Who We Are
Focus Technology is comprised of a group of manufacturing professionals who each possess at least 30 years of hands on, real world factory experience with top companies in numerous precision metal cutting , metrology, assembly, and other manufacturing industries.
Aside from representing some of the world’s preeminent automation, engineering, and machine tool companies, our team can also evaluate your needs and recommend other suppliers as applicable if the offerings of our principals are not ideal for your needs. We are capable of, and willing to provide manufacturing process recommendations regardless of supplier/s. Please contact us with any of your opportunities and challenges. We will be happy to review your application and provide our recommendations.
James (Buster) Barnes – Regional Partner (Southern / Southeastern States)
Buster has been supplying precision metal cutting machines and related automation & tooling to customers large and small all over the Southern/Southeastern States for over 40 years. After obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Marketing from The University of Alabama in 1973, he started his machine tool career in 1973 at the entry level with a prominent Southeastern USA distributor Y & V Corporation of Birmingham AL as an inside sales coordinator responsible for cutting tools, machines, and accessories for machines. In this role, he learned the skills of cost estimating and quotation preparation for cutting tools, field service, repair parts, and complete machining and assembly systems. In 1974, Buster moved to outside sales, responsible primarily for new customer development. In 1976, he became a co-owner of Y & V Corp. and Productive Machine Tool Inc. thereby adding significantly to their mix of represented machine tool builders. In 1986, Buster joined Scharmann Machine Tool USA / Dorries Scharmann GmbH as Director of Distributor Sales. In 1988, he joined Toyoda Machinery USA (now JTEKT Toyoda Americas Corp – JTAC) as a Regional Sales Manager for the Southeastern states – a role he held until his retirement from JTAC in mid 2020. During his time with JTAC, Buster earned numerous Sales Manager of the year awards. In August 2020, Buster joined Focus Technology Corporation as our Regional Partner for Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, & Tennessee. He also manages numerous large accounts irrespective of geographic location. Buster resides in Birmingham Alabama.
Chris Galante – Regional Partner (Michigan) & Key Account Manager
Chris is a results-driven manufacturing engineering leader committed to delivering lowest total cost solutions to manufacturing challenges. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University in 1989 and a Master of Science degree in Engineering Management From the University of Michigan-Dearborn in 1996. After his graduation from Cornell, Chris stayed in New York where he worked as a manufacturing engineer for Carrier Corporation in Syracuse. While at Carrier, he worked in advanced roles in product design and manufacturing. He developed assembly and test methods for Carrier’s first scroll compressor. He also was part of a team that developed a first-of-its-kind horizontal commercial scroll compressor. In 1994, Chris moved to Michigan to work for Ford Motor Company as a Product and Manufacturing Engineer for the Climate Control Division. There, he managed a $20M budget for machining and processing equipment for the Connersville, Indiana plant, Ford’s first application of scroll compressors. In 1999, Chris transitioned to Ford’s Powertrain Operations in Dearborn as an Engine Systems Engineer. For the next nine years, he undertook several roles in Powertrain Operations in both Dearborn and Cleveland, including Engine Systems Supervisor, Resident Engineer, and Lean Manufacturing Specialist. During the years 2008-2023, Chris was elevated to manufacturing supervisory roles for Crankshaft Machining, Gear Machining, Core Tooling and Gauging, and Core eMotor Manufacturing. In these roles, Chris led veteran teams of engineers to drive standards and process improvements while maintaining aggressive production schedules. His teams installed new machine systems in 12 plants for 23 different launches. Additionally, Chris managed the mentoring of manufacturing engineers across global powertrain manufacturing operations for engines, transmissions, and drivelines. This included the recruitment of both college graduates and experienced engineers. Chris has a proven ability to build global relationships, develop strategies, and implement solutions. In October 2023, Chris retired from Ford, and joined Focus Technology in November 2023 as a Regional Partner. Chris resides in Canton, Michigan.
