Even with modern packaging, the can remains one of the most common food storage vessels. Minden's American International Tooling manufactures the tools used for can seaming machines.
"The process has been around for 100 years," said President Lee Bertucci. "No soldering or welding is needed - just pressure. We make the tooling that seams the lid to the can."
The tooling company creates the parts for companies that make cans for Del Monte Foods, Bumble Bee and Starkist Tuna and for home canning supplier Ball Packaging.
Bertucci said there are only two other main manufacturers of tools, such as chucks, curling rolls and flanger rolls in the country.
"We offer customer service," he said. "It means everything to us."
Bertucci has been in the business for 12 years and just recently moved his facility from a 2,000-square-foot space in Carson City to the new 10,000-square-foot shop in Carson Valley Business Park.
"There's a lot of space," said Bertucci. "It's a real pleasure coming to work."
The new space includes an engineering office, computer room, sales office, conference room, quality control room for inspections and to show products to customers. Computer programmed machines run production.
"We do as much as we can in-house and you won't find a cleaner operation," said Bertucci. "We have a different mindset here. Organization saves time and it's a more efficient way to do things."
Besides Bertucci, two machinists, a drafter, office staff and a sales manager are what it takes to run American International Tooling.
"Our company is unique in that we have a lot of coverage and people wear a lot of hats here," said Bertucci. "Machinists handle shipping, cross-training. We promote thinking here."
A grand opening event will be held May 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
"People are invited to see what we do," said Bertucci. "We're catering with eats and drinks and we'll show what chucks and rolls are. We'll have production running to see parts being made."
American International Tooling, Inc. is at 2516 Business Parkway, Suite A, Minden. For more information, go to www.seamertooling.org or call 267-6939.
What: Grand opening event at American International Tooling, Inc.
Where: 2516 Business Parkway, Suite A, Minden
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 5
Info: 267-6970
