Tecre Co

What Tecre Co does

Tecre Company, Inc. is a privately held, family-owned U.S. manufacturer of button making machines, cutting equipment, and button components, headquartered in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Founded in 1990 by engineer Ben Braunberger and currently owned by Bruce and Debbie Weyer, the company designs and assembles all products domestically, sourcing steel from Midwest suppliers. Its portfolio spans entry-level manual button maker machines (starting at $275), high-volume electric button maker machines (starting at $6,850), die cutting presses, graphic punches, adjustable rotary cutters, and over 27 button sizes in multiple shapes (round, square, oval, rectangle, octagon), supported by consumables such as pinned backs, magnets, keychains, mirrors, bottle openers, and mylar covers. The technical foundation is anchored by four U.S. patents, most notably Patent #6,393,686 covering a "Third Press Operation" that produces flat-back buttons without the standard 45-degree curl angle, plus proprietary zero-scrap-loss engineering and a cam-on-roller mechanical design that minimizes required operating force.

The company operates a direct-to-consumer go-to-market model, selling through its tecre.com e-commerce storefront, toll-free phone and email order lines, and trade show presence, with lease-to-own financing offered through a partnership with Geneva Capital, LLC. Target customer segments are fragmented and prosumer/SMB-oriented: schools and booster clubs, sports teams, event planners, political campaigns, taverns and micro-breweries, promotional product distributors, and crafters/entrepreneurs launching button making micro-businesses. Tecre markets through content (a blog dating to 2014, FAQs, downloadable templates), YouTube tutorials, Facebook, Pinterest, email newsletters, and trade shows. Certifications include CPSIA compliance, California Proposition 65 compliance, and a Conflict Minerals Reporting Template. The business is small (1–10 employees), profitable in a niche, and oriented around long-tail repeat consumable revenue from a distributed installed base rather than large-enterprise contracts.

Name

Tecre Co

Legal name

Tecre Company, Inc.

Website

https://tecre.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Tecre is a family-owned U.S. manufacturer of manual and electric button making machines, cutting equipment, and button components, serving schools, event planners, political campaigns, hospitality venues, promotional product distributors, and craft entrepreneurs via direct-to-consumer e-commerce.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Button Making Equipment & Supplies

NAICS

Fastener, Button, Needle, and Pin Manufacturing (339993), Cutlery and Handtool Manufacturing (3322)

SIC

Cutlery, Handtools & General Hardware (3420), Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYIMAOALAB

Buttons & Buckles Manufacturing (Buttons/Toggles/Buckles/Slides)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Textiles, Apparel & Leather Manufacturing/Textile & Apparel Trims Manufacturing (Zippers/Buttons/Labels/Elastic)

SECONDARYCRAAAJAJ

Bag & Accessory Components/Hardware (Straps, Buckles, Zippers)

Consumer Products & Retail/Apparel, Footwear & Accessories/Accessories (Bags, Belts, Hats, Scarves, Small Leather Goods)

Keywords

• Button making machines
• Button making supplies
• Die cutting presses
• Promotional button equipment
• Button maker accessories

Headquarters

HQ city

Fond Du Lac

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Button Maker Machines: Sale of manual and electric button maker machines - the core hardware products that form the foundation of the business. Manual machines start at $275, electric machines at $6,850
2. Button Components and Supplies: Sale of button making supplies including pinned backs, magnets, keychains, mirrors, bottle openers, mylar, and various button accessories in multiple sizes and styles
3. Cutting Equipment: Sale of die cutting presses, graphic punches, and adjustable rotary cutters for cutting button graphics and working with various materials
4. Machine Accessories: Diesets, adapters, inserts, and other accessories for button machines

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Tecre Co designs, manufactures, and assembles in the USA the machines, cutters, and supplies used to produce custom pin-back buttons and related promotional items. The core product line includes manual and electric button maker machines (from $275 to $6,850+), die cutting presses, graphic punches, adjustable rotary cutters, interchangeable diesets, and a wide range of consumable button components (pinned backs, magnets, keychains, mirrors, bottle openers, mylar, medallions) offered in over 27 sizes and multiple shapes.

