How CDT Works Together to Serve Customers Better
Staying competitive in precision manufacturing is about more than customizing the most advanced grinding tools and cutting-edge dressing technology—it’s also about the people and processes that ensure everything runs smoothly. At Continental Diamond Tool, many departments work together to deliver exceptional products and service to our customers. In this blog, we’re highlighting the key players whose efforts behind the scenes uphold our standards of reliability and customer satisfaction.
Let’s explore how our departments—from Executive Leadership to Human Resources, Purchasing, Marketing, IT, Finance, and Administration—play a crucial role in better serving our customers.
Executive Leadership: Setting the Vision
Leadership is the compass that guides a company toward success. Our Executive Leadership team sets strategic direction, defines goals, and ensures alignment of our department initiatives with market demand. From expanding facilities for electroplating with diamonds to encouraging development of custom hybrid bonds, our leadership fosters a culture of innovation, reliability, and customer focus.
Fun Facts:
Continental Diamond Tool is a second-generation family-owned company. CDT President Nick Viggiano succeeded his father, Ray, who founded the company in 1973. Under Nick’s leadership, the company has become the fastest growing superabrasives company in North America.
Did you know CDT President Nick Viggiano and CEO Brian VanHall are neighbors? The family ties and neighborly spirit run deep in our organization.
Human Resources: Building a World-Class Team
The foundation of any successful company are people. Human Resources Director, Jenni Long, ensures we hire top talent, provide continuous training, and foster a positive workplace culture. By focusing on employee engagement and growth, HR builds a motivated, skilled team dedicated to excellence.
Fun Facts:
This month, Jenni single-handedly processed the open enrollment benefit selections for more than 180 employees. Plus, she’s conducted over 250 interviews this year.
We’re hiring! Join Jenni’s team as an HR Generalist. Click here to apply.
Purchasing: Ensuring Quality and Consistency
In precision manufacturing, quality starts with sourcing the right materials. The Purchasing department ensures our production teams have access to high-quality raw materials and supplies to meet exacting standards. Strong vendor relationships and effective inventory management keep operations efficient and cost-effective.
Fun Facts:
Inventory management is one of many functions this department handles. With more than 2,500 SKUs in our system, Dan Kortenber and Matt Sheehan ensure materials are always available to meet our customers' needs on time.
In his spare time, Matt referees both college and high school basketball.
Marketing: Connecting with Customers
Understanding customer needs is the first step to delivering outstanding service. Our Marketing team identifies trends, gathers feedback, and communicates the value of our products. From digital campaigns to trade shows, they ensure customers are informed, engaged, and confident in our expertise.
Fun Facts:
The Marketing team led by Carrie Fisher manages more than 150 projects at any given time, ensuring CDT stays innovative, engaged, and ahead of industry trends.
Did you know Marketing Generalist Stacy Viggiano is the wife of CDT President Nick Viggiano? In her role, she wears many hats, bringing her creativity, humor, and authenticity to the company’s communication initiatives.
IT: Empowering Precision with Technology
In today’s digital world, technology is integral to success. Our IT team ensures seamless communication, data security, and operational efficiency by managing robust networks and advanced software. Their work keeps CDT at the forefront of innovation, enabling precision and speed for our customers.
Fun Facts:
IT Director Jeremy Geier bridges the networks between our U.S. and U.K. facilities, enabling seamless and secure order processing and tracking between facilities.
Off the clock, Jeremy coaches the local, CDT-sponsored high school softball team in New Haven.
Finance: Driving Strategic Resource Management
The Finance team led by CFO Mike Brouwer ensures every resource decision is grounded in sound financial planning. They develop budgets, manage expenses, and forecast trends, allowing CDT to invest in resources needed for growth and innovation. Their expertise helps us maintain competitive pricing without compromising quality.
Fun Facts:
Did you know Accounting Manager Joseph Norris has been with CDT for 20 years? Joseph started as a part-time employee working with manual lathes on the shop floor. In 2014, he moved into a full-time role within the Electroplated team. In 2017, Joseph joined the Finance team and is instrumental with the many hats he wears.
Mike and Joseph both enjoy coaching sports outside of work.
Administration: Keeping TEAMS Running Smoothly
Behind every smooth operation is a team ensuring day-to-day activities run without a hitch. The Administration team provides essential support across departments, coordinating schedules, managing communications, and ensuring every detail is handled efficiently.
Fun Fact:
Amy Frecker at our front desk personally answers an average of 50 or more calls every day.
A Unified Effort for Superior Customer Service
Creating custom grinding tools for precision manufacturing applications is complex, but it’s made possible by the collaboration of diverse departments working toward a common goal: customer satisfaction. At Continental Diamond Tool, every team plays a important role in meeting and exceeding the demands of the industries we serve.
Whether it is our groundbreaking work in our grinding lab at CDT New Haven or our industry-leading processes in our 500-tank lab for electroplating with diamonds, it’s not just about what we make—it’s about how we work together to serve you better.
You’ll notice we share a love of teamwork and a spirit of camaraderie at CDT that extends beyond our workdays. Many of our team members coach or referee sports outside the office—be it basketball, softball, or other athletic programs—carrying forward the same principles of sportsmanship, collaboration, and high performance that we bring to serving our customers. These values are core to who we are, both on the shop floor and on the playing field.
Have questions about how we can help with your precision manufacturing needs? Contact us today to learn more about our commitment to excellence.