Eric Hagopian, the CEO of Pilot Precision Products, has a rich history with the National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA). A third-generation member, Eric became an active member after seeing the value his grandfather and father gained from the organization at both the local and national levels.
We chatted with Eric Hagopian from Pilot Precision Products to highlight his journey in business leadership and the significant value gained from NTMA membership.
Pilot Precision Products: A Premier “Tooling Concierge”
Pilot Precision Products offers best-in-class brands, fast delivery, and above-and-beyond customer service. As the parent company of duMont Minute Man and Hassay Savage, the business combines innovation, technology, and craftsmanship to help customers solve their unique metalworking challenges.
The Pilot Precision Products team strategically recommends the right tooling to accommodate customers’ complex applications, offering cutting-edge tools to serve the following purposes:
- Broaching
- Holemaking
- Turning
- Milling
In 2022, Pilot Precision Products became the exclusive U.S. master importer of carbide cutting tools manufactured by Portugal-based manufacturing Palbit. As a result of this partnership, Pilot imports and distributes Palbit’s tooling throughout the U.S.
Three Generations of NTMA Membership
For the Hagopian family, NTMA membership is a family affair.
A.J. Hagopian was one of our first members, starting his NTMA journey in 1945. His business, Hoppe Technologies, still operates today in Chicopee, MA. A.J. and his son were both active NTMA members until they retired.
Eric became involved in NTMA when he joined the family business in 1990. He even continued his membership after selling the company and transitioning to his next venture in 2011, when he became involved in the inception of MachineMetrics. (In fact, Eric is responsible for MachineMetrics’ engagement with NTMA, a valuable partnership that has stood the test of time!)
Through the acquisition of the duMont company and Hassay Savage, Eric combined these two companies to form Pilot Precision Products in 2019. Very shortly after that, the business became involved with NTMA.
Navigating the Industry from Day 1 to Day 10,000
Like many business owners in our field, Eric learned about the industry from his father, and he joined (and eventually took over) the company. While this transfer of knowledge was incredibly valuable in the early years of Eric’s career, he found it particularly helpful to see how other shops were operating. He leaned into NTMA early on in his career to learn more about the world outside Hoppe Technologies.
“That’s one of the things that folks struggle with the most in small business – they don’t look up and look out. They’re always looking within, trying to figure out how to keep the lights on and the ship afloat. They don’t always find the time to gather information from others,” Eric explains. “That’s what NTMA is best suited for – having like and dissimilar companies collaborate, sharing best practices, and teaching one another.”
Decades later, Eric still gains value from attending NTMA events, leaning into his local and national manufacturing network, and hearing firsthand accounts from other members.
Engagement at a National and Local Scale
National-level events such as our annual ENGAGE conference, political advocacy, and the NTMA Connect platform benefit our members in countless ways. However, some of Eric’s most rewarding experiences have come from his involvement in his local manufacturing community – namely, his 23-year position on the board of NTMA’s Western Massachusetts chapter.
“Even though the issues are similar, they’re different locally than they are nationally.” Eric says, “For example, somebody in Wichita will have different circumstances than we will in Deerfield, Massachusetts. So, it’s really important to collaborate on a local basis as well.”
Even as a seasoned business leader today, he finds immense value in engaging with peers through industry roundtables organized by NTMA. At these events, members can confidentially share the pain points they’ve experienced and discuss everything from pricing to business legislation. Eric elaborates, “It’s powerful to have that opportunity to find out what other people are thinking about very sensitive subjects that you would not otherwise be able to discuss with your neighbor, family, or friend.”
Involvement with NTMA’s Newest Affinity Partner
Eric has served the NTMA community in many capacities, and most recently, he partnered with NTMA president Roger Atkins on our most recent Affinity Partnership – an exclusive discount program with PTSolutions. Thanks to Eric’s vast knowledge of industrial distribution, the pair turned over every stone to find the right partner that could best meet our members’ needs.
Eric tells us that “the huge advantage of these affinity partners is that they provide the things you need to buy to run your business every day, like cutting tools or MRO supplies. Members can save money every time they cut a PO, and they can only get these discounts through NTMA.”
NTMA Connects Manufacturers from Coast to Coast
Eric concludes, “The ability to interface with your fellow metalworking experts across the country is really fantastic.” Whether they’re a brand-new shop owner based in California or a seasoned business leader in the Northeast, NTMA members gain value in building peer-to-peer connections.
Are you interested in getting involved with your industry peers? Become a member of the National Tooling & Machining Association today!
