TKD² Group serves as an extension of our clients’ sales and engineering organizations in North America. We develop OEM and Tier relationships, identify and qualify opportunities, coordinate technical engagement, support RFQs, and help carry programs toward award and launch. When growth requires localization, sourcing, or additional engineering support, we help clients build the capabilities needed to succeed.

We partner with small to mid-sized suppliers in the automotive, aerospace, defense and industrial sectors that, for example:

• US, EU or UK based automotive, aerospace, defense or industrial suppliers seeking U.S. market entry
• Technology-driven manufacturers of EV, mobility, or Industry 4.0 components
• Small to midsized companies lacking a full-time U.S. presence
• Any Supplier with innovative or precision technologies that need help scaling in North America

We offer a full-service portfolio, including:

🚀 Business Development & Sales Execution

- Strategic account targeting (Ford, GM, Stellantis, Tesla, Honeywell, CAT, CNH, Innio,  Magna, ZF, Bosch, etc.)
- In-person customer visits, RFQ support, trade show representation
- Onsite tech days and product presentations

• Tier 1 + OEM engagement

🧠 Engineering & Project Support

🏭 Manufacturing Localization Support

- Site selection and startup project management
- Government & incentive support navigation
- Lessons learned from past localization projects (PPAP, TS audit, plant staffing, customer alignment)

When should i start thinking about localization? 
Where should i locate?
What can i expect in support from local governments?  Other industry groups?
What pit falls do i need to avoid? 
What can i learn from others?
How will customers react?  How do i get them on my side?

⚡ EV / eMobility Market Consulting

- Support for EV charging, connectors, battery enclosures, lightweighting
- Sourcing and local manufacturing for EV components

🔗 Supply Chain & Sourcing

- Domestic sourcing for electrified powertrain and chassis components
- Supplier vetting, basket of parts sourcing, and localization
- Onshoring advisory for EU companies

There's no simple answer to this question.  However there are some guiding principals that can help ensure success.  

First and foremost - Find trusted, local partners. The US is a big country with 50 different states, different internal cultures, pro's / con's to various areas, resource availability, etc.  How you approach the US may be very different depending on the company, products, existing customers etc..  The right local partner, like TKD² can help you prioritize the approach and navigate the risks involved....at the right time.  

Nemawashi is the Japanese term for "preparing the ground".  It's a great phrase that translate far beyond it's original meeting.  Laying a foundation ahead of what's to come will ensure success in the long run.  

Cold calling can be frustrating and result in limited success.  A faster path involves leveraging existing networks from trusted individuals, that is where much of our value lies.  After decades in the industry, we can help suppliers short cut the often very slow process of outreach, RFQ and new business award.  

At some point - the pipeline will get healthy enough that localization will naturally become part of the discussion.  Whether its hiring direct sales or logistics support, quality support or even establishing a manufacturing facility - localization can evolve over time.  It's important to understand the importance of this to the business itself and the impact future growth.  We help clients find the right path to localization.  

• We don’t just consult — we execute as part of your extended team.

• Native German speakers + U.S. industry veterans

• Decades of automotive experience: engineering, purchasing, quality, and operations

• Agile team backed by smart tools and deep connections

End customers value TKD² because we understand their world. With decades of experience across engineering, manufacturing, sales, purchasing, and quality, we speak the same language they do—technically and commercially.  We bring qualified solutions — not just introductions.

✅ Technical & Commercial Fluency
✅ Trusted network of vetted suppliers
✅ Speed-to-value in sourcing and project alignment
✅ Problem-solving mindset vs. transactional sales
✅ Cultural competence — especially for German/European suppliers

We specialize in:

• Automotive

• Aerospace

• eMobility & Industrial Automation

• Defense & Energy

• Medical (typically outside of the OR)

Our headquarters is in Canton, Michigan, with a growing presence across key U.S. manufacturing hubs. We serve clients with local support across from California, to Montana, to Texas and in between.  

We provide national reach with local engagement — in-person support where it matters.

Visit our Contact Page or email us directly at info@tkd2group.com.  We’ll schedule a discovery session to assess your goals, challenges, and fit for the U.S. market.

We're always on the lookout to connect and work with experienced professionals who align with our values and way of working.

TKD² is built for technical and sales-minded individuals who are looking for a different mode of work — one with more autonomy, flexibility, and impact. Our team is made up of like-minded industry experts who have deep networks and years of experience across automotive and advanced manufacturing.

Many of us are in our “second career” — ready to step away from the structure of traditional corporate life and apply our knowledge in a more agile, collaborative environment. If you’re energized by helping innovative companies grow, and want to leverage your industry relationships in a small, focused team — TKD² may be a great fit.  

