Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Precision CNC Machining Services for Aerospace & Defense OEMs
Southern Machine Works has been a trusted provider of precision machining solutions since 1964, serving aerospace, defense, and commercial OEMs nationwide. Our legacy of excellence began with Frank Burch Sr.'s acquisition in 1974 and continues today under Frank Burch II, who has dedicated nearly 25 years to refining our processes. We specialize in AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015-certified CNC machining, offering 5-axis milling, turning, welding, and fabrication services with strict adherence to ITAR and DFARS compliance. Our 25,000 sq-ft facility houses state-of-the-art Mazak equipment, supported by a seasoned team with an average tenure of 7.5 years, ensuring consistent quality and technical expertise. We prioritize lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement, maintaining full redundancy in critical machinery to guarantee uninterrupted production schedules.Our value-added services include design-for-manufacturing consulting, heat treating coordination, and inventory control solutions tailored to JIT and Kanban supply chain requirements. With over 55 years of combined leadership experience, we deliver precision-engineered components that meet exact specifications while maintaining NIST-traceable quality standards. Our conservative business approach has sustained growth through economic cycles, enabling us to invest in cutting-edge technology and workforce development. We protect customer data through advanced IT infrastructure and rigorous privacy protocols, particularly in sensitive defense and aerospace applications. As a certified HubZone small business, we remain committed to being an indispensable partner in your manufacturing supply chain.
Services
CNC Machining
5-Axis Milling
Turning
Welding
Fabrication
Assembly
Prototyping
DFM Consulting
Heat Treating
Finishing
Details
- Year established: 1964
Highlights and features
- 55+ years of combined leadership experience in contract machining
- AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturing processes
- Full redundancy in milling and turning equipment ensures production continuity
- NIST-traceable quality measurement systems with calibrated equipment
- ITAR-registered with DFARS-compliant supply chain oversight
Associations and certifications
- AS9100D
- ISO 9001:2015
What people say
Outstanding supplier
High-quality parts
Reliable delivery
Preferred provider
Seasoned contract manufacturer
Services
CNC Machining
Our AS9100D-certified CNC machining services produce complex components with tight tolerances for aerospace and defense applications. Using Mazak HMC/VMC centers and 5-axis capabilities, we handle prismatic parts up to 88" x 25" x 30" and cylindrical components up to 20" diameter. Our standardized equipment platforms ensure process continuity with full redundancy to prevent production delays.
5-Axis Milling
Advanced 5-axis milling capabilities enable production of complex geometries from titanium, aluminum, and high-strength alloys. Our Mazak machining centers with tombstone setups maximize throughput while maintaining NIST-traceable quality standards. CAD/CAM integration ensures faithful replication of customer engineering drawings with automated tooling systems reducing setup times.
Turning Services
CNC turning operations handle components up to 20" diameter with capabilities including threading, grooving, and complex contouring. Our Mazak lathe fleet maintains strict dimensional control for both prototype and production runs. Machine redundancy ensures uninterrupted delivery schedules while maintaining ITAR-compliant documentation for defense applications.
Design for Manufacturing
Our DFM consulting leverages 55+ years of machining experience to optimize part designs for cost efficiency. We identify opportunities for tooling reduction, material savings, and faster production cycles while maintaining quality standards. This collaborative approach with OEM design teams typically reduces component costs by 15-25% across prototyping and production phases.
Welding & Fabrication
AWS-certified welders perform SMAW, MIG, and TIG welding on carbon steel, stainless, and aluminum components. Our fabrication capabilities handle both one-off prototypes and production assemblies with precision tolerances. Brazing and silver brazing services complement structural fabrication work for defense and aerospace applications requiring specialized material joining techniques.
People
Frank Burch II
President
With nearly 25 years of involvement in the company, Frank Burch II leads Southern Machine Works with a focus on modernizing operations while maintaining its founding principles. His leadership emphasizes continuous improvement in manufacturing processes and quality systems.
Questions
What industries does Southern Machine Works serve?
We specialize in aerospace, defense, and weapons manufacturing while also supporting commercial OEMs across various industries with precision machining requirements.
What certifications does SMW hold?
We maintain AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015 quality certifications, ITAR registration, and operate as a certified HubZone small business with 07 FFL licensing.
What materials can you machine?
Our capabilities include carbon steels, stainless steel, tool steels, aluminum, titanium, bronze, brass, and select plastics with specialized tooling and machining parameters.
Do you handle prototyping projects?
Yes, we welcome prototype and short-run production jobs, offering DFM consulting to optimize designs for manufacturability during the development phase.
How do you ensure quality control?
We implement NIST-traceable measurement systems, regular equipment calibration, and maintain ITAR-compliant documentation processes with supply chain oversight for secondary operations.
What finishing processes do you support?
Our supply chain partners provide black oxide, anodizing, cerakoting, powder coating, and plating services with full compliance to aerospace and defense specifications.
