About us

Michigan Wheel has been committed to excellence in propulsion for over 100 years. During this time Michigan Wheel has built a reputation of quality and performance by supplying recreational, commercial, and military vessels with the finest propellers available.

MICHIGAN WHEEL IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING SUPERIOR PRODUCTS FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS WHEN THEY ARE ON THE WATER FOR RECREATION, WORK, OR IN SERVICE TO THEIR COUNTRY.

With over 100 years of excellence in propulsion, Michigan Wheel continues to make the custom-crafted boat propeller you buy off the shelf. The unmatched performance and the wide variety of styles and types in Michigan propellers offer boaters a single source for boat props that are custom made for every kind of pleasure craft in the water. Boat propellers ranging from the marine inboard and industrial fixed pitch propellers, from 3” through 96” diameters — suited for pleasure and commercial markets, all the way to a complete line of aluminum and stainless steel replacement propellers for Outboard and Sterndrive applications. Whatever your particular demands, Michigan Wheel can fit you with the right, hand-crafted propeller.

Michigan Wheel’s philosophy of applying both machine and hand operations — each in the areas where it excels — has made Michigan propellers the standard by which the industry judges excellence. Such manufacturing integrity means that, in the future, as in the past, you can depend upon Michigan Wheel – where breakthroughs in propeller technology begin.

Years of Experience

1903
1934
1949
1960-1969
1980-1989
1997
2005
2009
2010
2013
2019
2020
2020 - 2022
Michigan Wheel is organized by Harry Perkins as a machine shop for the production of a variety of items, including marine propellers.
Hall & Stavert is founded as a two-man partnership. It will grow to become the largest propeller manufacturer in Canada.
Michigan Wheel Corporation purchases Federal Propellers, uniting the primary suppliers of recreational propellers. With a combined volume in production, Michigan Wheel Corporation is able to incorporate efficient manufacturing processes.
Michigan Wheel relocates to current Buchanan Street facility in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Computer-controlled milling gains favor, and Michigan Wheel takes advantage as one of the first to implement NC machining. Michigan Wheel’s CAD-CAM abilities are unsurpassed in the ranks of propeller manufacturers.
Michigan Wheel acquires Canadian propeller competitor Hall & Stavert, manufacturer of the HyTorq Propeller series.
Michigan Wheel opens a facility in the UK, Michigan Wheel - Europe, launching a new range of inboard propellers - GOLD Line. The division assumes the name Michigan Marine Propulsion International.
Under new ownership (The Anderson Group), Michigan Wheel Corporation is reorganized as Michigan Wheel.
Michigan Wheel acquires UK bearing manufacturer Shearwater Marine and introduces Aqualube Bearings to the American marketplace.
Michigan Wheel and Nakashima Propeller form a strategic partnership, allowing Michigan Wheel to offer propellers up to 13m in diameter, controllable pitch propellers, and thrusters.
Advanced Engineering - Michigan Wheel expands investment in systems and personnel. Design capabilities and engineering that puts us ahead of the competition. Utilize Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling in our engineering process to expand marketing offerings to include a complete line of wake adapted struts, rudders, and propellers. We understand dimensional tolerances for military and formal quality systems and are highly experienced at interpreting special design requirements.
Michigan Marine Propulsion international relocates into larger facility. expands operation by adding manufacturing/machining services, propeller repair and increases warehouse space.
Michigan Wheel expands into robotics by adding mold mill capabilities and robotic polish capabilities.

Advanced Engineering

  • Design capabilities and engineering that puts us ahead of the competition.
  • Utilize Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling in our engineering process to create the most cutting-edge struts, rudders and propulsion systems in the world.
  • We understand dimensional tolerances for military and formal quality systems and are highly experienced at interpreting special design requirements.

High Standards for Quality

  • Process: Our Quality Management System controls every aspect of our business, and is certified to ISO 9001:2015
  • Product: We are an ABS certified Foundry and use exceptional alloys certified to ASTM standards to produce castings of the highest quality
  • People: Quality comes first to the team at Michigan Wheel, and the people we choose to partner with share that passion.