CEI opened its doors January 1, 1980 in New Britain, CT. The founding officers, Ronald D. Hansen Sr. and Leonard Ceravone Jr., concentrated on fabricating stamping tools for other manufacturers. By the early 1990′s, CEI had moved to its current location in Wallingford, and had become efficient in designing, developing, and manufacturing precision metal parts to customer specification. Ronald Hansen Jr., an employee of CEI for twenty-two years, was added to the Board of Directors as President of the company in 2002. Since then, CEI has grown greatly in size and skill, expanding the current building three times, and continuously adding new technology and methods of manufacturing. “Everything you see today is JR’s doing.” praised Ronald Hansen Sr. of his son. Ronald Hansen Jr., often referred to as JR by his family, friends, and staff, is responsible for many, if not most, of the great recent improvements within the company that ensure customer satisfaction. This includes the expansion of a cutting edge Quality Control Department, certification to both the ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 13485:2003, and registration as a FDA contract manufacturer. JR is quick to credit his achievements and CEI’s growth to the help of his talented and hand selected team.

Presently, CEI is a contract manufacturing leader. Based in Wallingford, CT, CEI services companies all over the world involved in the medical, automotive, electronics, industrial, military, and aerospace industries. The company is capable of producing high precision components using methods such as precision metal stamping, CNC machining, and wire EDM. CEI also possesses the capability to design, build and repair tooling, laser engrave, fabricate tubing, reverse engineer to fabrication, and produce rapid prototypes. It has grown to be one of the most trusted and respected metal fabricators in the northeast under the leadership of Ronald Hansen Jr.

An essential component of CEI’s success is JR and his team’s attention to continuous improvement. CEI utilizes Kaizen, a system based on making constant changes to improve safety and effectiveness while eliminating waste. The Kaizen philosophy believes in habitually striving for improvement in hopes of maximizing the efficiency of the manufacturing process, even if change does not appear to be necessary. Further, Kaizen involves setting standards and then working continuously to better those standards. Building expansions in 2003 and 2005 doubled the original square footage of CEI’s facility providing more space for larger and more powerful presses, additions of new machining centers, and a state-of-the-art Quality Control Department. Recently, the addition of four new state-of-the-art Fanuc a-0iD machines increased the Wire EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining) department to a total of twelve centers in operation, allowing more efficient production times and a quality product for customers. The company’s new directive is in the pressroom where they will strive for leaner production ideas by moving machinery so that production runs as efficiently as possible.

In addition to improving CEI, Ronald Hansen Jr., is actively doing his part to improve his community. JR has been an active member of Compass Lodge #9, Freemasons of Wallingford, CT since 2003. As the oldest fraternal organization in the world, its members are dedicated to being a good citizens with good character, caring for those less fortunate, and giving back to the community. He is currently the Co-chairman of both the Annual “Two Ball Cane” Golf Outing & the Wine Tasting charity events of Compass Lodge #9 and Temple Lodge #16. These events have raised thousands of dollars to support community events, sports programs, scholarships, and provide access to the nationally acclaimed Child Identification Program (CHIP). In appreciation of his investment in time, energy and resources to support his lodge and its charitable work, JR received the Sutterlin Award in 2005 for his outstanding services, the highest award the Masonic lodge bestows. Additionally, JR has been a member of the Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce since 2002, and the Premier Partner of the Quinnipiac Chamber for 2006 and 2007. The Chamber’s mission is “to make positive things happen for business and the community at large.” JR’s involvement and investment assisted the chamber with their ability to work with legislative issues, educational programs, and economic development and service offerings. In 2006, he was awarded the Quinnipiac Chamber Star of the Year honor. JR was also a 2007 Business New Haven Rising Star.

CEI is a contract manufacturing, engineering, and development leader in the Northeast, with its world headquarters based in Wallingford, CT. CEI services companies throughout the world in the medical, automotive, electronic, industrial, military, aerospace, and other commercial industries. The company produces high precision metal components using methods such as precision metal stamping, CNC machining, Wire EDM and tubular fabrication. Founded in 1980, CEI has remained focused on customers’standards for consistent quality, on-time delivery, and customer service. By continuously investing in capital, technology, and the continuous training of its staff, CEI continues to meet its goal of being a one-stop solution. CEI operates in a 34,000 square foot facility with 102 employees. It has grown to be one of the most trusted and respected metal fabricators in the region.

