Craftwerk Brewing Systems got its start four years ago with the idea of supplying the equipment for the rapidly growing craft brewing movement in Michigan. Since then, the Lake Orion-based business has grown into a national brand.
"We have equipment in something like 20 states," says Tark Heine, managing director of
Craftwerk Brewing Systems.
Heine got his start in craft brewing in mid-Michigan in 1989 when he began working for the Frankenmuth Brewery. He worked in management there until 2006 and struck out on his own in the industry a few years later.
"What really got me into fabrication was building the
Frankenmuth Brewery," Heine says.
Craftwerk Brewing Systems manufactures high-quality, Michigan-made brewing equipment that now can be found in breweries throughout the state, including
Motor City Brewing Works,
Short's Brewing Co, and
Founders Brewing Co., as well around the country. The company offers design, engineering, fabrication, and installation services for brewers from coast to coast.
"We can do a turn-key brewery for you," Heine says. Locally, Craftwerk built Birmingham's
Griffin Claw Brewing Co. from the ground up.
The company has doubled its revenue over the last year, allowing it to grow its team to 95 people, including eight hires over the last year. Of its current staff, 88 are fabricators.
"The biggest problem we have is finding and training the fabricators," Heine says.
The rapid expansion of craft breweries and similar outfits (distillers and meade makers), both in Michigan and across the U.S., has left Heine bullish about his company’s prospects.
"The market is not slowing down," Heine says.
Source: Tark Heine, managing director of Craftwerk Brewing Systems
Writer: Jon Zemke
Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.
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