Jim Hranica – Regional Partner (The Carolinas, Eastern Georgia, Virginia & Maryland, and U.S. Aerospace Markets)
After receiving his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University in 1986, Jim joined Westinghouse Electric Corporation where he was responsible for the manufacturing planning of nuclear main reactor coolant pump products and systems. In 1992, Jim joined Honda of America Manufacturing’s Anna Engine Plant in Anna Ohio as a Production Engineer on their 4 cylinder crankshaft machining line. In 1994, he became Project Leader for the purchase, installation, and start-up of their new V6 crankshaft machining line. In this role, he spent 15 months in Japan at Honda’s Mohka factory to transfer Honda’s existing V6 engine know-how. In 2001, Jim was elevated to department manager of all ferrous machining. In this role, he managed the manufacturing operations of multiple engine and suspension parts machining lines and led 46 exempt and 220 non-exempt associates in the safe and efficient production of over 3.7 million units per year. In 2004, Jim worked as Project Leader for engine plant expansion at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama. In this role, he managed all activities related to the installation of a new V6 crankshaft machining line and a new V6 connecting rod machining line. In 2006, Jim became the Anna Engine Plant Large Project Leader for their South Plant Expansion with responsibility for overseeing activities for the planning and installation of seven new 4 cylinder engine ferrous casting and machining lines. In 2009, Jim moved to North Carolina to help start Honda’s factory for the new HondaJet as Manufacturing Operations Manager. In this capacity, he was responsible for the assembly and delivery of 5 prototype HondaJets used for development testing. In 2015, Jim was elevated to the role of Senior Manufacturing Operations Manager responsible for the daily manufacturing operations and strategic planning of the HondaJet assembly line. In 2019, he moved to the role of Senior Manager of Manufacturing Project Integration with responsibility for manufacturing strategic planning. In February 2021, Jim retired from Honda Aircraft and joined Focus Technology as a Regional Partner covering the region near his home in Williamsburg, Virginia. Jim also serves as Focus Technology’s specialist for all Aerospace activities and opportunities irrespective of geographic location.
Jim Kletzien – Founder and Regional Partner (Michigan, Canada & Mexico)
After receiving his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University in 1984, Jim joined General Motors Corporation’s Pontiac Motor Division as a Manufacturing Engineer responsible for engineering production support of numerous automotive engine component manufacturing lines. Products supported included camshafts, crankshaft timing gears, connecting rods, intake valves, intake manifolds, and water pump machining and assembly. This early exposure to many manufacturing lines provided invaluable experience with numerous types of machines, processes, and suppliers. In 1988 Jim moved to the supply side of manufacturing by joining Toyoda Machinery USA Corporation as an Application / Proposal Engineer and Project Manager with responsibility for managing what was at the time the largest grinding machine order in the company’s history – 51 grinding machines for the camshaft and crankshaft lines to produce Ford’s 5.4L V8 engine. In 1990, Jim moved into a sales and account management position. In late 1992, he left the comfort of a larger company to be the first employee of a startup maker of microfinishing machines called Cimtec, Inc. At Cimtec, Jim started as Vice President of Sales & Marketing, and became the General Manager in 1994. In 1999, Jim rejoined Toyoda Machinery as National Sales Manager of their Grinding machine Division. In 2000, hearing the siren call of the internet, Jim joined another startup – Tradeout.com as Vice President of Industrial Equipment & Supplies. When the “internet bubble” burst in early 2001, Jim rejoined Toyoda Machinery as Director of Automotive Sales. In 2004, Jim was promoted to Vice President and General Manager of Toyoda’s newly established Automotive Division growing the business to a record sales level of over $80M in 2008. In late 2009, after temporarily shuttering Toyoda’s Automotive Division due to the great recession, Jim decided to start his own firm – the manufacturer’s representative and consulting firm Focus Technology focusing initially upon camshaft and crankshaft manufacturing. Jim resides in Rochester Michigan.
Brian Willeke – Regional Partner (Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia & Pennsylvania)
In 1981, Brian received his Associate degree in mechanical design engineering from Lima Technical College. In 1983, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in manufacturing engineering technology from Bowling Green State University. In 1983, Brian joined Superior Metal Products (a manufacturer of decorative trim for the appliance industry) as Plant Engineer responsible for all engineering activities including new product development and quality control systems. In 1992, Brian joined Milcor (maker of access doors, roof vents and air diffusers for the home and industrial construction industries) as Engineering Manager responsible for leading a team responsible for manufacturing improvements, cost reduction activities, and new product development. In 1998, Brian joined Honda of America Manufacturing’s Anna Engine Plant as Engineering Coordinator for multiple Brake Rotor machining lines. In this role, he was responsible for improving efficiency through continuous improvement methods. Additional responsibilities included all preventive maintenance activities, capital equipment improvements / installations, and new model development & implementation. In 2007, Brian was elevated to Staff Engineer leading nine Production Engineers and supporting all Production Associates for the V6 & L4 camshaft hardening and machining lines. Additional responsibilities included budget control and all new model development & long term planning. In 2018, Brian became New Model Staff Engineer for all ferrous machining departments consisting of camshaft casting, hardening, & machining, crankshaft machining & hardening, connecting rod machining, and cylinder sleeve spin casting & machining. In September 2020, Brian retired from Honda and joined Focus Technology as a Regional Partner covering Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and a portion of both Pennsylvania & West Virginia. Brian resides in Lima Ohio.