During the past two years, CEI and Elks developed a working relationship in which they supported each other in several manufacturing endeavors. Given that the two companies compliment each other well, the changeover has been smooth and rewarding for both companies. Ron Hansen Jr., President and CEO of CEI, and Rick Griffin, General Manger of CEI, are overseeing the transition. They are both pleased that they can now offer the additional service of CNC turning to CEI’s current customer base, as well as offer CEI’s many services to the Elks’customer base. All of the newly acquired processes and capabilities will be fully integrated into CEI’s ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 13485:2003 registered Quality System within the next several months.

The two manufacturers are combining capabilities to complete the metal fabrication of light weight aluminum door panels. The completed door panels are for (SLRV) DART super light rail vehicles in Dallas, TX. DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) is a Dallas based public transit system that provides public transportation by train and bus throughout Dallas and twelve nearby metropolitan areas. NEW has expertise in door assembly and intricate welding to strict customer requirements. CEI has expertise in engineering, design, and fabrication of demanding customer metal stampings. In this case large forming dies shape the aluminum to the exact specifications of the customer. CEI also brings to the table an unusually large big-bed 300 ton stamping press. CEI and NEW compliment and enhance the capabilities of each company in order to manufacture a product that requires a more diverse manufacturing capability than either company has individually. This team approach vastly improves quality and accelerates the time to market schedule.

In addition, the two companies are assisting in the effort to make transportation increasingly environmentally friendly. The aluminum used to build the train cars, specifically the door panels, is lightweight and therefore requires less fuel to travel, helping to reduce energy costs. Any excess material used in the manufacturing process is collected and recycled back to the mill and used to produce additional raw materials.

N.E.W. is an architectural and precision fabricator, specializing in precision welding and custom fabrications of aluminum and stainless steel. The company’s welders are certified and are proficient at TIG and MIG welding techniques. The skilled fabricators at NEW have expertise CNC laser cutting- CNC punching- CNC forming and machining, rolling and tube-forming from prototype to production run. Additional services include design consultation and CAD drawings for architectural and manufacturing solutions. NEW’s state-of-the-art equipment and high-caliber craftsmen provide quick turnaround and superior quality on custom and highly complex design projects which turn a concept into physical beauty. NEW remains dedicated to standards of excellence and its ability to be a total service provider.

The Supply Chain Management team within the Kaman Precision Products Fuzing-Memory and Management department of Kaman Aerospace Corp. acknowledged CEI’s steady and consistent quality and on-time delivery. Kaman Aerospace Inc. bestows this recognition on the supplier who has maintained an exceptional supplier rating throughout a period of time and who is in a specific tierof annual sales. During the latest analyzed period, CEI upheld a 100% rating for product quality as well as a 100% rating for delivery performance. CEI is especially proud of this acknowledgment, as its entire team is dedicated to consistent quality, on-time delivery and customer service.

When asked about the recognition, Ron Hansen Jr., President and CEO of Component Engineers Inc., stated that he was very proud of the employees of CEI.

“Their hard work and dedication optimizes what this certificate acknowledges. All departments have worked so hard to make this company what it is today.” -Ron Hansen Jr, CEO

Kaman Aerospace Corporation is a subsidiary of Kaman Corp. (NASDAQ-KAMAN). The corporation conducts business in the aerospace, industrial distribution and music markets. Kaman Aerospace, founded in the 1940′s, is a full-service innovator and supplier specifically to the global aerospace industry. Priding itself on creativity, innovation, and leadership, the corporation produces commercial and military helicopters; aircraft structures and components; safe, arm and fuzing devices for military, mass memory systems, precision measuring devices and electro-optic systems. The parts CEI manufactures for Kaman Aerospace are used for Untied States military programs.

CEI is a contract manufacturing, engineering, and development leader in the Northeast. CEI services companies throughout the world in the medical, aerospace, automotive, electronics, industrial, military, and other commercial industries. The company produces high precision metal components using methods such as Precision Metal Stamping, CNC Machining, CNC Turning, Wire EDM and Tubular Fabrication. Founded in 1980, CEI has remained focused on customers’ standards for consistent quality, on-time delivery, and customer service. By continuously investing in capital, technology, and the continuous training of its staff, CEI continues to meet its goal of being a one-stop solution. CEI operates in a 34,000 square foot facility with over 100 employees, and with a recently acquired 11,000 square foot facility in Meriden, CT. All of CEI’s processes are ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 13485:2003 certified. The company has grown to be one of the most trusted and respected metal fabricators in the region.

For additional information on Kaman Aerospace Corp., please visit their website at http://www.KamanAero.com.