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Contract Industrial Tooling (CIT) was founded in 1987 in Dayton, Ohio, as a small two-person tool shop focused on light contract manufacturing. A few years later, operations moved to Richmond, Indiana, where the company expanded into manufacturing custom steel shipping racks and containers for the automotive industry.

Today, CIT has expanded their capabilities to be a premier provider for the aerospace and defense industry as one of the top designers and providers of cabs, lift gates, racks, and returnable containers. CIT collaborates with some of the most advanced and sophisticated manufacturing brands in the world, including the United States government/DoD.

The Challenge:

In order to retain key customers and remain competitive in highly regulated and federal defense markets, CIT knew it needed to strengthen its cybersecurity framework. With early awareness of the emerging Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) requirements, CIT had been planning for compliance for several years but recognized the need for more structured guidance to reach the appropriate certification level. To continue serving existing government‑based clients and to position themselves for growth within the defense and aerospace industries, they needed to achieve a higher, verifiable standard of cybersecurity. This challenge prompted the organization to seek specialized support from Purdue MEP.

The Solution:  

Since 2022, CIT has partnered with Purdue MEP to strengthen its cybersecurity maturity and meet evolving federal requirements. Purdue MEP, along with Purdue cyberTAP, guided the organization through achieving CMMC Level 1 compliance, conducted assessments, provided targeted recommendations along with a plan of action, and supported implementation activities. Building on that foundation, Purdue MEP performed detailed gap assessments and analysis to evaluate CIT’s readiness for CMMC Level 2 and identified the actions needed to advance.

Most recently, CIT engaged Purdue MEP for additional support to close remaining gaps and move toward full compliance with the NIST SP 800‑171 standard.

The Results:

Through several rounds of grant‑supported engagements, Purdue MEP provided comprehensive cybersecurity evaluations, scorecard development, and hands‑on technical guidance and training. This approach gave the CIT a clear, actionable roadmap and expert support throughout each phase of their compliance journey.

As a result, CIT successfully achieved CMMC Level 1 compliance and they will soon meet the full requirements of the NIST SP 800‑171 standard/CMMC L2. Serving in a virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) capacity, Purdue MEP worked closely with the organization to develop required policies and procedures and implement the necessary technical and administrative controls to close many security gaps. This collaboration strengthened the CIT’s security posture and positioned them to confidently maintain and expand business within defense-related markets.

Purdue MEP continues to be available to CIT to answer ongoing questions and support the CIT team.

Impact Metrics:

• Offset $18,000 in assessment and training costs, due to funding secured by Purdue MEP
• Protected $9 million in annual customer billings due to achieving security certifications
• 300% increase in Aerospace clients sales due to acquiring new clients because of security controls
• An increase of 10 employees in order to better serve the expanded clientele
• Over $150,000 invested to serve the expanded market better
• Scorecard improvement from -80 to +4

"I cannot recommend Purdue MEP highly enough. I’ve recommended to NAVSUP [Naval Supply Systems Command supporting the U.S. Navy] in Philadelphia that any of their Indiana-based suppliers connect with Purdue MEP as a valuable resource."

- Justus Lucas, Senior Program Manager – Aerospace, CIT

 

"The consulting support we’ve received from Purdue MEP has been the most valuable and impactful service to our business. It’s been a wonderful, ongoing relationship, and I truly appreciate their consistent support."

- Mike Catey, President, CIT