New Mexico Business Coalition (NMBC) has grown over the past 12 years into a formidable, outspoken advocate for pro-business public policy and increased private sector job opportunities for New Mexicans. One of the key elements of a brighter future is great businesses that provide the jobs, products and services that improve the quality of life for all New Mexicans. NMBC is glad to profile some of those businesses: This week we feature Kelly Denison and Continental Machining Company.
Continental Machining Company (CMC) is not new to doing business in New Mexico and Kelly Denison, the second generation and current owner/CEO of CMC, takes great pride in this homegrown New Mexico success story. When asked what his favorite thing to make is, Kelly replied “Machinists! I love that we help people become skilled craftsmen in the machining industry. This career is something people can take around the world. The sky is the limit in our trade.” CMC offers their employees more than just a job. They provide a Christian led, family-oriented environment, with learning opportunities and room for growth.
Founded in 1965 by Butch Yaple, and later purchased by Dave Denison (Kelly’s father), CMC started as a job shop serving Sandia National Labs using manual metal working equipment. Through the years CMC has stayed on the leading edge of technology in machine tools and now has more than 30 computer-controlled mills and lathes. Keeping current with advances in equipment technology and employing trained personnel has been key to CMC’s growth. They have grown to over 40 employees and their customer base is nationwide.
“More than 50 years later, Sandia National Labs remains one of our primary customers.” Their list of primary customers now also includes Los Alamos National Labs, Raytheon, Ball Aerospace, Honeywell, Leonardo/DRS, among others. The diversity of their clientele has grown to include the Defense, Nuclear Energy, Directed Energy, and Research & Development industries. Current owner, Kelly Denison, has plans to grow into additional industries, keep up with advances in machine tool technology and industry trends, and add automation.