Malco Products, SBC, has announced that after 10 years, tool manufacturing has officially returned to DeWitt, Neb., with the grand opening of its new production facility. As part of the company’s expansion, Malco will be bringing jobs back to DeWitt.
During the community celebration on Friday, Oct. 19, Malco also unveiled its new Eagle Grip professional-grade locking pliers that will be manufactured in DeWitt. Tool production will begin on Monday, Oct. 22, and Eagle Grip will make its official debut at the National Hardware Show in May 2019.
Malco Products, based in Annandale, Minn., is one of the nation’s leading manufacturer of high-quality, American-made “tools of the trade” for auto body repair and refinishing professionals, HVAC professionals, exterior remodeling professionals, fence, deck and rail installation professionals. Malco is backed by nearly 70 years of history, and was recently named the 2018 Medium Manufacturer of the Year by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.
Malco Products is an employee-owned Specific Benefit Corporation, a legal designation that indicates that a specific social benefit — employee ownership, keeping jobs local and strengthening communities — is the primary driver of its business decisions.
“We are proud to re-open the plant and bring manufacturing jobs back to DeWitt, and the United States,” said Mardon Quandt, president and CEO of Malco Products. “As our company continues to expand, we were looking for an opportunity to add a new locking pliers product to our lineup and sought a location that had the infrastructure that would allow us to ramp up quickly, create jobs and make an impact on the local community. We found all of that and more in DeWitt, and are excited to once again put the skilled workers who live in and around DeWitt back to work.”
Added Randy Badman, DeWitt’s village board of trustees chairman and former VISE-GRIP plant employee of 36 years, “When VISE-GRIP packed up and moved overseas in 2008, DeWitt residents maintained hope that another company would bring manufacturing jobs back here one day. Now the town is extremely excited and we hope that our community will grow with new manufacturing jobs. We couldn’t be happier that Malco has set up shop here in DeWitt, and see it as a positive sign for our economy, not only in Nebraska, but throughout the whole country.”
For more information about Malco Products, SBC, visit www.malcoproducts.com.