Metalphoto
Metalphoto supplies photosensitive anodized aluminum materials and processing systems for durable nameplates, labels, VIN tags, and control panels used by defense, aerospace, transportation, marine, energy, and heavy-equipment customers requiring long-life identification.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1946
- HeadquartersCleveland, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Metalphoto does
Metalphoto is a private Cleveland-based durable identification materials business manufactured by Horizons Imaging Systems Group, a division of Horizons Inc., which was founded in 1946. The company supplies photosensitive anodized aluminum used to make nameplates, labels, VIN tags, barcode/QR labels, equipment plates, procedure and maintenance identification, and operator control panels for defense and government, aerospace, transportation, marine, energy, and heavy-equipment customers.
Its core product is Metalphoto photosensitive anodized aluminum, developed in 1950. The technology uses a silver-halide photographic imaging process in which the image is sealed inside the anodized aluminum layer, enabling high-resolution graphics and variable information such as serialized data, barcodes, QR codes, micro-text, and watermarks. The product portfolio includes standard and higher-temperature variants, with cited use cases requiring resistance to weather, abrasion, salt spray, chemicals, and heat.
The business model is sales-led and industrial-channel oriented. Revenue comes from sales of photosensitive anodized aluminum material, on-site processing systems for high-volume customers that want to produce Metalphoto at their own facilities, and a worldwide network of approved suppliers and certified converters that manufacture and distribute Metalphoto-based products. Pricing is quote-based, with sample requests and purchase inquiries handled through the website rather than public price tiers.
Metalphoto firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Metalphoto
- Legal name
- Horizons Inc.
- Website
- https://metalphoto.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1946
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Metalphoto supplies photosensitive anodized aluminum materials and processing systems for durable nameplates, labels, VIN tags, and control panels used by defense, aerospace, transportation, marine, energy, and heavy-equipment customers requiring long-life identification.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Metalphoto industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Identification Materials
- NAICS
- Electroplating, Plating, Polishing, Anodizing, and Coloring (332813)
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Products (3490)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Aluminum Fabrication & Finishing (Machining, Anodizing, Coating) (IMAKACAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Aluminum Value-Added Components (Automotive, Aerospace, Packaging, Building Systems) (IMAKACAM)
Keywords
Where Metalphoto is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cleveland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Metalphoto business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Photosensitive Anodized Aluminum Material Sales: Sale of Metalphoto photosensitive anodized aluminum materials - the core product used to manufacture durable nameplates, labels, and control panels. Available in thicknesses from 0.003 inch foils to 0.125 inch thick plates.
- On-Site Processing Systems: Sale of processing systems that allow customers to produce Metalphoto at their own facilities where and when needed, based on volume requirements.
- Certified Converter Network: Global network of approved suppliers and certified converters who manufacture and distribute Metalphoto products to end customers.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Metalphoto product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Metalphoto manufactures photosensitive anodized aluminum material used to produce extremely durable, ultra high-resolution nameplates, labels, and control panels. The archival silver-halide image is sealed inside the anodized aluminum, providing resistance to UV, abrasion, salt spray, chemicals, and temperatures up to 1,000°F, while supporting variable data such as barcodes, QR codes, and serialized identifiers at production scale. The company sells raw material, finished identification products, and on-site processing systems through a global certified converter network.
Product overview
Metalphoto is a materials technology company specializing in photosensitive anodized aluminum for permanent identification. The core product is Metalphoto® photosensitive anodized aluminum, a silver-halide based imaging technology developed in 1950 that seals images inside anodized aluminum for unmatched durability. The product portfolio includes variants such as Standard Metalphoto (readable up to 500°F) and Image Intensified Metalphoto (readable up to 800°F, with XHT treatment available up to 1,000°F). Applications span Component Identification/Barcode Labels, Equipment Nameplates, Procedure/Maintenance Identification, and Operator Control Panels. The company also offers the Intelligent Metalphoto VIN Tag for transportation applications, along with CSC Safety Approval Plates and ISO 6346/BIC intermodal shipping container nameplates. Optional security printing features (micro-text, watermarks) provide anti-counterfeit protection. Metalphoto serves defense, aerospace, transportation, marine, energy, and heavy equipment industries. The company is manufactured by Horizons Imaging Systems Group, founded in 1946 and headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Metalphoto Photosensitive Anodized Aluminum Photosensitive anodized aluminum material used to manufacture durable, ultra high-resolution nameplates, labels, and control panels with variable data such as barcodes, QR codes, and serialized identifiers at production scale. The archival image is sealed inside the anodized aluminum, providing resistance to sunlight, saltwater, high-temperature, and harsh chemical environments.
- Intelligent Metalphoto VIN Tag Durable vehicle identification tag that replaces traditional etched steel plates, featuring optional machine-readable barcodes and QR codes for asset tracking, maintenance history linking, and aftermarket parts integration. Designed as a 20-year tag to last the life of trailers and commercial vehicles.
