What Nelson Engineering does

Nelson Engineering Co. is a Phoenix, Arizona-based precision manufacturer founded circa 1962-1963, employing 101-250 people from a single 30,000 square foot facility adjacent to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. The company is privately held, woman-owned, and operates with no disclosed institutional ownership, outside capital, or public revenue reporting. It is led by President John Anglin, who joined in 1997 and was promoted from Vice President in 2012.

The company manufactures build-to-print precision sheet metal and machined components for aerospace, defense, semiconductor, medical, and commercial OEMs, with a primary focus on aerospace and defense. Core capabilities include CNC machining (3, 4, and 5-axis mills; CNC lathes; mill-turn/live tooling), precision sheet metal fabrication (CNC laser cutting, CNC brakes, CNC punch, roll forming), metal spinning (acquired in-house via March 2013 acquisition of a local Phoenix metal spinning company with 6 lathes and master spinner Paul Clark), and TIG and resistance welding certified to AWS D17.1, AMS STD-2219, and NADCAP Fusion and Resistance Welding standards. The facility also operates an FAA-certified Limited Accessory, Limited Specialized Service Repair Station (certificate N4ER838N) covering over 300 part numbers, providing dent/crack repair, section fabrication, chrome plating, and welding repair services.

Revenue is generated through project-based, quote-priced custom manufacturing services and FAA repair/overhaul services. The go-to-market is relationship-driven B2B field sales targeting Fortune 500 aerospace OEMs (notably Honeywell, recognized as Honeywell's 2015 Supplier of the Year out of 1,900+ suppliers, and Orbital Sciences), supplemented by trade show presence (AeroDef, AmCon, Design 2 Part Show, Southern Arizona Procurement Fair) and an organic social presence. Quality differentiation rests on ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certification, NADCAP welding accreditation, UT-specific approvals, and reported operational metrics of 99% on-time delivery and PPM defect scores well below Honeywell's stated goals. Capability expansion has been incremental and disciplined: in-house metal spinning (2013), Haas ST-20 turning center and VF-2 SSYT 5-axis machining center (mid-2010s), inspection metrology upgrades (CC-16 comparator, Dynamatrix Insight 8106 CMM), and entry into carbon-fiber nylon 3-D printed tooling. No public revenue, no outside investors, and no recent growth disclosure are available in the data set.

Name

Nelson Engineering

Legal name

Nelson Engineering Co.

Website

https://nelsonengineering.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Nelson Engineering Co. is a Phoenix-based, woman-owned precision manufacturer of sheet metal, CNC-machined, and metal-spun components serving aerospace, defense, semiconductor, medical, and commercial OEMs since 1962.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Phoenix

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Custom Manufacturing Services: Build-to-print precision sheet metal fabrication, CNC machining, metal spinning, and welding services for aerospace, defense, and commercial customers. Revenue is project-based with custom parts manufactured to customer specifications.
2. FAA Repair & Overhaul: Certified FAA Limited Accessory, Limited Specialized Service Repair Station (N4ER838N) providing repair services for various aerospace components including dents/cracks repair, section fabrication, chrome plating, welding, and specialized repairs per customer or FAA-approved procedures.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Nelson Engineering is a precision contract manufacturer producing build-to-print sheet metal and machined components for aerospace, defense, semiconductor, medical, and commercial OEMs. The company vertically integrates metal spinning, CNC machining, certified TIG and resistance welding, and FAA-certified component repair and overhaul under a single 30,000 sq ft Phoenix facility, delivering tight-tolerance parts such as valves, heat shields, flow sensors, brackets, venturi, and scroll assemblies.

