Strategic Roadmap Brings Synergy to Growth and Operations

Nicholsons logo in dark gray text with a gray curved triangle.

"The standard requires you to overcome roadblocks. Working with CONNSTEP we were able to advance the level of our business and bring synergy to our growth and operational plans."

—Mike Fabiani, General Manager, Corru-Seals, Inc.


Corru-Seals, dba Nicholsons, are global specialists in the design and manufacture of high temperature metal seals, gaskets and ancillary components, supplying the aerospace sector for over 40 years from their U.S. site. Corru-Seals is an approved manufacturer currently supplying seals and gaskets to U. S. aerospace industry customers including Pratt & Whitney, General Electric, Honeywell, and Rolls-Royce Indianapolis.


The company has always achieved their mandatory certifications, including the last several years as the requirements have grown and expanded not only from quality assurance but also to overall business practices. Corru-Seals also complies with the new revision standard to ensure its leadership efforts are aligned with the overall company strategy and business processes.

  • Challenge

    Corru-Seals recognized to fully realize the benefits inherent in the new quality standard would require a paradigm shift in the organization. In order to truly operate at a world class level and compete with much bigger players in a global market they needed to move beyond the mentality of just getting through the most recent audit.


    The attitude of “checking the box” was no longer acceptable. A laser-focused effort would be needed, employing management tools and metrics to provide clear direction for achieving the obvious results and more notably, operating under the intent of the new standard, and reaching growth and operational goals.

  • Solution

    Having had a previous working relationship, Corru-Seals reached out again to CONNSTEP. While the overarching purpose was to pass the audit the first time, the new underlying emphasis was to help Corru-Seals fully understand the AS 9100D standard and most importantly, its application to business operations.


    The initial gap analysis was instrumental in getting the company off to the right start while establishing a roadmap for not only the certification process but also for how to conduct business in the new environment.


    Corru-Seals had been operating under a holistic, balanced scorecard management mentality but could not correlate it to the standard certification activities, which in turn was not showing any value-added return. Embedding and institutionalizing the concepts into their management practice was needed to reap the maximum benefits.

  • Result

    By embracing the intent of the standard, Corru-Seals was successful in implementing best in class concepts. The identifiable aspects of the new standard that have changed the organization and enhanced ownership and accountability include:

    • Relevant interested parties
    • Context of the Organization
    • Employee Awareness
    • Engagement and Competency

    Each step of the way during the pre-audit process the CONNSTEP auditor was there to guide, help with interpretation, and identify the types of objective evidence needed. This allowed the organization to:

    • Improve profitability to its highest levels
    • Provide flexibility and priority to their customer base
    • Enhance overall technical and production capabilities
    • Keep key stakeholders (ownership, customers, employees, suppliers) top of mind
Blue circle with upward trending white arrow, orange border.

Project Impact

35% Expanded Facility

15% Overall Growth Enabled

15% New Employees

2 New Production Lines

April 29, 2026
Phoenix Manufacturing, Inc., founded in 1989, is a privately held family-operated small business in Enfield, Connecticut, specializing in precision machining for the aerospace industry. What began as a two-person operation in a 2,000-square-foot building has grown into a company with over 100 employees operating out of a 114,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. As a contract manufacturer, Phoenix specializes in complex, tight-tolerance components, supported by more than 40 CNC machines and a multi-axis mill/turn line. The company provides end-to-end manufacturing solutions—from engineering consultation through full-scale production—serving commercial aviation, spaceflight, and defense markets for both domestic and global customers, including leading aerospace and defense OEMs. A defining element of Phoenix’s growth has been its strategic investment in advanced manufacturing technology, particularly palletized machining centers. Since 2017, the company has added 11 machining centers integrated with palletized systems, enabling unattended, automated production and significantly expanding machining capacity. This automation journey has positioned Phoenix to better meet increasing customer demand while maximizing machine utilization. Phoenix’s commitment to quality is central to its operations and customer relationships. Managing more than 600 active part numbers, the company strives for 0 parts per million (PPM) defects and 99% on-time delivery (OTD) for major OEM customers. Its quality management system is certified to ISO 9001 and AS9100 Rev D standards, and Phoenix also holds NADCAP certifications in Nonconventional Machining and Nondestructive Testing, reflecting a rigorous, inspection-driven approach to delivering consistent, high-quality results.  Guided by a mission to deliver high-quality, cost-effective products through advanced technology and an uncompromising commitment to quality, Phoenix continues to invest in innovation, automation, and the next generation of manufacturing leadership.
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Founded in 1959, Projects Inc. is a Glastonbury, Connecticut-based manufacturer specializing in precision-machined components for aerospace, industrial, and commercial applications. With 102 employees, the company operates out of 66,000 square feet of manufacturing and office space and supports customers across a range of industries, including aerospace and power generation. Projects Inc. has deep roots in the aerospace industry, where it has provided high-quality machining services for decades. Since 1996, the company has supplied FAA Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) components to the aviation sector. Projects Inc. received FAA Repair Station Certification in 1984. As a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) provider, Projects supports customers with repair solutions that help keep critical aerospace equipment operating safely and efficiently. Its customer base includes major aerospace companies such as Sikorsky, Pratt & Whitney, and GE Aerospace, along with airlines including United, Delta, American, and Lufthansa. Projects Inc. is Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) – approved. The company is also AS9100D and ISO 9001: 2015-certified, reflecting its commitment to quality, consistency, and industry standards. With capabilities that include prototyping, CNC machining, EDM, laser cutting, and grinding, Projects Inc. offers a broad range of precision manufacturing services supported by advanced in-house equipment and technical expertise. Today, Projects Inc. is recognized as an experienced supplier of high-quality components, with a long-standing focus on quality, reliability, and customer service.
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