Jon Clifton opens one of the first specialty gaging companies in the Southeast manufacturing corridor
The founder's vision remains clear: build a company with expertise at the forefront, satisfy a regional shortfall, and increase The Gage Lab's presence in an area that is hungry for technical expertise.
“Manufacturing” and “Michigan” often go hand in hand. When most people think of automotive manufacturing, the Midwest comes to mind.
Jon Clifton grew up in the heart of Michigan’s manufacturing community. His father worked as a toolmaker/gage builder for a gage company, and most of their neighbors were employed in the automotive industry.
“It’s very easy to get into anything manufacturing-related without even trying, because that’s every job, every person’s family, that’s all everybody does,” Clifton said.
During high school, Clifton apprenticed with a local tool & die company, and upon graduation he was offered a full-time role.
“My dad’s coworker/carpool friend said, ‘I know you’re mechanically inclined. How would you like to travel, fix problems, and get paid for it?’ It sounded like a dream,” Clifton said.
So, he accepted the role where his father worked and went into the gaging business full-time starting as a service technician.
For teknovation.biz readers unfamiliar with the industry, a gage company designs, produces, and calibrates precision measurement instruments, known as gauges or “gages” depending on the spelling to differentiate. These instruments ensure the accuracy of parts and components in industries such as manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and engineering.
Over the years, Clifton honed his expertise but felt constrained by limited growth opportunities. He had ideas—big ideas—about expanding technical operations into the Southeastern U.S., where competition was limited and manufacturing was thriving. At the time, his company wasn’t ready to make that investment, so Clifton made a bold decision: he would step out on his own.
“I knew there was a real opportunity down here in the Southeast, so my wife and I sold our house in Michigan and moved to start a company – The Gage Lab,” he said.
Though passionate, Clifton’s momentum was hindered by the pandemic, which was ongoing just months after the move.
“It was a tough time to start a business,” he admitted. “All of the usual ways to get business—like door knocking—weren’t an option. Getting the ball rolling was a real struggle.”
Despite the challenges, Clifton’s break came when he landed a major job from a previous customer in Florida who oversaw operations in Kentucky, an emergency project for an automotive client in need of gages for their new axle/differential housing line. That pivotal moment affirmed his decision to relocate and set the foundation for The Gage Lab’s future growth.
Since then, opportunities have arisen, though not in the abundance Clifton once anticipated. He acknowledged the ongoing struggle to build familiarity and relationships in a region not known for gaging companies.
“No one knows we’re here,” he said. “People keep thinking they have to turn to companies in the Midwest or the Norteast to get the help they need.”
The Gage Lab’s expertise lies in providing fast, precise measurement solutions for manufacturers. Unlike Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM), which are flexible but slow, The Gage Lab’s tools are highly specific, offering rapid, tailored results for particular measurement tasks.
“We provide a very specific answer for whatever the measurement is,” Clifton explained. “We understand what it takes to make parts.”
Clifton views The Gage Lab as more than just a gaging company.
“We’re really like an integrator,” he said. “If a customer prefers a particular type of indicator or measuring probe, we buy it and integrate it into the solution we provide. We’re here to solve problems—whatever the measurement challenge, we can handle it.”
With few competitors in the Southeast and a growing need for specialized gaging, Clifton is optimistic about The Gage Lab’s future. His vision remains clear: build a company with expertise at the forefront, satisfy a regional shortfall, and increase his presence in an area that is hungry for technical expertise.
“We love East Tennessee and are here to stay,” he said.
Learn More about The Gage Lab.
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