Product overview

Nelson Engineering is a precision sheet metal fabrication and CNC machining company serving aerospace, defense, semiconductor, medical, and commercial industries for over 50 years. The company operates as a single integrated manufacturing platform combining sheet metal fabrication, CNC machining, TIG/resistance welding, metal spinning, and FAA-certified repair services. Core products include precision hardware components (valves, heat shields, flow sensors, brackets) manufactured through their fabrication and machining capabilities. The company also offers FAA repair station services (certified under N4ER838N) and NADCAP-accredited welding. Key equipment includes CNC mills (3, 4, 5 axis), CNC lathes, CNC laser, CNC brakes, metal spinning lathes, and Coordinate Measuring Machines for quality inspection.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sheet Metal Fabrication Precision sheet metal fabrication services including CNC laser cutting (4KW), CNC brakes for bending and forming, CNC punch, and roll forming. Processes aluminum, stainless steels, high-temp alloys, and plastics for aerospace, defense, semiconductor, medical, and commercial OEMs.
• CNC Machining CNC machining services including 3, 4, and 5 axis vertical and horizontal high-speed mills, CNC lathes, CNC mill-turn with live tooling, and bar feed CNC lathes. Machines aluminum, stainless steels, high-temp alloys, and plastics into precision components.
• TIG and Resistance Welding Precision welding services including TIG welding of titanium, high-temp alloys, stainless steels and aluminum, plus aluminum and stainless steel spot welding and seam welding. Certified to AWS D17.1 and AMS STD-2219, and UTC Aerospace Systems PN05.15.
• Metal Spinning Metal spinning for aluminum, stainless, titanium, and high nickel alloys, including tight-tolerance spinning for aerospace and artistic applications. Integrated in-house with sheet metal and machining capabilities.
• Precision Hardware and Components Build-to-print precision hardware including sheet metal and cast valves, heat shields, flow sensors, brackets, pneumatic valve bodies, venturi, scroll assemblies, and other machined components for aerospace, defense, semiconductor, medical, and commercial OEMs.
• FAA Repair and Overhaul Services Certified FAA Repair Station (N4ER838N) providing component repair and overhaul services including dent and crack repair, section fabrication and replacement, threaded boss replacement, flange replacement, chrome plating, bore straightening, and welding per AWS D17.1, AMS STD-2219, AWS D17.2, and AMS 6858.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% on-time delivery on Honeywell report cards
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ellison MachinerycoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2015Leading CNC machine tool distributor representing Arizona and Southern Nevada providing quality machines, parts, service, and training. Ellison Machinery represents Haas Automation and has provided Nelson Engineering with new Haas technology including ST-20 CNC turning center and VF-2 SSYT machining centers. Provides free classroom training and outstanding customer service.
• Haas AutomationcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2015CNC machine tool manufacturer. Nelson Engineering has added Haas technology including Haas ST-20 CNC high-performance turning center and Haas VF-2 SSYT for 5-axis machining capabilities. Haas machines manufactured in the United States with best price-to-performance ratio in their class.
• Goss Hawk UnlimitedminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Expert warbird restorers in Casa Grande, Arizona. Nelson Engineering fabricated FM-1/F4F-4 Wildcat engine cowl replica to 1941 blueprints specifications. Goss Hawk Unlimited will perform final completion of the cowl for Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.
• 2nd Avenue ScootersminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Complete show-winning paint and restoration classic scooter and motorcycle shop in downtown Phoenix. Nelson Engineering creates custom machined and fabricated parts including custom tools, hardware, and precision repairs/modifications. 2nd Avenue Scooters donated paint and labor for Wildcat cowl tribute painting.
• BMSC (Bretta Kelly)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2012BMSC, led by Bretta Kelly (President and CEO), contracted to complete ISO9001/AS9100 Revision C certification for Nelson Engineering's quality management system.
• Top Aces USA / Advanced Training Systems International (ATSI)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1997Parent company of ATSI providing tactical aviation training and professional flight test services. ATSI operates Douglas A-4 Skyhawk aircraft for training. Nelson Engineering performed FAA repair work on ATSI's A-4 Skyhawk tailpipes including flange removal and seam weld.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Ducommun Incorporated: Publicly traded (~$700M revenue) provider of engineered products and structural components for aerospace and defense. Larger-scale tier-1 supplier with broader manufacturing capabilities across multiple sites, competing for similar aerospace OEM contracts.
• HEICO: Publicly traded (~$3B+ revenue) aerospace and electronics company operating FAA-PMA parts manufacturing and MRO segments. Competes in adjacent aerospace parts and aftermarket repair spaces with similar regulatory credentials.
• Magellan Aerospace: Publicly traded Canadian aerospace manufacturer (~$700M revenue) producing structural components, assemblies, and engine programs. Operates at significantly larger scale with similar precision metal manufacturing capabilities for aerospace customers.
• Loar Holdings: Publicly traded specialty aerospace components manufacturer with a portfolio of niche FAA-certified parts across multiple acquisitions. Operates a roll-up strategy acquiring smaller specialty aerospace suppliers similar to Nelson's profile.
• Triumph Group: Publicly traded (~$1.3B revenue) aerospace systems and components manufacturer serving commercial, business jet, and defense markets. Larger-scale competitor offering overlapping structural and mechanical component capabilities.
• Senior plc: Publicly traded UK-based (~$1B revenue) international manufacturer of precision engineered components for aerospace and industrial markets. Overlapping capabilities in fluid conveyance, structural parts, and precision machining serving similar OEMs.

Direct peers

• Precision Aviation Group (PAG): Privately held provider of aerospace MRO services, parts distribution, and precision component manufacturing. Closest private-market comparable combining FAA-certified repair operations with parts manufacturing for aerospace customers.
• Protolabs: Publicly traded on-demand digital manufacturer offering CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, and 3D printing services. Direct competitor in the rapid-prototype-to-low-volume precision manufacturing market, particularly for customers needing fast turnaround on custom parts.
• Mayville Engineering Company (MEC): Publicly traded precision contract manufacturer (~3,000+ employees) producing fabricated and machined metal components for industrial, aerospace, and power-generation markets. Direct comparison to Nelson across build-to-print metal fabrication and machining, though at significantly larger scale.
• CPI Aerostructures: Publicly traded (~$80M revenue) aerospace structural parts manufacturer producing precision-machined and assembled components for defense and commercial aerospace primes. Closest public-market comparable by size and business model.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/NelsonEngCo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nelson-engineering-co-

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nelson Engineering