About Advanced Machining Services

The Shop

Advanced Machining Services was born in 2002 and was immediately met with success. The owners, Mark Wolfkeil and Craig Achatz, put almost 70 years of combined precision machining experience to work and created a business that strives to provide quality through excellence.

After 3 years of successful business, the addition of several machines and employees, Advanced Machining Services needed to expand their shop. Land was purchased in Bend, Oregon off of American Lane, plans were drawn, and ground was broken in March 2005. The 10,000 sq foot machining facility provides a home for Advanced Machining Services as well as a local aircraft business, Kawak Aviation Technologies. The doors opened in March 2006 and Advanced Machining Services has continued to turn out superior precision made products.

Executive Team

Originally from Portland, Craig has been pursuing machining in Oregon from a young age. He attended a Vocational High School, majoring in Machine Technologies and began working in the trades after school and on weekends. After high school, he spent 2 years at Portland Community College studying the trades. For 8 years Craig participated in a formal apprenticeship at Jackson Machine in Portland. During this time, he became proficient in all types of machine tools. In 1975 Craig and his wife Barbara spent 2 years backpacking though Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Asia, the Mid-East and Europe. But Craig still found time to work in Sydney, Australia for 1 year as a machinist and toolmaker in a factory environment.

After their return to Oregon, they opened a small resort business in Prineville, OR. During the off season, Craig began working at ISCO in Bend. Craig eventually moved his family to Bend in 1985. During his 18 years at ISCO, he worked as a machinist and shop manager, gaining experience in purchasing, sales, customer relations, process, and quality control. In 1989 he was promoted to General Manager. Craig advanced his training through continued education.

In 2002, Craig and his business partner Mark Wolfkeil opened Advanced Machining Services. With his more than 38 years in the precision machining industry, Craig has built a business dedication to superior quality and customer relations.

Mark has spent over 25 years in the precision machining industry. He acquired his Associates Degree in Machine Technologies at PPCC prior to attending the University of Colorado. After college, Mark served a 3 year apprenticeship at a high precision shop involved in the aerospace industry.

In 1982, he left Colorado Springs for Portland, OR and was employed for 14 years at Sunset Manufacturing. Mark became proficient on all CNC Machines and advanced to floor supervisor, managing over 15 employees. Mark and his wife Susan eventually made their way to Bend, OR in 1999. In Bend he was employed with ISCO as CNC Department Supervisor for 3 years.