Brand Spotlight: Malco

The Malco Origin Story

The origin story of Malco Products, SBC begins in 1950 when Mark W. Keymer, a young steel supply salesman, started manufacturing and marketing a pipe crimper that he invented to use in the installation of “new” sheet metal ductwork which is utilized with forced-air heating systems.

The Malco name came from the combination of his first name and the first name of an early associate, “Mark and Al’s Company." By 1954, the first official Malco catalog was printed.

Over the next few years, Mark W. Keymer continued to add a larger selection of tools to the Malco line. In 1958, he was joined in the business by his brother-in-law Richard J. Cadge, an experienced tool, and dye maker. The addition of Rick Cadge to the team allowed for the expansion of the tool line and the introduction of new products, such as the first power-operated sheet metal shears.

By 1960, it became apparent that further expansion was needed, and Malco moved from his basement to a rented building on Minneapolis’ west side. In 1963, the ground was broken for a new building in Anoka, Minnesota, which is still the headquarters for Malco today.

Malco is known for the first-hand seamer to employ compound leverage; a time-saving hand notcher that made a V-shaped cut in one motion; and a hand-operated, snap lock punch to complete the basic sheet metal toolset. Metal duct fabrication could now be done easily at the job site and the tools were well received by contractor-installers.

Hundreds of additional specialty tools have been added to the early crimping, notching, and punching product line since then, along with hundreds more specialized hand tools; Malco is still recognized for introducing innovative tool designs and modifications to the industries it serves on a regular basis.