What Skilcraft does

Skilcraft, LLC is a precision metal fabrication company founded in 1965 and headquartered in Hebron, Kentucky, operating from a 54,000+ square foot manufacturing facility with over 100 employees. The company provides complex sheet metal fabrication, precision laser cutting, Nadcap-certified TIG and spot welding, CNC machining, forming, brazing, roll forming, and mechanical assembly primarily for aerospace engine and aerostructure programs (GE Aerospace, Rolls-Royce, Unison Industries), medical device OEMs (J&J Ethicon, Norwood Medical, Tessy Medical), and adjacent verticals including space, defense, alternative energy, and power generation. Its technology stack includes a Robotic Bend Cell delivering 85% faster setups than manual forming, KEYENCE CMM computer-vision-based inspection, and Nadcap-accredited non-destructive testing with 100% fluorescent penetrant inspection on all welds.

Skilcraft runs a build-to-print contract manufacturing model under AS9100D/ISO9001:2015 and AS13100 quality systems, with revenue generated through long-term supply agreements and direct supplier relationships with major OEMs. The company is qualified as a GE Aerospace S1000 direct supplier and a Rolls-Royce SABRE direct supplier in both the UK and US, and has received multiple Supplier of the Year recognitions plus a 2023 GE Aerospace NPI Excellence award. Pricing is quote-based on project complexity, materials, and volume, with payment terms typically extending 180 days. The go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeting OEM engineering and procurement teams, supported by consultation requests through the company website.

Since 2021, Skilcraft has operated as an affiliate of O'Neal Industries (ONI), the largest family-owned network of metals service centers in the United States with estimated 2024 sales of $3.4 billion and 80+ facilities globally. The ONI relationship provides raw material sourcing leverage through affiliated suppliers UPM and TW Metals. In 2022-2023, Skilcraft invested $8.4 million to expand its Hebron facility by over 22,000 square feet, creating 14 new jobs at an average wage of $32/hour. In November 2024, Anthony Ratica was named President, and in August 2025 the company launched the Skilcraft Solutions Cell (S²C), a cross-functional engineering-fabrication-quality team targeting rapid custom solutions for complex manufacturing challenges.

Name

Skilcraft

Legal name

Skilcraft, LLC

Website

https://skilcraft.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Skilcraft is a Kentucky-based precision metal fabricator founded in 1965, serving aerospace engine OEMs (GE Aerospace, Rolls-Royce), medical device manufacturers (J&J Ethicon), and defense/space customers with Nadcap-certified laser cutting, welding, forming, and assembly from a 54,000+ square foot Hebron facility as an O'Neal Industries affiliate.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Precision Metal Fabrication

NAICS

Custom Roll Forming (332114)

SIC

Sheet Metal Work (3444)

akta.pro primary industry

Welding, Joining & Soldering Equipment (Arc, Resistance, Friction, Brazing) (IMAHADAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Metal Cutting Tools, Tooling & Workholding (Cutters, Inserts, Chucks, Fixtures) (IMAHADAB), Surface Treatment & Finishing Equipment (Coating, Plating, Deburring, Shot Blasting) (IMAHADAJ)

Keywords

• Precision metal fabrication
• Sheet metal manufacturing
• Aerospace contract manufacturing
• CNC machining services
• Welding fabrication services

Headquarters

HQ city

Burlington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Contract Metal Fabrication: Custom precision metal fabrication services for aerospace, defense, medical, and industrial customers. Revenue generated through long-term contracts with major OEM customers for sheet metal components, weldments, and assemblies. Services include NPI, manufacturing engineering, program management, and quality assurance.
2. Program Management Services: Comprehensive support throughout fabrication process including Kanban Release and Min-Max inventory programs, raw material sourcing through ONI family companies, and parts program administration.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Skilcraft provides advanced complex metal fabrication services including precision laser cutting, TIG welding, spot welding, CNC machining, robotic bend cell forming, brazing, roll forming, expanding, and mechanical assembly of aerospace-grade alloys such as stainless steel, Inconel, titanium, and aluminum. The company delivers build-to-print components, weldments, and assemblies with Nadcap-certified welding, laser cutting, and non-destructive testing, along with NPI services, manufacturing engineering, program management, and review-for-manufacturability support. Customers include major aerospace, defense, medical device, and power generation OEMs.

