We’ve had a fantastic year here at Malco! Between exciting new products, major announcements, fun events, and impactful industry partnerships, we’ve stayed busy as an active part of our community and supporting trade pros with the products and resources they need to do the job safely and efficiently.
Here’s a quick look at some of the highlights from the past year.
Aspen Pumps Group Acquisition
It’s an exciting time for our business as we look ahead to our future and the opportunities ahead, thanks to our partnership with Aspen Pumps Group, which acquired Malco Tools in October.
Aspen is a global leader in the HVAC/R industry and will allow us to expand into new markets and bring even more new, industry-leading products and solutions to our customers.
Rest assured, Malco isn’t going anywhere. We’re the same Malco you’ve come to know and trust. We’re staying in Annandale, Minnesota, which, going forward, will be known as The Malco Group – the base for Aspen Pumps Group operations in the U.S. This partnership truly is a great moment in our company’s history as it realizes the vision of the Keymer family to secure jobs and a bright future for the Malco brand.
There will be many exciting new updates to come, so stay tuned! For more information, check out the press release here.
Award-Winning Safety Culture
At Malco, safety isn’t just something we talk about – it’s an essential part of our work environment. Our philosophy and goal is to weave it into every aspect of our work, involving all our associates in the process.
This strong focus on safety has helped us earn several safety awards and recognitions over the years that we are really proud of, and this year was no exception as we were awarded the coveted Minnesota STAR (MNSTAR) designation from the Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MNOSHA). Malco is one of just 36 MNSTAR-certified facilities in the state, so this is quite an honor!
We hosted a flag-raising ceremony in August to celebrate our MNSTAR certification, with several state and local government public officials in attendance. Read more about our safety efforts here.
Inaugural First Nail Ceremony
We were proud to have one of our tools chosen for the Inaugural First Nail Ceremony for the upcoming 2025 presidential inauguration in January 2025.
The Inaugural First Nail Ceremony commemorates the start of construction of the inaugural platform, on which the 47th President and Vice President of the United States will be sworn into office.
During the ceremony, members of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies hammered a nail into a symbolic piece of wood. Minnesota State Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who serves as the committee chair, used Malco’s Claw Hammer, representing manufacturing in Minnesota. Check out the full details here.
New Product Innovations
In 2024, we launched a wide variety of new products for trade pros, including:
- Impact-Rated Hole Cutter Bits: These superior cutter bits feature a long-lasting, mill-type cutting edge and large flat for adjusting the cutting-edge location up or down to extend bit life (1-year life expectancy in 26-gauge metals). They quickly install into a corded or cordless drill in seconds – if used with an impact driver, trade pros can expect faster-than-average cutting times.
- 3/8” & 7/16” C-RHEX® Drivers: Available in both the C-RHEX® and C-RHEX® SAWTOOTH product lines, the new easy-clean hex reversible sockets in 3/8” and 7/16” sizes ensure trade pros have the right size without the need for additional tools. C-RHEX® SAWTOOTH quickly cuts through HVAC mastic and roofing sealant to remove fasteners for retrofits or equipment removals.
- Power-Assisted Seamers: No hand seamer required! Malco’s Power-Assisted Seamer is the fastest seaming machine in the market for effortless seaming of single and/or double mechanical lock standing-seam panels in one efficient operation. Available in 1.5” (FSXS) and 2” (FSXS2) models.
- Power-Assisted Cutters: These cutters are the fastest in the market, making them the perfect hand-held equipment for effortless removal of single and/or double mechanical lock standing-seam panels in one efficient operation. Available in 1.5” (FSXC) and 2” (FSXC2) models.
- Progressive Profiling Bender Set: Eliminates the need to rent two separate tools to form 1.5” male and female profiles, significantly reducing the time and hassle for the trade pro. Trade pros can create both profiles with precision and consistency, ensuring a perfect fit and a flawless finish.
- Hand Seamers: The 1-1.5” model and 2” model are designed for seaming both the first (90°) stage and second (180°) stage locks of a mechanical seam.
- C-RHEX® 7-in-1 Flip Bit Series: Featuring our popular reversible and stackable sockets with an ultra-powerful magnet for secure fastening, the 7-in-1 C-RHEX® Flip Bit is a must-have for any toolbox! Choose from three different driver head options along with six color-coded stackable hex driver sizes designed to fit sockets snugly on the driver shaft for more secure operation and storage. It is compatible with any drill or Malco’s Connext3 handle.
- Caulk Gun Line Additions: The CGC1 1/10 Gallon High Thrust Caulking Gun delivers precise and smooth material application in cold environments or while using high-viscosity materials. The CGS1 Sausage Caulking Gun Tool Kit brings versatility to large job sites with the ability to dispense bulk sausage packs or cartridges with switchable parts to convert from bulk products to sausage packs to cartridges, all with one gun.
- Long Cut AVs: Designed with long blades to promote longer and faster cuts to reduce time and fatigue on the job site, the newest AVs snip product line models include the Offset Left Long Cut AV, Offset Right Long Cut AV, and Combo Long Cut AV.
Company & Product Awards
In addition to our MNSTAR certification, we received a handful of highly coveted awards this year!
- In May, we had the great honor of being named Medium Manufacturer of the Year by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. This was our second time earning this award.
- We were excited to accept Rural Builder’s Gold Key of Excellence Award at the Post-Frame Builder Show in June.
- We earned the 2024 Governor’s Safety Award from the Minnesota Safety Council, which we’ve been recognized with 14 times in the last 20 years.
- The 7-in-1 C-RHEX Flip Bit took home a Pro Tool Innovation Award in the “Specialty Driver Bits” category.
- In June, Malco was named a Top Workplace by the Star Tribune!
- Our new sheet metal Hole Cutters with Impact Rated Cutter Bits (HC1/HC2) won a Bronze Dealer Design Award in the Hand Tools category from The Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration News magazine.
- At METALCON 2024, our Power-Assisted Seamer and Cutter earned a Top Products Award!
- We were also thrilled that our new 7-in-1 C-RHEX Flip Bit won HBSDealer’s Golden Hammer Award.
Industry Partnerships
This year, we kicked off a few new industry partnerships with leading organizations in the HVAC and building construction industries.
We’re working with the Building Talent Foundation to address the talent shortage across residential construction by investing in expanding education and job opportunities to communities across the nation, particularly in areas where there have been historical gaps.
We also sponsor two major HVAC events: the 2024 ServiceTitan HVAC National Championship, for which we provided tools, and the 2025 HVAC Tactical “Blue Collar Goes Black Tie” awards banquet in January 2025.
It’s been a fantastic year, and we can’t wait to continue building on these successes as we mark our 75th year in business in 2025—something we are excited to celebrate with you!
Cheers to a great 2024 and to what’s ahead in 2025!