Incorporated in the late 1940s by the late Archer Kahn, American Metalcraft got its start producing hubcaps used on the Tucker Torpedo (an automobile that was produced in Chicago during the 1940s). Over the next decade, American Metalcraft would eventually expand into making pizza pans becoming the first company to produce deep-dish Chicago-Style pizza pans. Around this same time, American Metalcraft also began to produce custom stainless steel plate covers.
By the late 1950s, the company expanded from its pizza pans and plate covers and began to sell copper shapes and bowls which sold primarily to copper enamelers. In 1961, Herbert Kahn succeeded his father as president of American Metalcraft becoming a second generation president and CEO. By then, American Metalcraft’s product line began to grow even larger.
The 1960s saw the company importing products from overseas thus allowing American Metalcraft to be competitive in the industry and keep prices low.
The 1970s were a decade of strength. American Metalcraft’s distribution center caught fire during the decade but the company was able to survive. Following the year of the fire, American Metalcraft had its most profitable year until that time. The 1980s saw the company prosper more than financially.
The 1990s saw tremendous change for American Metalcraft. The late Herbert Kahn passed the reigns of American Metalcraft to his son David and daughter Susan Kahn Bank in 1995 transitioning to third-generation ownership. The company was able to expand from a 6,000 square foot facility in Chicago into a 120,000 square foot facility in west suburban Melrose Park. The product line at American Metalcraft also began to expand. While maintaining its historical core business of pizza supplies, bar supplies, and plate covers, the company was able to add many items in kitchen and tabletop and buffet supplies.
The 1990s also saw the expansion of the number of employees from 40 to 80. The 2000s saw even more change for American Metalcraft. The company was able to successfully reposition itself as one the premier restaurant supply companies in the foodservice industry. Not only has the company continued to introduce hundreds of new products every year, American Metalcraft also stayed committed to producing its own pizza pans and plate covers. By the end of the decade, American Metalcraft had well over 2500 different and unique products.
Entering the 2010s, American Metalcraft expanded its team to well over 100 employees. The company also expanded its product line now importing and producing more than 3000 products. In 2013, the company moved into its newest building in Franklin Park, IL. The new building is more than three times the space as the previous building in Melrose Park. The space not only improved the company’s distribution model but also improved its office space to give its customers the best service. With 70 years of service, American Metalcraft shows no signs of slowing down and looks forward to remaining the number one company in the industry for trend-focused and unique products and the best for customer service and satisfaction.