For 74 years, Metalcraft, Inc. has provided reliable and customizable identification solutions for its customers. What started as a solution for labeling a Bostitch Stapler has transformed into an exceptional business that goes above and beyond our customer’s expectations. As an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) organization, our employees (member-owners) participate in company ownership by earning shares of our stock. This investment into our company directly translates into our members’ investment in customer problem solving. In a year filled with numerous challenges, our members have risen to the occasion time after time to bring cutting edge products and services to consumers across the globe.
The Evolution of Your ID Solutions
Throughout this year, we’ve introduced several innovative products that show our dedication to meeting our customers’ identification needs. When a longer read range for our Universal products was requested, we delivered. Our new Long Range Universal RFID Tag features up to a 55 ft. (16.76+ m) read range when it’s used on metal surfaces. This tag is subsurface printed on polyester, resulting in a durable tag that can stand up to abrasion, moderate solvents and acids. With its incredible read range for a passive RFID tag on metal, this new product is the perfect fit for your long-distance applications.
We’ve taken flight into the aerospace/aviation industry during the past year. From complying with safety regulations to boosting the operational efficiency of inventory checks, RFID serves as a catalyst for improvement in the aviation space. Our products in this category make sure that your safety equipment is ready for when you need it the most. From oxygen generators to life vests and emergency equipment devices, our RFID Life Vest Tags and RFID Emergency Equipment Device Tags save you time and money during the scanning of all sorts of equipment.
Metalcraft has also continued to have an impact on the retail world. Our Universal Eco-Mini and Universal Eco-Mini Plus RFID Tags are a triple threat to your asset tracking problems. With a combination of performance, price and sustainability, these on-site printable tags have been a success throughout the past year. Both of these products are an excellent choice for item-level retail tracking. Because of their patented inlay design, they feature a 25 ft. read range on metal while still being an economical option to meet your needs. The Eco-Mini works great for one-time applications while our Eco-Mini Plus is excellent for durable applications with repeated usage (including information technology uses and more).
Developing Stronger Services and Equipment for Metalcraft
Over the past year we’ve also celebrated the third year anniversary of Inlay Innovation, a custom inlay brand from Metalcraft.
Through this branch of our company, we’ve been able to design, develop and manufacture custom RFID inlays for our customers. When you have custom inlays tailored to your application, your tags will be incredibly efficient. From prototyping to contract converting services, Inlay Innovation has continued to contribute to Metalcraft’s achievements while lowering costs/lead times.
Our sister company, Grey Trunk RFID, has recently introduced a “bundle” that makes it easier than ever before to get started on a fixed asset tracking project. The EasyRFID Bundle includes RFID tags, an RFID Bluetooth reader and a one month subscription to Grey Trunk’s asset tracking software. This bundle serves as the most cost-effective and convenient way to begin managing your fixed assets.
To continue servicing our customer base, Metalcraft recently installed a new converting machine named “Titan”. With the Titan, our operators have been given a wider web capability, additional stations/spindles to work with and an improved inspection process for ensuring the quality of our products. In other words, it’s an excellent growth opportunity that will increase the production capabilities of our facility.
“It lets us run faster while inspecting parts,” said Jeremy Hildebrand, Converter for the Titan. “We can make parts and inspect them at the same time. It gives us better quality in less time.”
Community Contributions of Metalcraft
Besides our exciting new products and services, Metalcraft has continued to give back to the community in 2024. For our members’ generous donations to United Way of North Central Iowa, Metalcraft was recognized with a Champion Award. This prestigious award is given to organizations that go “above and beyond” with their contributions to the United Way of North Central Iowa. Our fundraising activities featured a variety of lunches for our members. They included a Halloween lunch, a beef sandwich lunch and a taco lunch.
During our “Balloon Pop-Up Event”, member-owners paid to pop balloons and receive the prizes that are inside of them. There was also an auction for baked goods/pies and gift baskets. With our chili/soup cook-off, our members got to compete against each other while helping to raise funds for a good cause. Some members made contributions or pledges from their paychecks as well. Overall, we raised more during our 2023 campaign during the previous year. We hope to continue exhibiting positive energy and commitment to charity causes as we go through 2024.
During the Christmas season of 2023, several people made gift donations to the Santa for Seniors program. In our United Way of North Central Iowa Coats for Kids 2024 event, we donated a total of 50 coats and 27 gloves and/or hats to children in need of clothing to keep them warm. We’re proud of our generous contribution and our members are excited to continue raising funds this year.
In addition to these events, several of our members and friends of Metalcraft participated in MS Walk 2024. MS, or Multiple sclerosis, is a disease where the central nervous system becomes damaged. Through this fundraiser, Metalcraft raised money to study/research the disease and eventually work towards a cure. Our team also celebrated Breast Cancer Awareness Month during October.
We’ve also helped to clean up the neighborhood/surrounding area as a part of an Earth Day tradition. This environmentally friendly activity furthers our goal of becoming more sustainable. This same goal is reflected in our Eco-Mini line of products. They use 40% less material than our standard Universal RFID Tags.
While investing into additional sustainability for our company, we’ve also been investing in the future. Metalcraft has hosted tours for high school and college students throughout 2023 and 2024. These tours explain how Metalcraft operates while explaining potential career opportunities that the students could pursue eventually.
The 2023-2024 year was also a time for our member-owners to find work-life balance through a variety of fun events and activities. These included a summer picnic event where our members were invited to eat, relax, socialize and celebrate a successful year. Member-owners also dressed up for Halloween to enjoy the spookiest month of the year.
Conclusion
After reflecting on the past year, we’re thankful for the opportunity to serve both our customers worldwide and the community of the Mason City, IA area. Throughout these 74 years, we’ve made far more than just barcodes and RFID tags. Through a combination of our products, services and commitment to the customer, Metalcraft has become an “all-in-one” titan in the identification solutions industry. As we continue to expand and create ground-breaking asset tags, we can’t wait to see what the future has in store.
