Metalcraft

What Metalcraft does

Metalcraft, Inc. is a Mason City, Iowa-based manufacturer of durable identification tags and labels for asset tracking, founded in 1950 and operating as a 100% employee-owned company under an Employee Stock Ownership Plan established in 2006. The company sells a broad portfolio organized around two core hardware platforms — RFID tags and barcode/UID labels — supported by proprietary Grey Trunk RFID Asset Tracking Software and a suite of engineering services. Its RFID product line is anchored by the patented Universal-series tags (Universal RFID Asset Tag, Mini, Micro, Eco-Mini, Eco-Mini Plus, MC, Hard Tag, Long Range, and Global Universal), all built around a patented inlay design that delivers reliable read ranges on metal, plastic, and wood without specialized surface variants. Specialty RFID offerings span windshield/glass tags (including Destructible and DuraDestruct security variants), plastic-surface tags, hanging tags, race-timing tags, RFID temperature sensor tags, and on-site printable SKUs validated with TSC, SATO, CSL, and Motorola hardware.

Metalcraft generates revenue primarily through hardware sales of RFID tags/labels, metal asset tags, and plastic barcode labels, complemented by subscription-style software (Grey Trunk) and professional services including custom RFID antenna design, RFID Service Bureau programming, contract converting, data management, and expedited fulfillment programs (7-day RFID Rush and 48-Hour DASH). Distribution runs through a self-service SafePrice pricing portal for budgetary quotes, an inside sales team for custom enterprise quotes, and field sales representatives for on-site consultation, with international reach delivered through integrator partners such as Radiant RFID, OGTech, JPL RFID, and GlobeRanger. Target verticals include manufacturing, healthcare, aviation/aerospace, IT, equipment rental, education, warehouse, retail, military/defense (UID/IUID compliant), and utilities — with named customers spanning Texas Pride Trailers, BallerTV, Rusty's Weigh Scales, Valley Chrome Plating, Rochester Public Schools, Massachusetts DOT, Surgere, and SEKISUI. The company is ISO 9001:2015 certified through ANAB and ITAR registered, serving as a qualified supplier into regulated defense and aerospace programs. Recent strategic emphasis has been on global frequency compatibility (FCC + EU), longer read ranges, and bundled hardware-software solutions through partnerships with XemelGo and Convergence Systems Limited (CSL).

Name

Metalcraft

Legal name

Metalcraft, Inc.

Website

https://idplate.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Metalcraft is a 75-year-old, employee-owned manufacturer in Mason City, Iowa that produces durable RFID tags, metal barcode tags, and UID/IUID labels for asset tracking across manufacturing, defense, healthcare, aviation, and logistics customers in the United States and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Mason City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. RFID Tags and Labels: Sale of RFID tags including passive, active, and semi-passive variants for metal, glass, plastic, wood surfaces and people tracking. Includes custom antenna design services and various form factors (labels, hard tags, hanging tags, key fobs)
2. Metal Asset Tags: Sale of durable metal tags including barcode tags, UID nameplates, and specialty metal tags for harsh environments with high temperature resistance and chemical resistance
3. Barcode Labels: Plastic barcode labels including polyester, polycarbonate, and polypropylene variants with various adhesive options and durability ratings
4. RFID Software (Grey Trunk): RFID asset tracking software for inventory management, real-time tracking, and operational efficiency
5. Professional Services: Services including custom RFID antenna design, RFID service bureau, data management, product design consulting, and contract converting

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

No source-backed data is available to describe the core offering.