- On-Site Processing Systems Processing systems that allow high-volume customers to produce Metalphoto at their own facilities where and when needed, based on volume requirements. Sold to enterprises with sufficient scale to justify in-house production.
- Standard Metalphoto Standard variant of Metalphoto photosensitive anodized aluminum, readable up to 500°F, suitable for most industrial and outdoor applications requiring durable identification.
- Image Intensified Metalphoto Enhanced variant of Metalphoto photosensitive anodized aluminum, readable up to 800°F and designed for high-temperature environments. Available with Extra High Temperature (XHT) treatment for heat resistance up to 1,000°F.
- CSC Safety Approval Plates Container Safety Convention (CSC) safety approval plates for shipping containers, meeting international maritime identification requirements.
- ISO 6346/BIC Intermodal Shipping Container Nameplates Durable nameplates for intermodal shipping containers meeting ISO 6346/BIC international standards for container identification.
- Metalphoto Certified Converter Program Global certified converter program where approved partners stock materials and manufacture Metalphoto-based identification products for end customers worldwide.
Companies that use Metalphoto
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Metalphoto technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Metalphoto partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators6 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Metalphoto competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- 3M: 3M is a diversified manufacturer with a large Industrial Adhesives & Tapes division producing durable identification labels, nameplates, and reflective markings for industrial and aerospace customers. Comparable as a broad incumbent offering overlapping durable identification products within a much larger portfolio.
- CCL Industries: CCL Industries is the world's largest specialty label company, with operations spanning healthcare, consumer, industrial, and aerospace identification through its CCL Design/Industrial divisions. Comparable as a broad incumbent in durable identification with capabilities spanning multiple end markets similar to Metalphoto.
- Avery Dennison: Avery Dennison is the world's largest pressure-sensitive label and graphic materials manufacturer, serving industrial, retail, and logistics end-markets. Comparable as a broad label-industry incumbent with significant industrial identification exposure that competes with Metalphoto in durable and serialized labeling applications.
Emerging players
- Graphic Products (DuraLabel): Graphic Products manufactures the DuraLabel line of industrial labeling systems and supplies, including durable labels for facilities, safety, and pipe identification. Comparable to Metalphoto in producing durable identification products, though focused more on printer-and-supply model than direct material substitution.
Direct peers
- Panduit: Panduit manufactures identification solutions — including durable labels, nameplates, and markers — primarily for network infrastructure, industrial, and electrical applications. Directly comparable to Metalphoto in producing engineered identification components for harsh industrial environments.
- HellermannTyton: HellermannTyton (part of Aptiv) manufactures identification products, cable accessories, and engineered fastening solutions for industrial, automotive, and aerospace markets. Overlaps with Metalphoto in industrial identification markers, tags, and serialized labeling for harsh-environment applications.
- Brady Corporation: Brady is a leading global manufacturer of identification solutions, including durable labels, nameplates, and tags for industrial, safety, and electronics applications. Direct overlap with Metalphoto in industrial identification for harsh environments and similar OEM/customer base in aerospace, defense, and heavy industry.
- Nameplate and Panel Technology: Nameplate and Panel Technology produces custom metal nameplates, panels, and identification products from aluminum, stainless steel, and other metals for industrial and OEM applications. Comparable as a direct competitor in the metal-nameplate product category serving overlapping industrial customers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Metalphoto social profiles
Digital presenceMetalphoto compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance28 records
Metalphoto financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Metalphoto leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Metalphoto funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Metalphoto 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 Metalphoto
What does Metalphoto do?
Metalphoto manufactures photosensitive anodized aluminum material used to produce extremely durable, ultra high-resolution nameplates, labels, and control panels. The archival silver-halide image is sealed inside the anodized aluminum, providing resistance to UV, abrasion, salt spray, chemicals, and temperatures up to 1,000°F, while supporting variable data such as barcodes, QR codes, and serialized identifiers at production scale. The company sells raw material, finished identification products, and on-site processing systems through a global certified converter network.
Is Metalphoto a public or private company?
Metalphoto is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Metalphoto founded?
Metalphoto was founded in 1946. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Metalphoto based?
Metalphoto is headquartered in Cleveland, United States, in the North America region.
How does Metalphoto make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Photosensitive Anodized Aluminum Material Sales are the primary driver. The others are on-Site Processing Systems and certified Converter Network.
Who are Metalphoto's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are 3M, CCL Industries and Avery Dennison. Graphic Products (DuraLabel) is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Panduit, HellermannTyton, Brady Corporation and Nameplate and Panel Technology.
Does Metalphoto have an API?
No public API is recorded for Metalphoto.
What industry is Metalphoto in?
Metalphoto's product category is Industrial Identification Materials. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAKACAI, Aluminum Fabrication & Finishing (Machining, Anodizing, Coating), with a secondary code of IMAKACAM, Aluminum Value-Added Components (Automotive, Aerospace, Packaging, Building Systems). Its NAICS code is 332813 and its SIC code is 3490.