Product overview

Skilcraft is a complex metal fabrication company offering a unified manufacturing platform built around advanced fabrication capabilities and comprehensive engineering services. The core offerings include Advanced Manufacturing services (laser cutting, welding, machining, forming, brazing, assembly) supplemented by NPI Services, Manufacturing Engineering, Program Management, and Review for Manufacturability. The company recently launched the Skilcraft Solutions Cell (S²C) as a specialized sub-product offering rapid solutions for complex challenges. Quality assurance is integrated throughout using computer vision-based inspection systems. Materials supply (stainless steel, Inconel, titanium, aluminum) is sourced through strategic partnerships to enable complete solutions from raw material through delivered components.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Skilcraft Solutions Cell (S²C): A specialized, cross-functional team of experienced engineers, fabricators, and quality professionals dedicated to tackling complex manufacturing challenges with rapid, expert services and integrated partnerships.

Products and services

• Advanced Manufacturing Skilcraft's core manufacturing service delivering precision sheet metal fabrication across welding, laser cutting/punching, machining, forming, brazing, and mechanical assembly. Targets aerospace, defense, medical device, and power generation OEMs requiring Nadcap-certified complex metal components built to AS9100D/ISO9001:2015 quality standards.
• Skilcraft Solutions Cell (S²C) A dedicated cross-functional team of engineers, fabricators, and quality professionals providing rapid, expert services and integrated partnerships for complex manufacturing challenges. Designed for OEMs needing fast-turn engineering, prototyping, and program execution.
• New Product Introduction (NPI) Services NPI process and team managing new products into production with high quality and on-time delivery, averaging 20-30 new parts per month. Includes fabrications, machining, stamping, brazing, and tube forming capabilities for OEMs ramping new programs.
• Manufacturing Engineering On-staff manufacturing engineering expertise delivering build-to-print manufacturing, proof-of-concepts, process development, 3D printing of fixtures, and automation configuration. Supports aerospace, defense, medical device, and industrial OEMs' design and production engineering needs.
• Program Management Support End-to-end program management throughout the fabrication process, including Kanban Release and Min-Max inventory programs, raw material sourcing through ONI family companies, and parts program administration for OEM customers.
• Review for Manufacturability Services On-staff engineering expertise for design review, potential issue identification, 3D modeling, and reverse-engineering of legacy parts for modern production. Helps OEMs optimize designs for manufacturability, quality, and cost.
• Quality Assurance Quality management system using KEYENCE CMM computer vision-based measurement, InspecVision Planar 2D inspection, Inficon UL 1000 vacuum testing, metallographic examinations, and statistical process control. Supports AS9100D/ISO9001:2015 and Nadcap-certified inspection requirements.
• Laser Cutting & Punching Nadcap-certified precision laser cutting and punching service for sheet metal components in thicknesses from .020 to .250 inches and lengths up to 12 feet. Capable of processing high-temperature alloys such as Inconel and stainless steel for aerospace and industrial customers.
• TIG Welding Nadcap-certified precision TIG welding supporting OEM-specific requirements from GE, Rolls-Royce, and Pratt & Whitney. Produces corner, fillet, groove, Class F, Class B, and Class J welds for aerospace and industrial customers.
• DC Spot Welding High-tolerance DC resistance spot welding service using multiple machines meeting AWS D17.2 standards. Provides precise dimensional tolerance and high weld strength for extreme aerospace and industrial applications.
• Brazing Metal joining services including oven brazing (heated in protective atmosphere) and torch brazing (localized heating) for dissimilar metals with tight tolerance control. Used in aerospace, medical, and industrial assembly applications.
• Roll Forming & Expanding Continuous sheet metal forming that produces complex one-piece shapes plus expanding for components where inside diameter is a major consideration. Used for tube and duct fabrication across aerospace and industrial customers.
• Robotic Bend Cell Forming Computer-controlled robotic bend cell delivering rapid setup 85% faster than manual processes for small parts up to 20 x 15 inches, complemented by press brakes for larger fabrications up to 12 feet.
