Chicago Cutting Die Company, Northbrook, IL, is marking the 85th anniversary of its founding this month. Begun by Swedish immigrant brothers in a Chicago blacksmith shop in 1923, Chicago Cutting Die today serves customers in some 40 industries across 22 countries.

“When my grandfather and his brother started the company, most of their work was for the apparel industry, and for manufacturers of envelopes and labels,” said president Lyle Archer. “Today, most of our work is in the fields of personal care, pharmaceuticals and flexible packaging. The technologies have changed, and so have the materials we work with.”
    
Despite increasing pressures in an increasingly globalized economy, the firm has managed to not only survive, but thrive. “We don’t look at ourselves as just a die maker, manufacturing an element to fit into our customers’ equipment,” Mr. Archer said. “We bring our expertise to the table. Our business is to provide solutions that enable them to produce their products quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively. We’re consultants who put our recommendations to work.”