If you are already out in the Sales and Business development world but working on your own - Our platform of tools can help you grow YOUR existing client relationships. 

At the same time our pipeline of new clients is constantly challenging our in house expertise and resources.  

Let's connect!  

With more than 100 years of collective experience, our team is able to be the voice of the customer internally and also the voice of the supplier to the customer.  This helps expedite program decisions.  

The portfolio includes casting, machining, fasteners, tooling, automation, powder metal and SMC, plastic injection molding and finishing, wire harness and PCB manufacturing, complex assembly and metal fabrication.

What aerospace manufacturing capabilities does TKD2 represent?

The portfolio includes precision machining, aluminum casting and machining, tooling and automation, metal fabrication, wire harness and PCB manufacturing, complex assembly, and selected plastic molding and finishing. Supplier qualifications must be verified for each program.

Can TKD2 help an international aerospace supplier enter the U.S. market?

Yes. TKD2 can help define target accounts, position capability, build customer relationships, coordinate technical discussions and support RFQs. We can also help evaluate when local sales, logistics, engineering or manufacturing support is required.

How does TKD2 support production ramp-up?

We help make the ramp discussion concrete: capacity, tooling, sub-tier control, inspection, quality records, staffing, logistics and customer communication. The manufacturing partner remains responsible for execution and applicable approvals.

Are all TKD2 manufacturing partners AS9100 certified?

No blanket claim should be made. Certifications vary by represented manufacturer and facility. TKD2 will identify the verified status and other program-specific requirements during qualification.

What kinds of medical manufacturing projects fit TKD2?

The strongest fit is medical equipment and device work, typically outside the OR, that needs molding, machining, fabrication, tooling, electronics or complex assembly. Final fit depends on the product classification, quality requirements, supplier certifications and validation needs.

Can TKD2 help qualify an alternate medical-device supplier?

TKD2 can help identify candidate manufacturing partners, organize capability and documentation discussions, and coordinate technical-commercial engagement. The legal manufacturer remains responsible for its quality system, supplier controls, regulatory submissions and change approvals.

Does TKD2 provide FDA or ISO 13485 consulting?

TKD2 is not a regulator, certification body or substitute for specialized quality and regulatory counsel. We help surface requirements early and coordinate with the customer's quality team and appropriately qualified resources.

Can TKD2 support a medical supplier entering the U.S. market?

Yes. We can help define target customers, position the capability, develop relationships, support meetings and RFQs, and evaluate localization or local-support needs.

What manufacturing capabilities can TKD2 bring to defense and firearms programs?

TKD2 represents manufacturers across precision machining, metal fabrication, tooling and automation, aluminum casting, cold-formed fasteners, wire harnesses, PCB manufacturing and complex assembly. The correct fit depends on materials, tolerances, volume, inspection, controlled information and program requirements.

Can TKD2 help a commercial manufacturer enter the defense market?

Yes. TKD2 can help evaluate market fit, identify target customers, position the capability, coordinate technical engagement and support U.S. business development. Certification, cybersecurity, licensing and export-control work must be verified with the appropriate qualified specialists.

How does TKD2 evaluate a supplier for a defense opportunity?

We start with the actual requirement: part function, material, volume, quality expectations, documentation, capacity, location and timing. We then compare those needs with a represented manufacturer's verified capabilities and program readiness.

Does TKD2 provide CMMC, ITAR or regulatory certification?

No. TKD2 is not a certification body or legal adviser. We help customers and suppliers surface the relevant requirements early, coordinate with qualified resources and avoid treating compliance as an afterthought.

What types of humanoid and industrial robot parts can TKD2 help source?

Potential fits include wire harnesses, PCB and electronic assemblies, molded and finished plastic components, powder metal parts, gears and bushings, machined parts, castings, fabricated structures, fasteners, tooling and production automation. The application and performance requirements determine the correct supplier.

Can TKD2 help move a robotics product from prototype to production?

TKD2 can coordinate manufacturing partner selection, DFM discussions, tooling, process planning, quotation and local technical engagement. The objective is to expose scale-up risk early and build a supplier structure that can absorb change.

Why are automotive suppliers relevant to robotics?

Automotive suppliers bring disciplined launch, process control, automation, traceability and repeatable high-quality production. Those methods can be valuable in robotics when paired with the speed and flexibility an evolving platform requires.

Does TKD2 manufacture complete humanoid robots?

No. TKD2 represents component, process and assembly capabilities and provides business development and engineering coordination. The page should never imply complete robot design or manufacturing responsibility.