• Machining CNC machining service adding features to fabrications including nozzles, spacers, chamfers, counterbores, embosses, strengthening ribs, and extrusions for aerospace and industrial customers.
• Assembly Mechanical assembly services for sheet metal assemblies using ISO 9001/AS9100 processes. Works with stainless steel, Inconel, titanium, and aluminum alloys to deliver finished subassemblies to OEM customers.
• Materials Supply Raw material sourcing and supply service for stainless steel, Inconel, titanium, and aluminum in sheet stock and tubing forms, sourced through partnerships with UPM and TW Metals and integrated with O'Neal Industries' supply network.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99.99% average customer experience yield since 2015
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• UPMminorOthersMaterial supplier partnership for high-quality raw materials. UPM provides stainless steel and other alloys in both sheet stock and tubing forms for Skilcraft's fabrication operations.
• TW MetalsminorOthersMaterial supplier partnership for reliable sourcing of aerospace-grade materials. TW Metals supplies stainless steel, Inconel, titanium, and aluminum alloys for Skilcraft's precision fabrication requirements.
• Boone County Area Technology Center (ATC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development partnership creating internship opportunities at Skilcraft and employment pathways at graduation. Eight Skilcraft employees, five with 10+ years tenure, previously ATC interns.
• Ignite InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partnership introducing students to manufacturing careers through the Ignite Institute workforce programs.
• Gateway Community CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSkilcraft serves on the Gateway Community College Perkins Advisory Board to support workforce development and training programs for manufacturing careers.
• Build & Elevate Northern Kentucky (BE NKY)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership selected by BE NKY as one of their partners helping set strategy for a vibrant business environment in Northern Kentucky.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• LISI Aerospace: LISI Aerospace is a French-headquartered manufacturer of aerospace fasteners, structural components, and engineered parts serving the same engine OEM customer base. Comparable in precision parts manufacturing and Tier 1/2 supplier positioning.
• Heroux-Devtek: Heroux-Devtek is an aerospace components manufacturer focused on landing gear, fabricated structures, and precision components for engine and airframe OEMs in North America. Comparable fabrication capabilities and customer relationships.
• Senior plc: Senior plc is a UK-based precision engineering components manufacturer serving aerospace and defense OEMs with fabricated assemblies and fluid conveyance systems. Directly comparable in Tier 1/2 supplier positioning and precision fabrication focus.
• Triumph Group: Triumph Group is an aerospace structures and precision components manufacturer with significant fabrication capabilities serving engine and airframe OEMs. Comparable to Skilcraft in aerospace supplier profile, though at substantially larger scale.
• SIFCO Industries: SIFCO Industries produces forged and machined aerospace components for engine OEMs and defense customers. Comparable in precision metal components manufacturing and aerospace supply chain participation.
• Ducommun: Ducommun is an aerospace engineered products company producing structural components, large assembly fabrications, and precision sheet metal work. Directly comparable to Skilcraft in customer base and fabrication scope, including Nadcap-style aerospace certification profiles.
• Kaman Aerospace: Kaman Aerospace produces aerostructures, components, and fabricated assemblies for aerospace and defense OEMs including engine-adjacent parts. Directly comparable business profile and customer overlap potential.
• Magellan Aerospace: Magellan Aerospace manufactures precision components and assemblies for major aerospace OEMs globally. Comparable scope in fabricated assemblies, machining, and supplier-tier positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Precision Castparts Corp: Precision Castparts Corp (a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary) is a major aerospace precision metal components manufacturer. Overlaps with Skilcraft in certifications, customer base, and high-temp alloy work, but operates at vastly larger scale across hundreds of facilities.
• Howmet Aerospace: Howmet Aerospace is a large diversified aerospace castings, structures, and precision manufactured parts provider. Overlaps with Skilcraft in aluminum and high-temperature alloy components and serves overlapping customers, but at substantially larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/skilcraft

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Skilcraft