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F a l l 2 0 1 6 • S T U F F 45 Phillips Precision AT A GLANCE: Address: 141 Shrewsbury Street, Boylston, MA 01505 Phone: 508-869-3344 Website: www.phillipsprecision.cc Full-time/ FTE employees: 14 Year founded: 1997 Top executives: Steven E. Phillips, President and co-owner; Catherine M. Phillips, Business Manager and co-owner P hillips Precision is a small manufacturer that specializes in short-run production and complex prototypes. They have a high-tech prototyping facility that can turn ideas into reality quickly! Products: Pitbull® Clamp, Inspection Arsenal™, Laser Arsenal™. Ser vices: • 3D ABS Prototype Printing • 4 axis milling plus large plate work • Turning with bar feed • Surface Grinding • Cylindrical Grinding • Honing • Automatic cut-off saw • Blasting and Tumbling • Laser parts marking • Mig welding • Assembly • Inventory Management • CMM Inspection • Surface/hardness testing • Calibrated equipment traceable to NIST • 6 Seats of latest MasterCam software Markets/customers: Our customers can be anyone from Central Massachusetts to large national customers, from local companies like Table Talk Pies to produce the perfect crimp around the edge of their pies to Bose who assembled Bill Belichick's headset using our components. Taco Bell® uses our sharp cutting dies and Frito Lay® uses our grinding dies for their corn. We produce the dies to cut the windows and flaps of most envelopes. Several components for the largest digital printers – such as vibrant billboards – were also made at Phillips Precision. Nascar® fans may recognize LFR Chassis and Draco Racing components. Phillips Precision manufactures a large percentage of their machineable components. Curtis Tractor Cab uses our door latches and other cab components. We also manufacture parts for Foley Marine and Industrial engines. Careers/Job opportunities: We have an array of manufacturing jobs from precision milling and precision tuning to grinding, 3D printing and assembly. We work with QCC, Assabet Valley and many other local trade schools to local colleges. Phillips Precision has many opportunities for careers in manufacturing. Community engagement: Steve and Cathy sit on many advisory boards with the local trade schools and community colleges, promoting careers and training in manufacturing. Certifications: Phillips Precision, Inc. is proud to announce that it has received ISO 9001:2015 Certification after successfully applying a quality system for the Full Service CNC Machining and assembly from CIC Management, LLC A s she neared the end of middle school, Nicole (Nikki) Smith began considering career options. Unwilling to get "stuck" in just any job, she kept an open mind and entered Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School to explore her possibilities. She enjoyed every shop she took but found her calling when she tried machining and manufacturing. "I never realized that manufacturing is involved in everything around you," she says. "There are so many directions to go." And Nikki was ready to investigate as many of those directions as possible. Her creativity and passion in the classroom landed her a spot on the robotics design team at Bay Path, where she had the opportunity to design and create machines at every stage of development. One of the highlights of her high school days was a trip with the robotics team to Florida to compete in the national championship. After graduation, Nikki decided to pursue her interest in engineering and enrolled at Quinsigamond Community College (QCC). Soon after classes began, one of her professors left the school and fate intervened. Steve Phillips, who with his wife Cathy, owns Phillips Precision, sits on QCC's board of directors. When he was asked to become an instructor, Steve agreed, but only if classes could be held at his shop. For Nikki, this turn of events sealed her future. She thrived in the hands-on format, learning quickly and impressing Steve and Cathy. "She is honest, dependable, trustworthy and thinks like an engineer," he says. "I'm picky about who runs my CMM machine, but she had the right touch. I recognized that Nikki had an aptitude for the trade along with the soft skills necessary to succeed in the business." Armed with her two-year degree from QCC, Nikki continued the educational process, earning a four-year degree in Industrial Technology from Fitchburg State University. In search of a job, she ended up back at Phillips where she had proven herself as a student and an intern. She is now Phillips Precision's Quality Inspector and provides technical support to the machine shop. Steve says, "I was thrilled to welcome her back on a full-time basis. Her attention to detail and skill set has enabled Phillips to compete in new markets." One of the company's newest customers, Draco Racing, insists on dealing with a manufacturer who can produce high-quality parts at a reasonable price. Thanks to Nikki, every part in every racing vehicle is a first class finisher. Her strong educational foundation, penchant for perfection and willingness to continue learning has helped her – and Phillips – exceed expectations. EMPLOY EE PROF ILE: Nicole (Nikki) Smith Nikki runs the CMM, which includes Phillips Precision's product line - the interlocking plates and work holding of Inspection Arsenal™.