Product overview

Metalcraft is a manufacturer of durable identification tags and labels for asset tracking, offering a broad portfolio organized around two core hardware platforms — RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags and barcode/UID labels — supported by proprietary software and a suite of engineering services. The RFID product line includes the Universal-series tags (Universal RFID Asset Tag, Universal Mini, Universal Micro, Universal Eco-Mini, Universal Eco-Mini Plus, Universal MC, Universal RFID Hard Tag, Long Range Universal, and Global Universal), each covering different sizes, read ranges, and environmental specifications but sharing a patented surface-independent inlay design that works across metal, plastic, and wood. Specialty RFID offerings include tags for glass/windshield surfaces (Destructible RFID Windshield Tags, DuraDestruct Security Tags, RFID Parking Permit Hang Tags), tags for plastic surfaces (RFID Flex Hard Tags, RFID Labels – Polymer, RFID Emergency Equipment Device Tags), tags for wood/pallet surfaces (Stick & Staple RFID Tag), tags for people (RFID Race Timing Tags, RFID Key Fobs and Credential Tags), RFID Sensors (RFID Temperature Sensor Tags), RFID Hanging Tags (Bale Tags, Hang Tags, Key Fobs), and Onsite Printable RFID Tags for on-demand printing. The barcode and UID label portfolio encompasses Metal Barcode Tags (round, foil, high-temp, Teflon-coated, UID-compliant, paint-resistant, tabbed), Plastic Barcode Labels (polyester, polycarbonate, polypropylene, metalized, cable, warehouse rack, windshield), UID Labels and Tags (digitally printed, thermal transfer, foil, 3M, Tesa). Supporting the hardware is proprietary Grey Trunk RFID Asset Tracking Software, an RFID Rush Program (7-day turnaround), a 48 Hour DASH Program, Custom RFID Antenna Design services, an RFID Service Bureau, Contract Converting, Photo Anodized 5 Point Promise quality process, Product Design Consulting, and Data Management services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Pre-flight inventory checks 400 times faster with RFID technology
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments10 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SEKISUIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSEKISUI uses Metalcraft's RFID Hang Tags combined with XemelGo's app suite for a complete 'digital transformation' manufacturing solution. Joint customer success case demonstrates integrated product and software deployment.
• Convergence Systems Limited (CSL)coreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership pairing Metalcraft's Eco-Mini Universal RFID product line with CSL readers to deliver high-performance, cost-effective long-range RFID solutions. Eco-Mini tags offer up to 25-foot read range on metal surfaces.
• XemelGocoreTechnology or IntegrationXemelGo's app suite integrates with Metalcraft's RFID Hang Tags to provide comprehensive digital transformation solutions for manufacturing operations.
• Radiant RFIDminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRadiant RFID provides complete traffic management solutions using Metalcraft's RFID tags for gated community access control.
• OGTechminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOGTech provides RFID system integration for toll collection and gated resort access using Metalcraft's windshield tags.
• JPL RFIDminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerJPL RFID uses Metalcraft's RFID tags for drill pipe tracking in oil and gas applications.
• GlobeRangerminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGlobeRanger partnered with Metalcraft to develop custom RFID tags for a large US-based distillery, surviving harsh environments with FDA-approved ink printing.
• Alliance TechminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAlliance Tech provides event management solutions using Metalcraft's RFID name badges for trade shows to capture attendee behaviors.
• EshotsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEshots partnered with Metalcraft to help military recruits discover career opportunities through RFID-enabled experiences.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Omni-ID: Manufacturer of high-performance passive RFID tags designed for industrial asset tracking, particularly on-metal and harsh-environment applications. Directly comparable on-metal RFID capabilities, industrial customer base, and rugged form factor portfolio.
• HID Global: Manufacturer of RFID tags and labels for asset tracking, access control, and identification across industrial and logistics use cases. Directly comparable to Metalcraft's Universal RFID line and key fob/credential tag business, with comparable form factors for access control and asset management.
• Alien Technology: RFID inlay and tag manufacturer offering passive UHF tags and Higgs chip-based inlays for retail, logistics, and industrial asset tracking. Comparable core technology focus on RFID inlays and tags serving similar surface and use-case requirements as Metalcraft.
• GAO RFID: Provider of RFID tags, readers, and asset tracking solutions serving manufacturing, logistics, and government customers. Directly comparable RFID hardware portfolio and broad industrial/government customer overlap with Metalcraft.
• Confidex: Specialist manufacturer of RFID tags engineered for harsh environments, metal surfaces, and industrial asset tracking. Closely comparable niche focus on durable on-metal RFID tags for industrial, automotive, and logistics customers that mirror Metalcraft's Universal-series differentiator.
• Brady Corporation: Manufacturer of industrial identification solutions including durable labels, barcode labels, and RFID tags for safety, asset tracking, and facility identification. Comparable product portfolio of barcode labels, UID-compliant tags, and on-metal RFID tags serving overlapping industrial customers.

Regional players

• TagMaster: European-headquartered supplier of RFID solutions for access control, rail, and traffic management. Comparable RFID hardware for vehicle identification, tolling, and access control use cases that overlap with Metalcraft's windshield tag and access control business.

Broad incumbents

• Avery Dennison: Global materials science company and the largest RFID inlay and smart label manufacturer. Directly comparable as a supplier of RFID inlays and pressure-sensitive labels for asset tracking; broader portfolio across packaging and branding but overlapping product overlap with Metalcraft's RFID and barcode label lines.
• Zebra Technologies: Provider of enterprise asset tracking solutions including RFID tags, barcode labels, and printing/encoding hardware. Comparable to Metalcraft's RFID label portfolio and printer partnerships (TSC, SATO), with a much broader portfolio spanning readers, printers, and location solutions.

Others

• Impinj: Supplier of UHF RFID chips and reader infrastructure that powers many third-party RFID inlays and tags, including those used in industrial asset tracking. Adjacent ecosystem participant rather than a direct tag competitor; its endpoint ICs and reader platforms integrate with Metalcraft's hardware.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/idplate

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Metalcraft