Craft
Craft Pattern & Mold is a US precision prototyping and production tooling provider operating a 56,000 sq-ft facility in Montrose, MN. It serves manufacturers in aerospace, automotive, powersports, agriculture, construction, electronics, and medical sectors with integrated metal and plastic parts manufacturing.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersMontrose, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Craft does
Craft Pattern and Mold, Inc. (operating as Craft Pattern & Mold or Craft) is a US-based precision prototyping and production tooling provider operating from a single 56,000 sq-ft Product Development Center in Montrose, Minnesota. Founded circa 1996 (with the company claiming over 40 years of operating experience), the firm serves manufacturers in aerospace, automotive, powersports, agriculture, construction, electronics, and medical sectors. Its core offering is an integrated prototyping-to-production workflow covering precision metal castings (sand and investment), plastic prototypes (injection molding, CNC machining, cast urethane, fiberglass, vacuum/thermoforming), production tooling (foundry patterns, injection molds, compression and thermoforming tools), and CNC machining across 3, 4, and 5 axes.
The company's technology stack blends traditional pattern-making and foundry operations with additive manufacturing and software-led process simulation. Notable technical assets include an ExOne S-Max 3D sand printer for direct printing of sand cores and molds, EKKcapcast casting process simulation software for gating and solidification analysis, a fleet of 24 CNC mills and lathes (including multiple Haas 5-axis machining centers with travel up to 145 inches), and in-house ferrous (up to 1,250 lbs per heat) and non-ferrous (aluminum up to 600 lbs) foundry capacity with spectrometer-based alloy validation and heat treatment. The combination enables prototype lead times measured in days rather than weeks, with one source citing 1-2 week turnaround for 3D-printed molds versus 3-4 weeks for traditionally tooled parts.
Craft operates a B2B direct sales model with no resellers, distributors, or marketplace presence. Pricing is project-based and quote-driven, with customers engaging via phone, email, or website estimate forms. The company markets through trade shows (TPS, AFS Cast Expo), content marketing, organic social, webinars (including a 2016 collaboration with the American Foundry Society), and podcast appearances. It is privately held with no disclosed institutional ownership and operates exclusively within the United States. Named customers include Polaris (powersports) and several unnamed manufacturing firms referenced through testimonial quotes.
Craft firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Craft
- Legal name
- Craft Pattern and Mold, Inc.
- Website
- https://craftpattern.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Craft Pattern & Mold is a US precision prototyping and production tooling provider operating a 56,000 sq-ft facility in Montrose, MN. It serves manufacturers in aerospace, automotive, powersports, agriculture, construction, electronics, and medical sectors with integrated metal and plastic parts manufacturing.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Craft industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Precision Prototyping & Production Tooling
- NAICS
- Industrial Mold Manufacturing (333511), Machine Shops (33271)
- SIC
- General Industrial Machinery & Equipment, Nec (3569)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Custom Injection Molding & Contract Manufacturing (Job Shops/CMs) (IMANAFAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Electronics & Industrial Component 3D Printing Services (enclosures, fixtures, functional parts) (IMAAADAL), Prototype Jigs, Fixtures & Assembly Aids (Additive) (IMAAAFAE), Industrial & Machinery Injection Molded Components (Gears, Wear Parts) (IMANAFAF)
Keywords
Where Craft is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Montrose
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Craft business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Prototype Parts Manufacturing: Custom manufacturing of prototype plastic and metal parts for product development, including sand castings, investment castings, injection molded parts, CNC machined parts, cast urethane, fiberglass, and vacuum/thermoformed parts. Revenue is project-based with pricing quoted per job.
- Production Tooling: Design and manufacture of production tooling including foundry tooling, plastic injection molds, vacuum/thermoforming tools, compression molds, and fiberglass molds for various manufacturing applications.
- CNC Machining Services: Precision CNC machining services for castings, extrusions, forged and billet materials, including 3, 4 and 5-axis machining, balancing, and secondary finishing operations.
- Foundry Services: Metal casting services including ferrous and non-ferrous melting, heat treating, and casting production from their in-house foundry operations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Custom project-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Craft product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Craft Pattern & Mold manufactures precision prototype plastic and metal parts and production tooling for commercial and industrial manufacturers. Operating from a 56,000 sq-ft Product Development Center in Montrose, MN, the company integrates pattern making, foundry operations, CNC machining, 3D sand printing (ExOne S-Max), and casting simulation (EKKcapcast) to deliver prototype and low-volume parts in days rather than weeks. Customers include manufacturers in aerospace, automotive, powersports, agriculture, construction, electronics, and medical industries.
Product overview
Craft Pattern & Mold is an industry-leading manufacturer of precision prototype plastic and metal parts and production tooling for the manufacturing industry. The company operates a 56,000 sq-ft Product Development Center in Montrose, MN and has been delivering prototyping solutions for over 40 years. The core product portfolio consists of Prototype Metal Parts (including sand casting and investment casting), Prototype Plastic Parts (CNC machining, injection molding, cast urethane, fiberglass, vacuum/thermoforming), CNC Machining (3/4/5-axis), 3D Printing (ExOne S-Max sand printing), Production Tooling (foundry, injection molding, compression, thermoforming, fiberglass tooling), and Foundry Services (ferrous and non-ferrous metal casting). These offerings integrate vertically to provide turnkey solutions from concept to finished prototype parts.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Prototype Metal Parts Precision prototype metal parts machined directly from billet and bar stock, or cast using ferrous and non-ferrous materials via sand and investment casting. Targeted at manufacturers in aerospace, automotive, powersports, agriculture, construction, electronics, and medical sectors needing fast prototype delivery.
