In an industry where the margin for error is nonexistent, brothers Steve and Todd Phillips have built a name for themselves. That name is Nitor, which is Latin for ‘beam of light.’ Based in Southwick, Nitor Laser delivers high tech solutions using laser technology for customers in the aerospace, firearms, and medical instrumentation industries. “We create products from raw materials, and we add value to the products that our customers supply us, whether that’s laser welding or laser cutting or laser engraving,” says Todd.
Nitor Laser launched in 1996, when Todd encouraged Steve to quit his job as a history teacher and join him to start their own business. Both were too young to realize the risk, and dove in with no Plan B.
As Chief Sales Officer, Steve handles the front end of the business – sales, marketing, and customer acquisition. A large percentage of Nitor Laser’s new business comes from trade shows and word-of-mouth. Todd is the Chief Operations Operator and has a background in mechanical engineering. He worked for United Technologies prior to launching Nitor Laser. Both men are 20-plus year veterans of the 104th Fighter Wing, where Todd was a crew chief and Steve worked in munitions (AMMO). The parallel between their current business and their roles in the Guard relates to precision. “There was no room for error there. We lived by tech data – you could not deviate from the process whatsoever, because there were planes and lives at risk,” says Steve.
Nitor Laser is going through an ISO certification process now, which provides instant credibility among potential customers. With this certification (ISO 9001 &13485), “We have a stringent quality system in place, and it means that we say what we do, do what we say,” says Steve. “There is no room for error. If you mess up, you’re decertified and can no longer perform work for that company.”
“We have a stringent quality system in place, and it means that we say what we do, do what we say,”