Product overview

Tecre Co is a manufacturer of button making equipment and supplies based in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. The product portfolio includes Manual Button Maker Machines (starting at $275) for low-volume production producing up to 200-300 buttons per hour, and Electric Button Maker Machines (starting at $6,850 without dieset) for high-volume production producing up to 1,140 buttons per hour. Supporting equipment includes Graphic Punches for individual graphic cutting, Die Cutting Presses ($595) for high-volume cutting of up to 30 sheets at once, and Adjustable Rotary Cutters for multi-size cutting. The company offers Button Making Supplies including pinned backs, magnets, mirrors, keychains, bottle openers, and various button accessories in over 27 sizes and multiple shapes (round, square, oval, rectangle, octagon). All products are manufactured and assembled in the USA.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Manual Button Maker Machine Hand-operated button making machines designed for low to medium volume production with all-metal construction, cam-on-roller design requiring minimal physical force, and a two-step button making process. Models available for various sizes from 7/8" to 6" buttons, producing 200-300 buttons per hour. Entry-level machines start at $275 (Model 875 at 7/8") with Model 225 (2-1/4") priced at $295. Targeted at schools, crafters, event planners, and small businesses.
• Electric Button Maker Machine High-volume electric button making machines capable of producing up to 1,140 buttons per hour. Features adjustable speed control, parts counter, magnetic unloader arm, foot pedal compatibility, and interchangeable diesets for multiple button sizes. Models include Model 152 and Model 1095. Starting at $6,850 without dieset. Targeted at promotional product businesses, political campaigns, and high-volume producers.
• Button Making Supplies Consumable button components and materials including pinned backs, magnets, keychains, mirrors, bottle openers, mylar covers, coasters, medallions, clock inserts, and Versa-Back buttons. Available in multiple sizes and styles, with over 27 size and shape combinations including round, square, oval, rectangle, and octagon shapes in dimensions from 7/8" to 6".
• Diesets for Electric Button Maker Machine Interchangeable diesets that allow electric button machines to produce different button sizes and shapes. Includes diesets for round, square, oval, rectangle, and octagon shapes, providing flexibility in production across the electric machine's size range.
• Graphic Punch Manual cutting tools for cutting button graphics one at a time. Available in sizes including Model 2625 (2-5/8" cut) for standard paper and Model 2225 (2-1/4" cut) for photo/paper applications. Useful for low-volume cutting of button graphics.
• Die Cutting Press High-volume cutting press capable of cutting through up to 30 sheets of paper at once. Features structural steel and industrial grade aluminum construction (58 lbs), ergonomic design, and toggle-action press. Manual version priced at $485-$595 with cutting board. Electric version available for automated operation without manual handle lowering. Targeted at high-volume button graphic preparation.
• Adjustable Rotary Cutter Portable adjustable cutter capable of cutting graphics for multiple button sizes (1", 1-1/2", 2-1/4", 3", and 3-1/2"). Ideal for small button jobs and fabric cutting, providing multi-size flexibility in a single tool.
• Button Making Kits Complete starter kits that include everything needed to begin making buttons. Typically includes a button maker machine, cutter, and essential supplies, providing an entry-point package for new customers starting a button making business or hobby.
• Bottle Opener Buttons Button-style bottle openers available in 2-1/4" round size with metal construction. Options include basic set, set with split key ring, and set with magnet. Designed as promotional products for taverns, restaurants, and micro-breweries.
• Machine Accessories Additional machine accessories including adjustable rotary cutter supplies, adapters and inserts, and die cutting press supplies (cutting dies). These support and extend the operation of Tecre's button making machines and cutting equipment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Electric machines produce up to 1,140 buttons per hour
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Badge-A-Minit: Badge-A-Minit is one of the most recognized direct competitors to Tecre, selling manual and electric button-making machines, button components, and cutting equipment to small businesses, schools, and political campaigns. It overlaps with Tecre across product, customer base, and pricing tiers, making it the most comparable peer in the category.
• PinMart: PinMart sells button-making machines, button parts, and custom-printed buttons online, targeting crafters, schools, and small businesses. It is a direct competitor with a similar e-commerce-led GTM and overlapping SKU set, making it a close comparable to Tecre.
• 1-2-3 Button: 1-2-3 Button manufactures and sells manual and electric button-making machines and button-making supplies, with a similar focus on crafters, schools, and small businesses. It competes head-to-head with Tecre on machine pricing and consumable supplies.
• AA Imports: AA Imports distributes button-making machines, parts, and supplies in North America, overlapping with Tecre's product catalog and serving similar small-business and craft customers. It is a relevant direct peer, particularly on the machine and consumable side.
• Pure Buttons: Pure Buttons is a custom button manufacturer producing finished pin-back buttons, magnets, and related promotional products for businesses and organizations. While it competes more on finished buttons than machines, it targets the same end-customer use cases as Tecre's customers.
• St. Louis Button Company: St. Louis Button Company manufactures custom pin-back buttons, magnets, and related promotional items, serving businesses, political campaigns, and organizations. It is a comparable peer at the consumable/finished-product level that Tecre's customers also serve.
• The Button Shoppe: The Button Shoppe sells custom buttons, magnets, mirrors, and keychains for events, political campaigns, and businesses. It competes with Tecre on the consumable and finished-button side, serving overlapping end customers.

Emerging players

• Imprint Plus: Imprint Plus specializes in name badges and branded button-style accessories for enterprise customers, with overlap on button/badging technology but a more enterprise-focused, tech-enabled GTM. It is a relevant adjacent player in the broader button/badge category Tecre serves.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCj-Ne3ICWr9ewZFJZrkfhsQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• Pinterestpinterest.com/tecre

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Tecre Co