History
Medalcraft Mint Inc. has been a Wisconsin-based company since its founding 1948. What began as a two-man collaboration in an old blacksmith shop has evolved into a world leader in the die-struck award and custom challenge coin industry.
1948
The West Shore Manufacturing Company was founded by Orlo Christensen and Gordon Thorson and based in Kewaunee, WI. An old press was purchased, and as two entrepreneurs and experimenters, they started working with “minting” medals.
1971
Thorson passes away, and Tom Tadych was hired as the company’s manager. Tadych purchases half the stock from Thorson’s widow and changes the name to The Medalcraft, Inc. Shortly thereafter, Medalcraft began to supply award medals to the Wisconsin High School Music Association and other associations.
1974
Medalcraft receives 1st Place Gold Award in Metal Striking through PPAI (Promotional Products Advertising Institute).
1975
Christensen retires and Tadych buys remaining stock in the company. Tadych moves the company to a 4,600 sq foot building located on Gross Ave. in Green Bay, WI, about two blocks south of what is now Stadium View, now Holmgren Way. The stock line was also created and sold through the trophy dealer industry.
1981
Medalcraft moved to 2660 W Mason St, which was 15,500 sq. feet.
1982
Medalcraft joins the Advertising Specialty Institute, or ASI.
1985
The name is changed to The Medalcraft Mint, Inc.
1986
Medalcraft adds on to the building, making the square footage 32,000 sq. feet.
1987
John Gregg is hired as President and Tom Tadych plays a less active role. Gregg would soon purchase the company from Tadych.
1996
Medalcraft is purchased by Ron Chimenti from John Gregg.
2001
Medalcraft won the contract to produce the Official Inaugural Coin for George W Bush. Medalcraft has also won 19 Gold Awards in Metal Striking over the last 27 years. Medalcraft Mint would go on to produce inaugural coins for Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joseph Biden.
2004
Medalcraft launches an OEM division; designing and manufacturing medals and emblems to enhance products. This includes Kohler, Zippo, Brunswick and others.
2007
Jerry Moran purchases Medalcraft Mint from Ron Chimenti, and invests over $1M to increase production efficiencies, such as CNC’s to mechanically cut dies. The vision was created to not only sell a high-quality product, but at a speed no competition could beat.
2009
The Government sales division is started.
2013
Medalcraft expands the toolroom by purchasing a Datron CNC machine.
2015
Strategic planning and action begins to significantly grow the company by 2020. The plan is to invest $1 million annually, included in that is the training and development of employees.
Medalcraft Mint is approved by the Institute of Heraldry to produce military insignia.
2016
Medalcraft introduces automation to Enameling by purchasing three robots to keep our vision of selling speed to market intact.
2017
Medalcraft purchases another Datron CNC machine.
2018
Medalcraft puts a focused effort on gaining market share in the Corporate and Educational markets.
Medalcraft acquires “Medallic Art and Mint”, formerly two companies: Medallic Art Company and Northwest Territorial Mint. This move makes Medalcraft Mint the largest private mint in all North America. Medalcraft currently employs approx. 90 employees along with a 6,000 sq. foot warehouse off-site to accommodate added equipment and production.
2020
The COVID-19 pandemic hits. Medalcraft uses this as an opportunity to look at their processes and make improvements throughout the facility. Additional presses were purchased to upgrade the pressroom as well as each department was looked at to see how they could increase output.
2023
Medalcraft celebrates 75 years.
The Reliability Engineering Program and filming of the documentary, Unturning Steel, takes place.
Future Focus
Continued investment in the company and employees to be the best private mint in all North America.