Southwick – The Microcut USA cutting tools are small – as its name suggests – measured in thousandths of thumbs.
But the survival of the company means a lot for its five employees, as well as its customers on the plane, medical devices, firearms and other industries – and companies that really make the tools it sells, including a manufacturer in Bloomfield, Connecticut.
In Southwick, microcut workers choose control and label controls and tools. It is a complex work for a company with 7,000 SKU-that is to say 7,000 distinct products.
But Microcut has almost disappeared, said its president, Jeff Dunlop.
Dunlop, who lives in Westfield, bought Microcut in 2023 and moved him to Southwick last summer. He was traveling a lot to work in other industries and wanted to be more at home and, as a owner, enjoy more independence.
Audrey Gordner is one of the five employees of Microcut USA. She is working on drilling bits to be sent through the country. Microcut USA manufactures and distributes cutting tools used for machining in medical, automobile and aerospace industries, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (Douglas Hook / The Republican)Hook Douglas
In Plymouth, it was a family business founded in 2001. But the older generation wanted to retire and the young generation wanted to move to other efforts.
Dunlop said he had already seen this question of uncertain transitions in manufacturing technology companies, including in other places where he has worked.
In the worst cases, the family who owns the company sells either to a large player belonging to investors in industry or investment capital. Operations are retreated with other companies and offices of the buyer, factories and warehouses are closed.
“It would have happened here,” he said. “I could have seen that it happens here.”
Resident of Westfield and President of Microcut USA Jeff Dunlop in its Southwick distribution center. Microcut USA manufactures and distributes cutting tools used for machining in medical, automobile and aerospace industries, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (Douglas Hook / The Republican)Hook Douglas
The average lifespan of a family business is 24 years, according to Familybusinesscenter.com.
About 40% of American family businesses go to a second generation of owners. About 13% is successfully transmitted to a third generation, while 3% survive a fourth or beyond.
Dunlop financed the purchase of the company with the help of Berkshire Bank and its national direct SBA loan division, 44 Business Capital.
“Under the direction of Jeff, it was almost instantly profitable,” said Keith Nesbitt, main vice-president and team leader in Berkshire. “Jeff applied its expertise with logistics technology, inventory management and technological platforms of the company, which were previously very ineffective.”
Dunlop said he could have joined the company’s website into his order and inventory system so that customers know the availability tools they want or need.
His Southwick employees pack and label the tools. An employee who was in the company in Plymouth continues to work remotely. Dunlop said he was all the sales force for the moment.
He hopes to add sales staff.
In addition to being near Dunlop’s house, Southwick is close to distributors and customers. Dunlop said he would be on the big e this week for the East manufacturing technology series, a convention and a show ESTECTED EST.
The event attracts manufacturers from across the country.