CNC Machining for Manufacturing: How Truco Machine Pivoted for Growth

CNC machining for manufacturing helped Truco Machine pivot from engine rebuilding to custom parts when the market changed. This shift allowed the company to stay competitive and support modern production facilities.

Many manufacturers face the same issue. Markets evolve, demand drops, and proven business models stop working. Truco Machine experienced this firsthand and chose to adapt instead of staying stuck.

Led by owner Andy O’Connor, the company made a strategic move into CNC machining. As a result, Truco now serves industries like pharmaceutical and food production with reliable, custom solutions.

The Challenge: A Declining Engine Market

The engine rebuilding market declined as technology improved and engines lasted longer.

For decades, Truco Engine built a strong reputation. Founded in 1969, the shop served customers with consistent demand and steady growth.

However, engine lifespan increased from about 50,000 miles to over 150,000 miles. Because of this change, fewer customers needed rebuilding services.

At the same time, Truco found success in the natural gas sector. Yet even that market declined as facilities shut down and contracts ended.

As a result, it became clear that the existing model would not support long-term growth.

A Practical Path Forward with CNC Machining for Manufacturing

CNC machining for manufacturing gave Truco Machine a new path by allowing the company to produce custom machine parts for modern industries.

Instead of forcing the old model to work, Andy looked for new opportunities. A conversation with a CNC machinist and a visit to a trade show sparked the idea.

At the show, he saw a CNC machine building a full engine block from solid aluminum. That moment showed what modern machining could achieve.

Soon after, Truco invested in its first CNC mill and brought in the right expertise. The company began transitioning in 2017 by running both engine work and CNC machining.

Over time, CNC machining for manufacturing became the stronger path. In 2025, Truco fully committed to machining and moved away from engine rebuilding.

Today, the company focuses on creating custom machine parts that help maintenance teams keep equipment running.

The Results: Stronger Growth and New Opportunities

CNC machining for manufacturing positioned Truco Machine for long-term success in growing industries.

Now, Truco supports production facilities that rely on fast, reliable part replacement. This includes pharmaceutical and food manufacturers that cannot afford downtime.

Because of this shift, the company gained several advantages:

• Access to growing markets

• Ability to create custom machine parts

• Opportunities for repeat orders

• Faster turnaround compared to OEM suppliers

In addition, Truco often works without original drawings. This allows the company to reverse engineer parts and solve urgent problems for maintenance teams.

As a result, Truco moved from a declining market into one with steady demand and higher value work.

Conclusion

CNC machining for manufacturing helped Truco Machine pivot, grow, and serve modern production facilities more effectively.

Instead of holding onto a shrinking market, the company invested in new capabilities and built a stronger future. This decision continues to drive success today.

For manufacturers facing similar challenges, the takeaway is simple. If something is not working, try something else.