- Prototype Plastic Parts Precision plastic prototypes in all sizes using CNC machining, injection molding, cast urethane, fiberglass, and vacuum/thermoforming. Targeted at manufacturers needing rapid plastic prototype parts.
- CNC Machining Precision 3, 4, and 5-axis CNC machining services for raw stock, billet materials, cast metal alloys, and plastics. Machine travel ranges from 16 to 145 inches across a fleet of 24 CNC machines. Targeted at manufacturers needing precision-machined components.
- 3D Sand Printing Sand printing service using ExOne S-Max printer to produce sand cores and molds for foundry applications, enabling prototype castings in days rather than weeks.
- Production Tooling Prototype, low volume, and production tooling for foundry, plastic injection molding, vacuum/thermoforming, compression molding, and fiberglass manufacturing applications. Targeted at manufacturers transitioning from prototype to production.
- Foundry Services Metal casting services including ferrous induction melting (sand molds up to 1250 lbs) and non-ferrous gas melt furnaces, with in-house heat treatment capabilities. Capable of pouring ferrous castings up to 1250 lbs and aluminum castings up to 600 lbs.
- Balancing Services Single plane dynamic balancing of rotors, sheaves, pulleys, and critical parts for rotating systems, integrated into turnkey manufacturing solutions.
Quantifiable outcome
- Prototype delivery in days, not weeks
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Craft
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Craft technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Craft partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Full Throttle InteractiveminorMarketing collaboration to create video content showcasing Craft's capabilities, experience, and team dedication. Created new marketing avenue for the sales team.
- EKK (Farmington Hills, MI)coreEKK provides EKKcapcast casting process simulation software that analyzes mold flow and solidification behavior, enabling Craft to model gating/riser designs before tooling build and validate results through sectioning and radiography.
- ExOnecoreExOne manufactures the S-Max 3D sand printer used in-house at Craft for producing sand cores and molds. Enables complex geometries and accelerated prototype lead times.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Craft competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Hubs: Hubs (formerly 3D Hubs) provides an on-demand manufacturing platform connecting buyers with vetted CNC, 3D printing, injection molding, and sheet metal suppliers globally. Targets the same prototype and production buyer segments as Craft.
- Xometry: Xometry operates a digital marketplace that aggregates custom CNC, 3D printing, sheet metal, and injection molding suppliers for on-demand parts. Competes with Craft for the same prototype and low-volume manufacturing buyer in industrial markets.
- Protolabs: Protolabs provides automated on-demand prototyping and low-volume manufacturing services spanning CNC machining, injection molding, sheet metal, and industrial 3D printing. It is the most directly comparable digital-first rapid manufacturing peer to Craft's prototyping and tooling business.
- Metaltek International: Metaltek is a metalcasting and machining services company offering sand, investment, and centrifugal castings plus value-added machining. Directly comparable to Craft's foundry services and prototype castings business model.
- Dotson Iron Castings: Dotson Iron Castings produces gray iron and ductile iron castings with in-house machining, serving heavy equipment, powersports, and industrial markets. Comparable to Craft's ferrous foundry, sand casting, and machining offerings.
- Bodine Aluminum: Bodine Aluminum is a non-ferrous die casting and machining company producing aluminum cast components for automotive, industrial, and powersports OEMs. Comparable to Craft's non-ferrous casting and CNC machining capabilities.
- Fictiv: Fictiv offers a digital manufacturing platform for custom mechanical parts — CNC machining, injection molding, 3D printing, and urethane casting. Competes with Craft for the same rapid prototyping and tooling customer in industrial markets.
- Stratasys Direct Manufacturing: Stratasys Direct is the on-demand service bureau arm of Stratasys offering additive manufacturing, CNC machining, and injection molding for prototypes and production parts. Comparable to Craft across 3D-printed tooling, prototype plastic parts, and rapid manufacturing workflows.
- Thogus Products: Thogus is a custom injection molder and contract manufacturer producing plastic parts and assemblies for industrial customers. Comparable to Craft's injection molding tooling and prototype plastic parts offerings.
Broad incumbents
- Impro Industries: Impro Industries is a large global precision manufacturer offering investment castings, machined components, and tooling across automotive, aerospace, and industrial markets. Represents a much larger incumbent competing for similar prototype-to-production programs as Craft.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Craft social profiles
Digital presenceCraft financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Craft leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Craft funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Craft M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Craft
What does Craft do?
Craft Pattern & Mold manufactures precision prototype plastic and metal parts and production tooling for commercial and industrial manufacturers. Operating from a 56,000 sq-ft Product Development Center in Montrose, MN, the company integrates pattern making, foundry operations, CNC machining, 3D sand printing (ExOne S-Max), and casting simulation (EKKcapcast) to deliver prototype and low-volume parts in days rather than weeks. Customers include manufacturers in aerospace, automotive, powersports, agriculture, construction, electronics, and medical industries.
Is Craft a public or private company?
Craft is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Craft founded?
Craft was founded in 1996. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Craft based?
Craft is headquartered in Montrose, United States, in the North America region.
How does Craft make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Prototype Parts Manufacturing is the primary driver. The others are production Tooling, CNC Machining Services and foundry Services.
Who are Craft's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Hubs, Xometry, Protolabs, Metaltek International, Dotson Iron Castings, Bodine Aluminum, Fictiv, Stratasys Direct Manufacturing and Thogus Products. Impro Industries is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Craft have an API?
No public API is recorded for Craft.
What industry is Craft in?
Craft's product category is Precision Prototyping & Production Tooling. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMANAFAJ, Custom Injection Molding & Contract Manufacturing (Job Shops/CMs), with a secondary code of IMAAADAL, Electronics & Industrial Component 3D Printing Services (enclosures, fixtures, functional parts). Its NAICS code is 333511 and its SIC code is 3569.