Built to Last — The Metalcraft Legacy Series

Metalcraft
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Built to Last — The Metalcraft Legacy Series is a four-part podcast featuring current and former Metalcraft CEOs sharing stories about the company’s history, leadership, innovation, ownership culture, and growth over the decades. From a small Midwestern manufacturer to an industry leader in identification and RFID solutions, the series captures the people, values, and moments that helped shape Metalcraft’s 75-year legacy. 

Episodes

  1. Jul 14

    Built to Last | Episode 4: Growing in to the New Building

    In the final episode of Built to Last – The Metalcraft Legacy Series, former CEO Steve Doerfler joins current CEO Kyle Bermel to reflect on the leadership, innovation, and long-term vision that continue to shape Metalcraft's future. From building a culture of continuous improvement and investing in employee development to expanding RFID capabilities, launching ARK Business Systems and Inlay Innovation, and planning for leadership succession, Steve and Kyle discuss the decisions that position Metalcraft for its next 75 years. As the series concludes, Steve shares what he's most proud of after more than four decades with the company and why he believes the true measure of leadership is leaving an organization stronger than you found it. More than a conversation about one career, Building the Future is a reflection on leadership, legacy, and the responsibility of preparing the next generation to succeed. Built to Last – The Metalcraft Legacy Series is a four-part podcast celebrating Metalcraft's 75-year history. Through conversations with former and current company leaders, the series captures the stories, leadership lessons, innovations, and defining moments that have shaped Metalcraft since 1948—and the vision that will carry it into the future. Learn more about Metalcraft: https://www.idplate.com Follow Metalcraft:  Website: https://www.idplate.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/metalcraft-inc/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetalcraftInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/metalcraftinc#BuiltToLast #Metalcraft #Leadership #Manufacturing #EmployeeOwnership #Innovation #RFID

    Built to Last | Episode 4: Growing in to the New Building

  2. Jun 29

    Built to Last | Episode 3: Taking Ownership

    In Episode 3 of Built to Last – The Metalcraft Legacy Series, former CEOs Doug Peterson and Steve Doerfler share the story of one of the most defining chapters in Metalcraft's history. From purchasing the company in 2006 and expanding employee ownership through an ESOP to investing in RFID technology, surviving the devastating 2008 flood, and leading through the Great Recession, this episode explores the decisions that shaped Metalcraft's future. Doug and Steve reflect on the risks they took, the challenges they faced, and the leadership principles that guided them through periods of uncertainty. Along the way, they discuss strategic planning, succession, and the importance of building a company that would remain independent, innovative, and employee owned for generations to come. More than a story about business, Taking Ownership is a conversation about leadership, resilience, and the responsibility of leaving an organization stronger than you found it. Built to Last – The Metalcraft Legacy Series is a four-part podcast celebrating Metalcraft's 75-year history. Through conversations with former and current company leaders, the series captures the stories, leadership lessons, innovations, and defining moments that have shaped Metalcraft since 1948—and the vision that will carry it into the future. Learn more about Metalcraft: https://www.idplate.com Follow Metalcraft:  Website: https://www.idplate.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/metalcraft-inc/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetalcraftInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/metalcraftinc#BuiltToLast #Metalcraft #Leadership #Manufacturing #EmployeeOwnership #Innovation #RFID

    Built to Last | Episode 3: Taking Ownership

  3. Jun 12

    Built to Last | Episode 2: The Pivotal Years

    Episode 2 of Built to Last explores the pivotal years that helped shape Metalcraft's future during the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s. Former CEOs Wally Smeby and Doug Peterson join Steve Doerfler to discuss leadership transitions, the emergence of barcode technology, the company's first computer systems, ownership changes, strategic planning, and the innovations that helped drive Metalcraft's growth. The conversation covers leadership changes, Metalcraft's transition from paper systems to computers, the emergence of barcode technology, the 1993 ownership buyout, catalog marketing, strategic planning, digital printing innovation, and the early development of RFID technology. Along the way, Wally and Doug share firsthand stories about the challenges, opportunities, and decisions that helped shape the future of Metalcraft. From a laser engraving system that literally blew up during testing to the ownership philosophy that kept Metalcraft private and locally led, this episode captures a remarkable period in company history. Built to Last – The Metalcraft Legacy Series is a four-part podcast celebrating Metalcraft's 75-year history. Through conversations with former and current company leaders, the series captures the stories, leadership lessons, innovations, and defining moments that have shaped Metalcraft since 1948—and the vision that will carry it into the future. Learn more about Metalcraft: https://www.idplate.com Follow Metalcraft:  Website: https://www.idplate.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/metalcraft-inc/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetalcraftInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/metalcraftinc#BuiltToLast #Metalcraft #Leadership #Manufacturing #EmployeeOwnership #Innovation #RFID

    Built to Last | Episode 2: The Pivotal Years

  4. May 21

    Built to Last Episode 1: The Early Years

    Episode 1 of Built to Last features former CEO Wally Smeby reflecting on the early years of Metalcraft and his remarkable career with the company spanning more than six decades. Hosted by former CEO Steve Doerfler, the conversation begins with Wally joining Metalcraft in 1959 as Assistant Controller, when the company had just 20 employees and approximately $300,000 in annual sales. Throughout the episode, Wally shares stories about Metalcraft’s early growth, the company’s culture of ownership, and the leadership philosophy that helped shape the organization over the years. He also discusses some of Metalcraft’s earliest manufacturing innovations, including custom production systems, adhesive development, and products that helped fuel company growth during the 1960s and 1970s. The conversation offers a unique look at the people, challenges, leadership lessons, and innovative thinking that helped build Metalcraft into the company it is today. Built to Last – The Metalcraft Legacy Series is a four-part podcast celebrating Metalcraft's 75-year history. Through conversations with former and current company leaders, the series captures the stories, leadership lessons, innovations, and defining moments that have shaped Metalcraft since 1948—and the vision that will carry it into the future. Learn more about Metalcraft: https://www.idplate.com Follow Metalcraft:  Website: https://www.idplate.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/metalcraft-inc/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetalcraftInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/metalcraftinc#BuiltToLast #Metalcraft #Leadership #Manufacturing #EmployeeOwnership #Innovation #RFID

    Built to Last Episode 1: The Early Years
  • 4 Episodes

About

Built to Last — The Metalcraft Legacy Series is a four-part podcast featuring current and former Metalcraft CEOs sharing stories about the company’s history, leadership, innovation, ownership culture, and growth over the decades. From a small Midwestern manufacturer to an industry leader in identification and RFID solutions, the series captures the people, values, and moments that helped shape Metalcraft’s 75-year legacy. 

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