Person in factory working on metal parts

Customer service driven from the start…

In 2012, Tom Darby, owner of aerospace components manufacturing company TMD Machining (TMD), was exasperated with the levels of customer service that he was receiving from his heat treating sub-suppliers. So, he decided to do something about it and, together with his daughter Adrien and industry veterans Mark Fortuna & Frank Metelka, started Darby Metal Treating (DMT).

The initial goal for DMT was to perform the heat treating operations for TMD’s products, but it didn’t take long for word-of-mouth to spread that there was a new heat treating operation in business and other local customers began to send their parts to be heat treated by DMT. Pleased with the levels of service that they received from this new operation, word spread further, and a new commercial heat treating shop was born.

Fast forward to today, DMT has built a tremendous reputation of providing a high level of customer service and responsiveness at fair market prices.

The business has since expanded exponentially, adding square footage twice, several new furnaces and new heat treating process capabilities. DMT continues to pursue a growth strategy, using the Entrepreneurial Operation System, and intends to be one of the largest heat treaters in Michigan in 10 years.

If you’re looking for a heat treat sub-supplier who will pick up the phone and speak with you, answer your emails and respond to quotes in a timely fashion, and provide you with an overall level of service that you expect to receive, consider us for your heat treat processing requirements. Guided by our core values, our team is ready and willing to help you with any questions or needs that you may have.

Metal parts in and out of focus

60K

Square foot facility

99%

On time delivery

20+

Thermal processing furnaces, ovens and freezers

24

Maximum hours response time to any inquiry

Looking to diversify your supply chain?
We got you…

Darby Metal Treating is majority women-owned and has achieved the certification offered by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council. This certification is the culmination of an extensive review of our business to prove that it is not only women-owned but majority women-controlled. We’re proud of this diversity and feel that it adds strength to our organization. It also helps our customers to diversify their supply chains and still receive best-in-class service for heat treatment of their critical components. If you’d like a copy of our certificate, head over to our Accreditations page and you’ll find a link to it there.

This is the official logo of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council, the certifying body for women-owned businesses.

Our Management Team

Image of Adrien Darby

Adrien Darby

President & Quality Manager

Manages our quality functions and leads our business. She sets the standard for our “It’s In the Details” core value.

Image of Tom Darby

Tom Darby

Visionary & General Manager

“Focused on the customer”, Tom leads the charge to continually grow our business and expand our offerings.

Image of Maxwell Darby

Maxwell Darby

Operations Manager

Responsible for our best-in-class lead times and the day-to-day operations at DMT and champions our “WDR” core value.

Image of Dave Bates

Dave Bates

Sales Manager

Manages sales and marketing for DMT. Well into his second decade in the heat treat industry, he is “Happy to Help.”

DMT’s Core Values

Red icon of an outline of two people

Focused on the customer

Responsive, attentive, and easy to work with.

Red icon of shaking hands

Happy to Help

Helpful, willing, and energetic.

Red icon of magnifying glass

It’s in the details

Attentiveness, error proofing, and focus on quality.

Red icon of an arm flexing and displaying muscle

“WDR”

Work Hard, Be Dependable & Respectful

Our commitments to you

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Quick turnaround times

Our lead times outperform the competition.

Red icon of an outline of a person speaking

Responsiveness

Our goal is to respond to you within 24 hours, every time.

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High quality services

We strive for accreditation and are always considering more.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters”

Colossians 3:23

This verse is important to us because we embrace the idea of working for the Lord, rather than solely for human recognition or profit, and are driven to deliver excellence, honesty, and genuine care in all our endeavors. It is a guiding principle, reminding us and others involved in our business to approach each task with diligence, integrity, and a desire to serve beyond self-interest, fostering a culture of purposeful work and ethical conduct.

A logo for the Entrepreneurial Operation System, EOS for short, which is the business management system that DMT uses.

We Run Our Business With EOS

In 2022, Darby Metal Treating began integration of the Entrepreneurial Operation System (EOS) as a business management system. This is a consultant guided system designed to help small business establish solid strategic plans for future growth and direction, as well as, offers a structured way to run the business on a daily basis. Several teams across the business meet on a weekly basis to review key criteria and metrics, set action items that need to be completed, address any and all issues that arise throughout the business and identify root causes so they can be addressed and solved.

Need Machining As Well?

Our sister company, TMD Machining, has the same high standards and could be the perfect fit for your machining needs. Capabilities include: machining, grinding, EDM, hone and lap, assembly, and testing. Click the button to the right to visit the TMD site.