Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Industrial Automation & Motion Control Solutions
Donald Engineering has been a trusted leader in industrial automation, fluid power, and motion control solutions for over 60 years. Founded in 1963 by Donald and Barb Gauthier, our family-owned business combines decades of technical expertise with a commitment to personalized service. We specialize in delivering innovative, application-specific solutions that bridge the gap between design and implementation, serving industries ranging from automotive to marine. Our team of engineers and technical sales professionals leverages over 200 years of combined industry experience to develop systems that reduce downtime, enhance safety, and lower total cost of ownership. With two Michigan locations and partnerships with premier manufacturers, we provide access to thousands of high-quality components while maintaining a focus on U.S. and European-made products.Our dedication to education extends to supporting mechatronics programs at Michigan Tech and developing next-generation engineers through hands-on collaboration. From custom hydraulic systems to advanced machine safety solutions, we partner with clients to transform complex challenges into reliable, scalable operations. Our ISO-certified vendor network ensures maximum quality and longevity in every solution. Whether optimizing existing systems or designing cutting-edge automation, our approach combines technical precision with a deep understanding of real-world manufacturing demands. This enduring commitment to excellence has made us a preferred partner for OEMs, integrators, and end-users across the Midwest.
Services
Machine Safety Systems
Hydraulic Power Units
Pneumatic Automation
Motion Control Solutions
Custom Engineering
Fluid Power Components
Collaborative Robotics
Industrial Training
Marine Automation
Predictive Maintenance
Details
- Year established: 1963
Highlights and features
- We offer 60+ years of specialized experience in industrial automation systems
- Our engineers have developed over 500 custom automation solutions for Midwest manufacturers
- We implement ISO-certified components from trusted U.S. and European manufacturers
- Our team includes 12+ certified technical specialists in machine safety and robotics
- We maintain strategic partnerships with 200+ premium component suppliers
Services
Machine Safety Systems
Our machine safety solutions combine risk assessment with control reliable components to protect personnel and equipment. We implement ISO 13849-1 compliant systems featuring light curtains, safety PLCs, and emergency stop circuits. Our engineers specialize in functional safety for robotic cells and industrial machinery.
Hydraulic Power Units
Custom-designed hydraulic systems optimize performance while minimizing heat and vibration. We integrate premium components like proportional valves and servo cylinders to meet NFPA and ISO 4413 standards for industrial and mobile applications.
Pneumatic Automation
Our pneumatic solutions feature energy-efficient valve manifolds and actuator systems for assembly lines and material handling. We implement smart air preparation units with leak detection to reduce compressed air waste by up to 30%.
Motion Control Solutions
Electro-mechanical and hydraulic motion systems deliver sub-micron accuracy for multi-axis applications. We program vector drives and servo controllers to synchronize complex movements in packaging and test equipment.
Collaborative Robotics
We deploy collaborative robots with force-limited end-effectors for machine tending and precision assembly. Our systems include safety-rated sensors and custom tooling for seamless human-robot interaction in manufacturing environments.
People
Mark Gauthier
President
Third-generation engineer with 30+ years in fluid power systems. Developed scholarship programs for Michigan Tech's mechatronics department. Leads strategic direction while maintaining family business values established in 1963.
Jim Kortman
Vice President Technical Sales
25-year industry veteran specializing in machinery safety standards. Holds FS Tech certification from TV Rheinland. Focuses on solving complex application challenges through innovative component integration and customer education.
Travis Winter
Engineering Manager
Licensed electrical engineer with Air Force technical systems experience. Leads development of custom control panels and automation architectures. Specializes in PLC programming and industrial networking protocols.
Kaleb Rodes
Sales Engineer
10-year automation expert with 300+ cobot deployments. Applies computer engineering background to optimize machine tending and assembly processes. Provides technical support for motion control system implementations.
Cameron Geerling
Automation Application Engineer
Former military vehicle engineer specializing in robotic systems integration. Develops custom automation solutions with expertise in PLC programming and industrial IoT implementations for predictive maintenance.
Questions
What industries does Donald Engineering serve?
We specialize in automotive, marine, manufacturing, aerospace, and industrial sectors requiring precision motion control solutions.
Do you offer custom engineering services?
Yes, our team develops tailored automation and fluid power systems for unique application requirements across multiple industries.
What machine safety certifications do your engineers hold?
Our team includes specialists certified in ISO 13849-1, ANSI B11.19, and OSHA-compliant safety system design.
Can you integrate systems with existing equipment?
We specialize in retrofitting modern automation solutions into legacy machinery while maintaining operational integrity.
What geographic areas do you service?
We primarily serve Michigan, Indiana, and the Midwest with on-site support and rapid component delivery.
How do you ensure component quality?
We exclusively partner with manufacturers producing components in ISO-certified U.S. and European facilities.
