Automation, talent, and aerospace expertise are taking C&S Machine Products to new heights
C&S Machine Products Inc. (C&S) is a US-based contract manufacturing company specializing in ultra-precision machining and complex component production. Founded in 1966 and headquartered in Niles, Michigan, the company has built a reputation for delivering high-precision parts to some of the world’s most demanding industries, including aerospace, defense, medical, commercial manufacturing, and power generation. Over nearly six decades of operation, C&S has evolved from a small prototype manufacturer into a globally recognized supplier of advanced machining solutions.
“While our primary focus is aerospace, we operate as a Tier 2 supplier, working predominantly with Tier 1 customers,” begins Shaun Phy, President and Integrator. “Now led by its second generation of ownership, CEO Dominick Saratore, the company has always been focused on sustainable growth. Since 2020, we have achieved approximately 30 percent year-on-year growth, driven by a commitment to expanding our capabilities, securing new opportunities, and continually strengthening our position within the industries we serve.
“Today, we offer a comprehensive range of precision machining services, including turning, milling, broaching, grinding, EDM, honing, and lapping. Much of our work supports critical aerospace applications, particularly the manufacture of hydraulic pump components used in aircraft and missile systems. We also produce fuel nozzle components for jet engines that are ultimately installed on commercial aircraft.
“Around 60 percent of our production supports military applications, with the remainder serving commercial markets,” he continues. “A significant portion of our manufacturing involves Swiss turning technology, and we take particular pride in producing highly complex, tight-tolerance components with intricate features.”
Indeed, quality and continuous improvement are central to the company’s operations. C&S maintains a comprehensive Quality Management System and holds industry-recognized certifications, including ISO 9001, AS9100, ISO 13485, and Nadcap accreditation. The organization emphasizes process standardization, waste reduction, and defect prevention to ensure consistent product quality and reliable customer outcomes. These standards have helped the company establish long-term relationships with major customers across multiple sectors.
“One of the opportunities we see in the aerospace supply chain today is that the industry is still recovering from the disruption caused by Covid. Many machining companies in the $10 million-to-$20 million revenue range are either reluctant to pursue growth or are actively looking for an exit strategy because they lack a clear succession plan. At C&S, our outlook is very different,” Shaun elaborates. “In fact, one of the messages displayed prominently throughout our facility is that we’re not for sale. Our ownership team and leadership are fully committed to growing the business for the long term.
“We see significant opportunities to expand by focusing on the areas where we deliver the greatest value. Rather than diversifying into unfamiliar markets, we are highly strategic about staying within part families and manufacturing disciplines that we know exceptionally well. By partnering closely with our customers, we’ve been able to align around those core strengths and use them as a foundation for growth.
“A key part of that strategy has been developing cell-based manufacturing around specific product lines,” he adds. “We build dedicated teams, processes, and resources around those products, which allows us to increase capacity and take on higher production volumes while maintaining the quality and precision our customers expect. This approach enables us to scale efficiently while remaining focused on the machining expertise we’ve spent decades developing.”
Over the past five-to-six years, C&S has significantly increased its investment in automation. What began with just a handful of robots has evolved into more than ten robotic systems across the business, including a fully automated production line dedicated to a specific part family and several semi-automated machining cells.
“That investment has been instrumental in helping us scale production,” Shaun shares, “particularly in the jet engine market, while improving efficiency and cost competitiveness. It has also enabled us to win back work that previously would have been difficult to compete for against overseas manufacturers.
“Alongside automation, we’ve embraced a cell-based manufacturing model. Like many machine shops, we historically operated using a traditional batch-and-queue approach. As production volumes increased, we recognized the need for a more streamlined structure. By grouping all the equipment, processes, and people required for a product family into dedicated manufacturing cells, we’ve been able to improve throughput, shorten lead times, and maintain tighter control over quality.”
Looking back on nearly 60 years in business, much of C&S’ longevity can be traced to the culture established by its founder, Joe Saratore. “From the beginning, Joe instilled a strong emphasis on discipline, accountability, lean manufacturing, and continuous improvement,” Shaun says. “Those principles remain deeply embedded in our business today. When our current CEO, Dominick, expanded into aerospace during the 1990s, that commitment to process, quality, and operational excellence became even more important.
“One value that continues to guide us is ‘Get Better Every Day’. It reflects the belief that while perfection is impossible, continuous improvement is not,” he emphasizes. “Combined with a long-term vision for growth and a willingness to invest in people, facilities, and technology, that mindset has helped us build lasting customer relationships and continue expanding the business decade after decade.”
The company’s current machining facility spans 120,000 square feet, and with floor space expected to reach 85-to-90 percent capacity soon, C&S is already planning the next phase of expansion. That includes evaluating an additional facility and determining how to replicate the success of its existing operation through new machining cells, greater automation, and the continued adoption of advanced robotics technologies.
“Technology will play a major role in our future, but so will people,” Shaun states. “As part of our expansion plans, we’re investing in training and workforce development through a dedicated training center designed to better prepare employees before they enter the production environment. We’re also enhancing our apprenticeship and co-op programs to create stronger pathways into advanced manufacturing careers and help develop the next generation of skilled talent.
“At the same time, we’re placing a significant emphasis on leadership development. Rapid growth brings new challenges, and we believe investing in our people is essential to sustaining long-term success. Today, more than 25 employees participate in monthly one-to-one executive coaching programs, helping them build the leadership skills needed to support a growing organization.
“As we continue to grow, one of our biggest priorities is scaling efficiently while maintaining the quality and delivery performance our customers expect,” he continues. “That means carefully managing capacity, investing in the right equipment, and improving visibility into operational costs, particularly as material and tooling expenses continue to evolve. We’re also focused on strengthening processes and developing our workforce to support a much larger organization than we were just a few years ago.”
Looking ahead, the company’s goal is to continue expanding both its capabilities and footprint, targeting approximately $60 million in revenue this year. “We see significant opportunities within aerospace and defense, and we’re building the infrastructure, technology, and talent needed to support that growth,” Shaun concludes. “What sets C&S apart is a clear and intentional commitment to growth. Our leadership team and CEO have a long-term vision for the business, and our customers recognize that ambition. We believe there is a path to exceeding $100 million in revenue, but achieving that requires discipline, attention to detail, and a relentless focus on execution. That’s the challenge we’re excited to take on.”
