Malco Tools

Malco recognized as a MNSTAR facility and takes home Governor’s Safety Award

Malco Tools, one of the nation’s leading solution developers and manufacturers of a variety of high-quality tools for the HVAC and building construction trades, announced that it has earned two of the state’s top safety recognitions: Minnesota STAR (MNSTAR) certification from the Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MNOSHA), and the 2024 Governor’s Safety Award, awarded by the Minnesota Safety Council.

Malco’s headquarters in Annandale is one of just 36 MNSTAR-certified facilities in the state, recognized as a leading company that goes beyond basic compliance with all applicable OSHA standards to prevent job-related injuries and illnesses. Prior to earning this top recognition, Malco rigorously maintained its MNOSHA Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (MNSHARP) recognition since 2004.

The MNSTAR certification was marked by a flag-raising ceremony held at Malco’s plant in Annandale on Wednesday, Aug. 7, attended by state and local officials.

Malco hosted a ceremonial flag-raising event on Aug. 7 to celebrate its MNSTAR certification.

Additionally, as a result of its safety-first culture, Malco has earned the Governor’s Safety Award 14 times in the last 20 years. Malco was presented with the award during a ceremony in early May.

Key elements of Malco’s comprehensive health and safety program include:

• A Safety Management System based on one of the country’s highest safety programs, complete with annual safety goals that are shared across the organization
• Monthly full-company reviews of safety performance metrics
• An active and engaged Safety Committee that reviews safety procedures, completes additional safety trainings throughout the year and monitors progress
• Paid time for associates to participate in safety-related activities
• Regular safety inspections and safe work observations

“Our number one priority at Malco is keeping our 150+ associates safe,” said Chris Strand, safety and environmental manager at Malco. “We are very committed to safety, from the highest levels of the organization on down. We have always highly valued our relationship with MNOSHA, and are very proud to receive the MNSTAR recognition.”

Scott Crane, chief strategy officer at Malco, added: “It is great to be recognized with these top safety designations, as it is testament to our team’s collaborative efforts in developing successful safety and health programs that we are all very proud of and that make Malco a great place to work.”

For more information about Malco Tools, visit www.malcotools.com.

Malco Tools, one of the nation’s leading solution developers and manufacturers of a variety of high-quality tools for the HVAC trade, was recognized for excellence in product design in the 2024 Dealer Design Awards Program, sponsored by The Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration News magazine.

Malco’s sheet metal Hole Cutters with Impact Rated Cutter Bits (HC1/HC2) won the Bronze award in the Hand Tools category, selected by an independent panel of contractors.

Malco’s distinctive Gold Impact Cutter Bits quickly install into the chuck of any corded or cordless drill in just a few seconds, and unlike anything else on the market, feature a hex insert for ultimate flexibility for use on either an impact driver or a drill. When used with an impact driver, trade professionals can expect faster-than-average cutting times, which means they can get the job done faster and more efficiently than ever before.

“We are proud to bring home another Dealer Design Award that speaks to the innovative products Malco brings to HVAC pros,” said Rebecca Talbot, vice president of marketing at Malco Tools. “We specifically designed these ‘Gold Standard’ Hole Cutter Bits to be the longest-lasting, fastest-cutting, and easiest-adjusting solution for cutting holes in sheet metal to make jobs easier and more efficient for pros.”

The ACHR News is the leading trade magazine in the heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration industries. Winning entries in the Dealer Design Awards were featured in the July 29, 2024, issue of The ACHR News, which is distributed nationally to over 27,000 HVACR contractors, wholesalers and distributors, and other industry professionals.

“These awards give us a unique opportunity to recognize the outstanding research and development efforts that go into many of the products serving the HVACR industry and the awards issue gives our readers an opportunity to read about innovative installation and service solutions,” said Sarah Harding, publisher of The ACHR News.

For more information about Malco Tools, visit www.malcotools.com. To learn more about Malco’s Hole Cutters, visit www.malcotools.com/product/gold-standard-malco-hole-cutters.

