Company Background:
Pro Cut CNC Machine, Inc. began in Hooksett, New Hampshire, in 1995, when founder Marcel Labonville, an auto racing enthusiast, needed custom parts for his racing car. After successfully having the parts made at a local shop, Marcel realized he could manufacture them himself. This led him to purchase his first CNC machine and transform his passion into a business.
Starting in a modest 1,200-square-foot facility, Pro Cut CNC Machine quickly gained traction. In 2004, the company relocated to a larger space, eventually expanding further. By 2021, Marcel’s wife, Monica Labonville, retired from her HR career to join the company full-time, strengthening the leadership team.
Today, Pro Cut operates out of a 13,000-square-foot facility with 18 CNC machines and a dedicated team of six employees, primarily serving the medical, aerospace, and defense industries.
Situation:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Pro Cut’s core business in medical device manufacturing—specifically, components for elective surgeries—experienced a sharp decline. “With elective surgeries slowing dramatically, we had to diversify into other markets to ensure our survival,” explained Monica Labonville, Vice President of Pro Cut CNC Machine, Inc.
To successfully enter new markets—particularly aerospace and defense—Pro Cut needed to demonstrate its commitment to quality and reliability and recognized that obtaining ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D quality certifications would position Pro Cut as a trusted supplier, enhancing customer confidence and opening new business opportunities.
Solution:
Pro Cut connected with the New Hampshire Small Business Development Center (NH SBDC) and learned about NH MEP’s ISO certification training program. NH MEP introduced Pro Cut to their third-party training partner, DeNovo, LLC. DeNovo provided comprehensive training and support to guide Pro Cut through the ISO 9001:2015 certification process.
This training helped Pro Cut formalize its processes, optimize resource management, and establish a robust quality management system. These improvements resulted in consistent product quality, improved customer satisfaction and achieving ISO 9001:2015 certification. Building on this, the AS9100D training and subsequent certification the following year further prepared Pro Cut to compete in the aerospace and defense sectors by enhancing its focus on process improvement, traceability and industry best practices.
Results:
“Both certifications opened doors we couldn’t access before, especially in the aerospace and defense industries,” said Marcel Labonville, President of Pro Cut CNC Machine, Inc. “We secured a new customer working with a major aerospace firm, and that relationship has helped to re-secure our financial stability.”
The following results for Pro Cut CNC Machine, Inc. can be credited to having gone through NH MEP’s ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certification training:
- $200,000 in new sales over the last 12 months
- Retained sales of $50,000 over the last 12 months that otherwise would have been lost
- Retained 1 job over the last 12 months
- Increased investment of $5,000 in information systems and software over the last 12 months
- Increased investment of $20,000 in workforce practices or employee skills over the last 12 months
“Partnering with NH MEP and DeNovo was a game changer for Pro Cut. Their training gave us the knowledge and confidence to secure both ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certifications that directly contributed to our growth and stability.”