Malco Products SBC, one of the nation’s renowned manufacturers of high-quality, American-made tools for professional use, is celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2020. Malco’s history of innovation over the years stems from a culture of continuous improvement and a commitment to producing labor-saving tools of lasting quality and performance.
In 1950, Mark Keymer, a young steel supply salesman, started Malco Products in his garage, manufacturing and marketing a pipe crimper for installing metal ductwork in heating systems. Since then, Malco has insisted on the same high-quality construction, manufacturing “tools of the trade” for professionals in the HVAC, exterior remodeling, fence, deck and rail installation and autobody repair and refinishing industries.
For the past seven decades, Malco Products SBC has focused on new product development
HVAC solutions expert
For the past seven decades, Malco has focused on new product development, responding to emerging market needs for specialized products, and continually relies on feedback from the hard-working trade pros who use the tools day in and day out. The following are just a few of the innovative products Malco has introduced over the years:
- Zip-in Screws – The lightning-fast “Zip-in” self-piercing sheet metal screw was inspired by the aggressive thread profile of a drywall screw. Introduced in the 1970s, Malco’s market-renowned Zip-in screws are faster driving, with a greater capacity for fastening heavier gauges of sheet metal than any other self-piercing type for HVAC metal duct fastening.
- TurboShear Line – The 2003 introduction of the original “TurboShear” drill attachment was a game-changer in the HVAC market. Malco manufactures 24 different TurboShear drill attachments and air tools for cutting and fabricating a broad range of building materials and sheet metals.
- Cleanable-Reversible Hex Chuck Driver (C-RHEX) – Launched in 2017, the bestselling C-RHEX chuck driver for maintenance and HVAC technicians is a dual-sided magnetic hex driver developed to be cleanable and reversible. The C-RHEX eliminates troublesome buildup of metal shavings in the hex tip with an easy clean magnet and the tested torque of the reversible hex chuck driver design is equal to one-piece drivers.
Tradition of quality and innovation
Malco’s employee owners continue the tradition of quality and innovation and distribute thousands of products to trade professionals in the U.S. and around the globe. As an employee-owned Specific Benefit Corporation, a legal designation that indicates a specific social benefit, employee ownership, keeping jobs local and strengthening communities are the primary driver of Malco’s business decisions.
Building on its mission to create jobs, in 2018, Malco celebrated a company expansion and the grand opening of its new production facility in DeWitt, Nebraska, USA where it will begin developing a new line of hand tools called the Eagle Grip.
“Head of the Class” Student Recognition Program
Malco has remained a strong supporter and advocate of careers in the trades over its history
Malco has remained a strong supporter and advocate of careers in the trades over its history – donating significant quantities of in-kind products and apparel annually to a variety of skilled trade education programs, competitions and events across the country.
Malco also coordinates the “Head of the Class” Student Recognition Program that partners with education programs across the country to recognize high-achieving students and entire graduating classes in the HVAC/sheet metal, building construction and autobody repair fields.
High quality HVAC tools manufacturer
“We're proud to celebrate this important milestone in Malco’s history,” said Malco president and COO Mardon Quandt. “We look forward to continuing a culture of innovation and promoting on-the-job safety and health for hands-on pros for the next 70 years.”
Malco Products SBC is based in Annandale, Minnesota, with operations in DeWitt, Nebraska, USA. The company is a key national manufacturer of high performance, American-made tools for the HVAC trade industry (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning).
