Manufacturing success doesn’t happen accidentally. Our partnership was built on strategy. In the era of speed-to-market pressure, companies need manufacturing partners grounded in heritage.
Hayes Performance Systems is that partner. For over 75 years, Hayes has engineered high-performance components for motorcycles, powersports vehicles, commercial turf equipment, and heavy industrial applications.
Today, that same engineering legacy fuels the precision machining power of ACI Industries. We are a Wisconsin-based advanced CNC machining and manufacturing partner known for producing complex, mission-critical components.
Together, we form a unique partnership, combining heritage and precision, giving OEMs access to world-class manufacturing with Tier 1 engineering rigor.
The Hayes Performance Legacy: 75+ Years of Engineering Excellence
Founded in 1946, Hayes Performance Systems began with the mission to engineer components that deliver reliability under extreme performance conditions. Over the decades, their products have evolved from mechanical braking systems into high-performance hydraulic braking and control systems for:
- Powersports and motorcycles
- Side-by-sides and ATVs
- Commercial turf and industrial vehicles
- Heavy equipment and specialty vehicles
Hayes has become synonymous with performance under pressure. Their braking systems are trusted by leading powersports manufacturers (including Harley-Davidson® and other global OEM brands) because Hayes does not design for “acceptable tolerance,” but for precision, repeatability, and performance.
Manufacturing Quality—Not Just Manufacturing Capacity
At Hayes, quality is the culture. Their vertical manufacturing model includes:
- Full in-house engineering
- Material certification and traceability
- Precision CNC machining
- Component testing and validation
- Final assembly and performance verification
This engineering-first mindset influences every project that touches their shop floor, whether they’re machining a brake caliper body for a powersports manufacturer or supporting a high-complexity part for an industrial customer.
From Braking Systems to Precision Machining Leadership
The transition from performance system design to high-precision CNC machining happened organically.
To produce components that perform under intense vibration, heat, pressure, and load, Hayes had to build unmatched machining capabilities: tight tolerances, premium materials, and repeatability on every run.
Their machining requirements set the tone:
- Thin-wall precision
- Critical sealing surfaces
- High-quality surface finishes
- Zero variation in high-volume runs
This environment became a natural breeding ground for machining excellence.
Today, Hayes is not just a braking innovator; they are a precision manufacturing leader, and that engineering discipline now fuels their CNC machining partnership with ACI Industries.
Combined Capabilities & Synergies of Hayes & ACI
Engineering + Precision CNC = A Manufacturing Powerhouse
The partnership between Hayes Performance Systems and ACI Industries is about more than shared equipment. This is a strategic manufacturing ecosystem. Hayes brings 75+ years of performance engineering; ACI brings specialized CNC machining depth and advanced production technology.
How Their Expertise Converges
| Hayes Performance Systems | ACI Industries |
| Manufactures performance systems and assemblies | Produces high-complexity CNC-machined components |
| Engineering-led R&D for OEM components | Rapid prototyping and small-to-large production |
| Quality testing and performance validation | Precision multi-axis CNC machining and metrology |
Advanced Manufacturing Processes
Through shared resources and integration, customers gain access to:
- 5-axis CNC machining
- Automated cells and robotics
- High-volume production machining
- CMM inspection and metrology
- Thermal and material testing
This means clients can go from prototype to tested assembly to scaled production with one partnership.
Quality Systems Integration
Both companies operate under stringent quality protocols:
- ISO-certified manufacturing environments
- PPAP/APQP readiness for automotive and powersports
- Full material traceability
- Cpk/Ppk capability studies
For manufacturing decision-makers, this translates into risk reduction. For engineering teams, it means rapid iteration. For purchasing teams, it ensures predictable delivery and budget control.
Customer Service Standards
Both companies share a similar philosophy: Be engineering-led. Be responsive and customer-focused. Build long-term manufacturing partnerships—not transactions.
We are committed to the success of our customers by providing support from design to delivery.
Industry Applications & Success Stories
Powersports & Motorcycle Innovation
Hayes has been a cornerstone in motorcycle performance manufacturing for decades, including brake calipers and performance assemblies used in Harley-Davidson® motorcycles and global powersports brands.
Performance Component Manufacturing
From braking calipers to billet aluminum performance parts, the Hayes-ACI model supports:
- High-speed machining of aluminum and stainless steel
- Thin-wall machining with tight tolerances
- Surface finishing and sealing surfaces for high-pressure applications
The partnership gives OEMs access to machining processes engineered for real-world use in extreme conditions.
Tier 1 Supplier Relationships
Hayes Performance Systems is a recognized Tier 1 supplier with established OEM program management frameworks. As a manufacturing partner, they bring:
- Robust program launch processes
- Engineering change control discipline
- Predictable demand planning and supply chain alignment
Paired with ACI’s agility and CNC capacity, OEMs get the rare balance of speed and sophistication.
Transferable Expertise Across Industries
Cross-industry expertise is where this partnership excels.
Because Hayes builds components that must perform under extreme conditions, the machining requirements exceed standard tolerances required in industries like:
- Industrial equipment
- Heavy machinery
- Defense components
- Agricultural and commercial vehicles
The result?
Organizations in non-powersports industries get access to mission-critical production standards normally reserved for high-performance OEMs.
Market Leadership & Future Vision
The Wisconsin Precision Manufacturing Renaissance
Wisconsin has quietly become a hub for precision machining and advanced manufacturing, supported by:
- Tight supply chain networks
- Investment in skilled labor
- A culture of engineering discipline
Hayes and ACI represent a new era of American precision manufacturing that is competitive with global suppliers while maintaining domestic control.
Made in the USA: A Competitive Advantage
In order to stay competitive in the market, we are seeing many companies moving manufacturing back to the U.S. This can reduce risks, cut shipping costs, and allow for more process control.
Organizations are shifting work back to the U.S. because of:
- Rising overseas labor costs
- Quality control risks
- Long supply chain lead times
- Global shipping volatility
The Hayes and ACI partnership lets OEMs reshore without sacrificing price, precision, or capacity.
Technology Investment & Innovation
Both companies continue to invest in:
- Automation
- Multi-axis machining
- Real-time inspection
- Production analytics
These investments ensure scalability—and reduce per-part cost through efficiency.
Partnership Opportunities
Innovation starts with experience but is sustained through precision.
With more than 75 years of engineering excellence, Hayes Performance Systems and ACI Industries deliver precision machining built on a heritage of performance, reliability, and manufacturing leadership.
OEMs searching for a manufacturing partner are invited to explore new programs, prototype development, or full-scale production transitions.
If you’re ready for the next level of performance and manufacturing, Hayes and ACI Industries are ready to help you from start to finish. Contact us today to get started.