She confidently ran the front office day in and day out, helping build the accounting foundations the business is built on now. She had daily interactions with customers, vendors, and employees, establishing relationships that still exist in the business today.

Leadership

Matt Koteles

Helped carry forward PEMCO’s emphasis on customer responsiveness, quality standards, American-made reliability, and practical manufacturing support.

Leadership

Chris Koteles

Represents the continued evolution of PEMCO’s family-guided direction and commitment to reliable manufacturing, quality, and customer-focused solutions.

Out With the Old. In With the New.

Modernizing the Shop Floor Without Losing the Craft

PEMCO’s history is a working story of machinery, people, space, investment, and steady improvement.

Equipment Transitions That Tell the PEMCO Story

These photos capture a practical moment in PEMCO’s evolution: older equipment being moved out and the shop being prepared for newer, more capable resources. The work of a machine shop changes over time, but the standards behind the work remain the same.

Continued investment helps PEMCO improve accuracy, efficiency, capacity, and workflow while honoring the craftsmanship that started the company.

Longstanding Cleveland machining tradition
Continued investment in shop capability
Practical equipment upgrades
Third-generation manufacturing commitment

Our History