As the product manager of PROTO Industrial Tools, Nicholas Filipone provides the aviation community with what they need to get their jobs done and done well.
“I have a great sense of pride seeing our products in the hands of those that make the world move. Whether it’s Aircraft Maintenance Technicians, Roughnecks in the drilling industry, or MRO technicians across America, end users fuel my passion for developing high quality, safe to use products,” said Filipone. “The motivation for me comes with ensuring our Mechanics Tools meet the most stringent industry specifications possible giving those technicians peace of mind that their tools will get the job done efficiently, effectively and, most importantly, safely.”
Coming out of college in 2002 with a B.S. degree in business administration, Filipone first worked for Konica Minolta Business Solutions and Gerber Technology before making his way to Stanley Black & Decker in 2012 – a year before receiving a M.S. degree from Central Connecticut State University in technology management.
“Even though I started my career at Stanley Black & Decker as a supply chain analyst, it was my passion for creativity and love of product development that brought me into my current role as global product manager for PROTO Industrial Tools. Since 2016, I’ve been managing our Mechanics Tools business for our industrial and commercial vertical markets, specializing in aerospace compliance,” Filipone describes. "The sum of my professional experiences has afforded me the opportunity to serve both internal and external customers, so paring that experience with my love for mechanics tools and product development has me in a perfect position to give our end users the high-quality products they need.”
“Over the past two years, Nick spear-headed the PROTO Aerospace Program, dedicated to keeping aviation MROs safe and Productive. This program includes 1,500 hand tool SKUs that not only meet aerospace specifications mandated by the SAE International Group of Engineers but are designed and engineered to fit into tight areas like aircraft engines. In addition, he launched over 35 kitted tool sets that help reduce the risk of foreign object debris and eliminate downtime by keeping hand tools organized and in their place,” said Christina Caladorla, brand strategist for Stanley Black & Decker, when nominating Filipone.
Filipone says that all of his training has been “trial by fire” on the job, but that hasn’t stopped him from seeing PROTO Industrial Tools win two awards.
“In 2018 we won two Pro Tool Innovations awards for products we launched in 2017. The first was our Precision90 Ratchet, which gives Aircraft Maintenance Technicians the ability to work in tight spaces and the second was from our Modular Foam Tool set program, which gives those same technicians critical tool storage and control in an environment where foreign object debris is a huge concern,” Filipone said.
And outside of the tools he provides the industry, Filipone says the biggest contribution he makes to the aviation field is by listening to what it is his buyers are looking for out of their equipment.
“In my role as a product manager I find its best to give back to the industry by listening, listening to what aircraft maintenance technicians have to say about the tools they use. What is working? What isn’t working? What can we do better? And the answers to those questions helps us continue providing world class products that exceed end users’ expectations,” Filipone said. “It’s an honor to have just a small part in an industry that transports people from one place to another and being able to help accomplish it safely is incredibly inspiring.”
