LA-CO Industries

LA-CO Industries, Inc., the owner of the brand Merkal, is a family-owned global manufacturing company with a rich history dating back to 1934. Founded by Dr. Lester Aronberg, a Chicago-based chemist, the company began with the innovative idea of creating real paint in stick form, which led to the development of the industrial marking category. This initial product, known as Stick-O-Paint, eventually evolved into the Markal® branded Paintstik®, which has become a legendary name in marking products today. The company has been pioneering the future with materials science innovation and has set the industry standard for over three-quarters of a century. With a mission to complete the world's toughest jobs through ink and paint expertise, LA-CO Industries has consistently delivered high-performance products engineered for specific applications. Their product range includes specialized marking tools designed for unique applications, temperature indicators, industrial coatings, and chemicals. LA-CO Industries is also known for its culture of professionalism and family atmosphere, where employees are valued and respected. This has resulted in a loyal workforce, with many employees being part of the company for over a decade. The company encourages this culture through various initiatives like company outings, team events, and rewards for top performance. The company's brands reflect its commitment to needs-based innovation since its inception. These include the Tempil® brand, which is a leader in advanced and accurate temperature indication technologies; the LA-CO® brand, which offers high-quality plumbing and HVAC chemicals; and the All-Weather® brand, which provides trusted livestock marking and identification products. Additionally, the Tempilink® brand specializes in developing inks used for printing chemical indicators and manufactures flexographic coatings and specialty inks for unique applications such as healthcare sterilization. With over 200 employees and locations in the USA and France, LA-CO Industries proudly states that 90% of its products are made in the USA. The company has been in business for over 90 years and has a broad network of long-term business partners, selling its products in over 70 countries worldwide. LA-CO Industries continues to innovate and adapt to the evolving needs of the industrial professional, maintaining its philosophy of delivering high-performance products precisely engineered for specific applications. The company's legacy of innovation and dedication to quality has made it a trusted name in the industry.