Tulsa, OK – July 11, 2025 — The Hill Companies, a growing group of precision manufacturing businesses based in the South Central United States and led by Hill Manufacturing & Fabrication, today announced the successful acquisition of QMI, a high-performing, ISO-certified CNC machine shop located in Pryor and Tahlequah, Oklahoma.
This acquisition marks another strategic milestone in Hill’s broader vision: building a portfolio of best-in-class manufacturers that combine technical excellence, operational discipline, and customer-focused performance. The addition of QMI expands Hill’s capabilities in tight-tolerance machining, diversifies its customer base, and strengthens its position in the energy, aerospace, and industrial sectors.
Following this transaction, the Hill Companies now total 72 employees, 63 CNC spindles, and more than 13,000 square feet of dedicated welding and fabrication capacity across the portfolio.
“QMI has built a remarkable reputation over the years, and we’re honored to carry that legacy forward,” said Mike Payne, President of Hill Manufacturing and Managing Partner of The Hill Companies “This is more than just an expansion, it’s about protecting what works and investing in what’s next.”
Key Drivers Behind the Acquisition:
- Customer & Industry Diversification QMI brings long-term customer relationships in markets where Hill previously had limited reach.
- Immediate Growth Commitments Several key customers have made verbal commitments to grow their business with Hill post-acquisition.
- ISO & Quality Platform Expansion QMI’s established ISO certification enhances Hill’s ISO 9001:2015 framework, demonstrating a shared commitment to process control and precision, especially vital for Tier 1 and OEM clients.
- Operational Synergy Hill’s systems and processes are projected to drive margin improvements at QMI within the next 12 months through centralized planning, ERP integration, and enhanced quality oversight.
“Selling QMI wasn’t just about timing, it was about doing right by our people,” said Brad Gottlob, former owner of QMI. “I wanted to make sure our employees had a stable future and our customers had a strategic partner they could trust. Hill isn’t just another buyer, they’re an advanced manufacturing company with a clear vision and the resources to execute.”
The QMI facility will continue to operate under its current name — now as QMI – A Hill Company with full support from Hill’s leadership and operations teams.
“We’re not growing for the sake of growth,” Payne adds. “We’re building a portfolio that sets a new standard for what American manufacturing can be: nimble, skilled, data-driven, and dependable.”
About the Hill Companies The Hill Companies is a portfolio of precision manufacturing businesses located across the South Central United States. Led by Hill Manufacturing & Fabrication, the group delivers CNC machining, fabrication, and integrated solutions across multiple sectors. With a reputation for reliability, grit, and scalable systems, the Hill Companies exist to preserve legacies, strengthen supply chains, and elevate American manufacturing one shop at a time.
Media Contact: Mike Payne President & CEO, Hill Manufacturing & Fabrication 📧 mike@hill-manufacturing.com 🌐 www.hill-manufacturing.com