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PIONEERING THE FUTURE

We lead the industry with materials science innovation and we’re proud to have set the industry standard for over three quarters of a century. Please explore the timeline of our legacy of innovation below.

OUR FOUNDING

Founded in 1934 by
Dr. Lester Aronberg

The Chicago-based chemist saw inefficient and messy marking solutions for industrial manufacturing and thought there had to be a better way. His innovation of capturing real paint in stick form fueled growth for the company and created the industrial marking category. The Stick-O-Paint would evolve into the Markal® branded Paintstik® - a legendary name in marking products today. 

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A Legacy of Innovation

1934

REVOLUTIONARY PRODUCT: REAL PAINT IN STICK FORM

Stick-O-Paint is the first product for Lake Chemical Co. (now LA-CO Industries, Inc.) Fuels growth for the company.

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1945

ALL-WEATHER® LIVESTOCK MARKING PRODUCTS

The Paintstik® livestock marker is introduced, expanding the reach of marking products into the farm/agriculture market.

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OUR CULTURE

Life at LA-CO Today

We cultivate a professional, family atmosphere, where employees come first and people are treated with respect. We encourage this through company outings, team events, rewards for top performance and promotional opportunities that come from within.

As a result, we are proud that many of our employees have been with us for 10+ years - helping craft more than one of our products.

Learn more about our culture.

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