In 1944, a young engineer, Roger C. Fairchild, decided that he was ready to start his own contract manufacturing business, making millions of machined components desperately needed to support WWII. His intimate knowledge of the high speed automatic screw machines produced by the Brown & Sharpe Company of Rhode Island was a perfect complement to his natural abilities to know and serve the needs of the many firms engaged in producing the goods and armaments needed to support America in her epic struggle against a determined enemy.
Roger started his business in Southington, CT, later moving to Winsted, CT in 1946 and incorporating as Fairchild Screw Products. He provided guidance to his customers and employees alike as he directed them in designing and producing high volume machined parts that were needed by an economy that was transitioning from war production to consumer goods.
In 1953 Mr. Fairchild built a new facility to house his growing business at 10 White Street, Winsted, CT. Two years later, two hurricanes swept through the state, followed by a flood that devastated the western valleys of Connecticut. Through tireless work and unbending dedication, Fairchild’s employees were able to shovel out up to 28” of silt, mud and ruin from the factory floor, remove the equipment’s electrical motors, clean, dry and oil their components, and re-install in less than two weeks after the flood waters had receded! The company continues to operate out of 10 White Street to this very day.
The next 12 years were a period of continued expansion, growth and the addition of secondary machining operations that allowed the company to provide their customers with more complex components. In 1965, Mr. Fairchild retired as President and his son, R. Stanley Fairchild, assumed operating control of the business. In the following year, the name of the company was changed to Fairchild Precision Parts, Inc.
After Stanley’s death in 1970, Marcia Fairchild, his widow, assumed Presidency of the company with Norman F. Thompson as Vice President and General Manager. Together they ran the business successfully and continued its established pattern of growth and technological development. In 1980, Mrs. Fairchild sold the business to Mr. Thompson, who continued serving Fairchild as President until 2003, whereupon he was succeeded by his son, Jonathan Thompson.
Over the years, increased growth in sales led to the need for more space. Several additions were made to the manufacturing plant, enlarging it to just over 16,000 square feet. Newer, greater capacity machinery was added during this time as customers began demanding increasingly complex and precise parts. This led to the incorporation of CNC turning and milling equipment, which now comprises a significant portion of the company’s operations.
In late 2022, Jonathan Thompson sold the business to Leland Licciardi, an experienced aerospace manufacturing professional. As part of a planned transition toward retirement, Thompson sought an owner who would uphold Fairchild Precision Parts’ legacy of high-quality products while continuing to invest in its people and long-term stability.
Since the transition to new ownership, Fairchild Precision Parts has reached several significant milestones that underscore its commitment to excellence and continuous improvement. The company has achieved AS9100D certification, reinforcing its dedication to rigorous quality standards in aerospace manufacturing. Fairchild has also expanded its machining capabilities with the purchase of two new Citizen Swiss machines and completed a comprehensive digital transformation of its manufacturing operations through the implementation of a modern enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, strengthening visibility, efficiency, and scalability across the business.
Under Leland’s ownership, Fairchild Precision Parts is pursuing strategic growth in both its physical footprint and technological capabilities to stay ahead in an evolving manufacturing landscape. The company remains committed to delivering the highest levels of quality while consistently exceeding customer expectations through reliable, professional service.