Malco to provide tools to be used in championship skills-testing event, highlighting top tradespeople from across the US 

Malco Tools, one of the nation’s leading solution developers and manufacturers of a variety of high-quality tools for the HVAC trade, announced that it is partnering with the ServiceTitan Elite Trades Championship Series (ETCS) to sponsor the 2024 ServiceTitan HVAC National Championship.

During ETCS, top tradespeople from across the U.S. go head-to-head in a series of challenging and skill-testing events throughout the year, culminating in one final round of competition for the top 10 HVAC professionals and top 10 HVAC apprentices in West Palm Beach, Florida, in September 2024. Malco will provide tools for the finalists to use during the championship, where they will prove their skills in a custom-built arena by installing equipment in a short timeframe while being judged on their workmanship, proper tool usage and safety.

“We are excited to help power the exciting ServiceTitan Elite Trades Championship Series to shine a spotlight on the high-quality skills HVAC tradespeople use on the job every day,” said Rebecca Talbot, vice president of marketing for Malco Tools. “HVAC pros are incredibly skilled, and Malco is proud to support a platform that allows them to showcase their expertise in their craft.”

The ETCS program was built to celebrate the importance and incredible range of skills the people in the trades implement every day that keeps the country running. ETCS is dedicated to showcasing the incredible career opportunities in the industry, growing local and national support for all of the trades and developing new platforms that expand the awareness of the amazing stories of the men and women in the trades.

Malco is a strong supporter and advocate of careers in the trades, 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 in the U.S. to recognize high-achieving students and entire graduating classes in the HVAC/sheet metal and building construction fields. To date, Malco has reached more than 85,000 trade students through Head of the Class.

For more information about Malco Tools, visit www.malcotools.com. For more information about the ServiceTitan HVAC National Championship, visit www.hvacnationals.com.

Malco Tools, one of the nation’s leading solution developers and manufacturers of a variety of high-quality tools for the HVAC and building construction trades, has been named a 2024 Minnesota Manufacturing Award winner from the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.

For the second time since 2018, Malco has been named Manufacturer of the Year in the medium-sized business category. The awards celebrate the successes and contributions of leading manufacturers to the region’s economy.

Malco, which employs 150+ associates at its plant in Annandale, is a 100% employee-owned employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) company. Malco aims to be a destination company in central Minnesota and has made many significant positive changes to the business to achieve this goal, including setting new company core values and an internal “Look Good, Feel Good, Do Good” campaign to renovate workspaces, promote employee collaboration and wellbeing, and give back to the community.

Since its last Manufacturer of the Year award win, Malco has welcomed a new leadership team and strategic board members focused on driving measured and strategic growth, and strengthening the brand as it expands its product lines.

“Earning this recognition is such an honor, and an amazing way to celebrate the entire team’s work over the years to strengthen our internal culture, improve processes and bring in strategic experts to help guide our growth, all while maintaining our commitment to developing and manufacturing the highest quality tools for skilled trade pros,” said Rich Benninghoff, president and CEO at Malco. “We are immensely proud to once again be recognized among the leading manufacturers in the state of Minnesota who are doing fantastic work and promoting our local manufacturing industry.”

Malco is also a strong advocate for trade careers, donating significant quantities of in-kind products and apparel annually to national skilled trade education programs, competitions and events. Malco has also reached 85,000+ vocational students through its national “Head of the Class” Student Recognition Program, partnering with educators to recognize high-potential students and entire graduating classes in the trades.

Malco celebrates a safety-first culture, continuously maintaining its OSHA Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (MNSHARP) recognition since 2004, and earning the Minnesota Safety Council’s Governor’s Safety Award 13 times in the last 20 years.

Additionally, Malco is transitioning to environmentally-friendly recyclable packaging materials with significantly less plastic, reducing waste, conserving resources, and lessening its environmental impact.

Malco will be profiled in the July 19 issue of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, and more information about the award can be found here.

For more information about Malco Tools, visit www.malcotools.com.