M ichael and Carlton Guthrie are proof that Gary, Indiana, has produced not just great athletes and artists—but great industrialists. As co-founders and co-chairmen of Detroit Chassis LLC, the Guthrie Brothers built more than a company—they built a legacy of Black excellence in American manufacturing.
From Gary to the Motor City
Born and raised in Gary, Indiana, Michael and Carlton Guthrie grew up surrounded by the rhythm of industry. Steel mills were the heartbeat of their city, and hard work was its anthem. That ethos shaped their approach to business—pragmatic, precise, and people-centered.
Michael Guthrie Earned Degrees From Harvard College and Harvard Law School
He began his career at an elite Chicago law firm before becoming General Counsel for Johnson Products, where he combined legal expertise with a deep understanding of corporate leadership.
Carlton Guthrie Earned His MBA From Harvard Business School
He built his career in investment banking and finance, developing the operational and strategic expertise that would later guide the brothers’ entrepreneurial ventures.
Together, they blended law, finance, and business strategy with grit—positioning themselves not just as businessmen, but as builders of opportunity.
Together, they blended strategy with grit—positioning themselves not just as businessmen, but as builders of opportunity.
Driving Change in Detroit
In 1998, the Guthrie Brothers acquired Detroit Chassis LLC, a Ford Motor Company spin-off specializing in chassis assembly for vehicles like the Ford F-53 and F-59 commercial platforms. Under their leadership, Detroit Chassis became a Tier 1 supplier, employing hundreds of Detroit residents and partnering with unions to create sustainable jobs.
Their mission extended beyond production lines. The Guthries made Detroit Chassis a model of inclusive capitalism—prioritizing local hiring, workforce development, and community engagement. “Our business model is built on people,” they’ve often said. “If you invest in your team, the product will take care of itself.”
We’ve always believed that manufacturing can do more than make products—it can make possibilities. Our goal is to build companies that build people.
Michael Guthrie
Building More Than Cars
The Guthrie Brothers didn’t stop at Detroit Chassis. Their holding company, Cambridge Industries Group, expanded into energy and manufacturing ventures across North America and Africa. Their influence extended through advocacy for minority-owned business inclusion in global supply chains.
They became thought leaders in urban economic revitalization, proving that belief—in your idea, your team, and your city—can drive industries forward even in the face of adversity.
Belief In Motion
While their operations are centered in Detroit, their story begins in Gary—and it reflects the spirit of both cities. Born in the industrial Midwest, refined by higher education, and driven by a mission to give back, Michael and Carlton Guthrie personify what happens when vision meets vocation.
Their success stands as a blueprint for a new generation of entrepreneurs—particularly those from Gary—who are ready to reclaim their city’s narrative and reignite its economy.
The Greatness of Gary
In celebrating the Guthrie Brothers, we’re reminded that greatness from Gary isn’t confined to the past. It’s alive in the factories they’ve built, the communities they’ve revived, and the belief they’ve inspired across generations.
Because in the end, the most powerful thing you can manufacture is belief.
