Every minute of downtime in industries like steel, oil, food processing, or municipal utilities can mean thousands of dollars in losses, safety risks, or public service disruptions. Whether it’s a failed pump at a wastewater plant or a stalled gearbox on a food production line, what businesses need isn’t just a patch job—they need a partner who can deliver reliable, long-lasting solutions with a fast turnaround. That’s where American Electric Motor (AEM) comes in.
For over 50 years, AEM has kept critical operations running through precision motor and gearbox repair, custom machining, VFD and circuit board repair, and crane services. With the capacity to handle motors up to 5,000 horsepower and load testing up to 600 horsepower, AEM has become the go-to shop for urgent and complex repair needs. The company serves a wide range of industries, including municipal wastewater systems, industrial cooling towers, and large-scale food processing operations. Its clients include both private companies and public entities such as the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and local municipalities.
“If it leaves this shop with our tag on it, our guys put their heart and soul into it. That motor or gearbox is going to perform the way it’s supposed to,” says Michael Cole Porter, owner and president.
Legacy Reclaimed, Quality Reinforced
Since Douglas Massey opened AEM in a modest two door shop in midtown Memphis in 1973, a hallmark of the company has been unwavering craftsmanship. As AEM expanded into its 2.5 acre facility in 1996, every new piece of equipment and every additional team member carried forward Massey’s exacting standards.
That legacy continued when his grandson, Michael Cole Porter, first set foot in the shop at age 12—learning welding and mechanical repair side by side with veteran machinists. Those early lessons in precision and accountability became Porter’s guiding principles.
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If it leaves this shop with our tag on it, our guys put their heart and soul into it. That motor or gearbox is going to perform the way it’s supposed to
When AEM briefly passed to an outside owner in 2011, those principles were tested—and then reaffirmed. Porter’s decision to reacquire the company in 2015 wasn’t just a change of ownership; it was a restoration of AEM’s founding ethos. His grandfather returned as a consultant, ensuring that the company’s decades of know how and quality control remained intact.
Today, AEM operates 24/7 with a team whose collective experience spans 20 to 50 years per technician. That continuity means every motor repair and gearbox rebuild taps into institutional knowledge refined over half a century. And because trust is earned one honest conversation at a time, AEM never overpromises. If a deadline can’t be met, clients know up front—so in the rare event of an after hours emergency, they can count on AEM to deliver exactly what they need, exactly when they need it.
One such instance involved a critical repair for the City of Memphis at the North Pumping Station. A 19,000-horsepower slip ring motor had failed during heavy rainfall, causing floodwater to back up toward downtown and into the basement of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. AEM was called in for an emergency repair and completed the work in under 24 hours, enabling the city to restore pump operations and begin clearing six feet of water before the situation worsened.
Future Growth Backed by Experience
AEM continues to expand, with recent client wins in the automotive sector tied to Ford’s Blue Oval City project in nearby Stanton, Tennessee. New municipal contracts and engagements with two additional Kellogg’s plants have contributed to a 35–40% increase in new sales. The company has also strengthened supplier relationships with Weg, Worldwide Electric, and custom motor builder Louis Allis, supporting large-scale projects for clients like TVA.
With unmatched expertise, a dedicated workforce, and a deep-rooted family legacy, American Electric Motor remains a trusted force in industrial repair and service. It’s more than just a business—it’s a commitment to doing the job right, for every customer, every time.
