California Tool & Die
Time-Honored Craftsmanship and Cutting-Edge Technology

For over 50 years, California Tool & Die, a familyoperated company, has been harmoniously blending age-old craftsmanship and avant-garde technologies in tool and die manufacturing. The company’s masterful integration of advanced design software, including AutoCAD and SOLIDWORKS, with precision manufacturing technologies such as laser etching, electrical discharge machining (EDM) and computer numerical control (CNC) systems, skillfully combines modern techniques with time-honored craftsmanship to elevate product quality and accuracy.

The firm’s strategic growth toward metal stamping has been a game-changer, catapulting it to industry leadership. Today, it has a portfolio of over 1,000 designed catalog parts serving the lamp and lighting industry, along with custom and proprietary stampings that meet the needs of a diverse clientele, from automotive to electronics, including the highly regulated medical sector.

The success of California Tool & Die over the years is one of adaptability and foresight. About a decade ago, the company undertook a significant expansion of its operations. Initially, the focus was on developing and maintaining tools for its own manufacturing needs. However, it quickly recognized a shifting trend in the industry—other businesses were facing the challenges of retaining skilled die-makers or justifying the cost of employing a full-time die-making team. In response to this emerging need, California Tool & Die astutely broadened its scope to offer developing and maintaining tools services to external clients.

The company takes proactive steps to infuse fresh talent into the industry and mitigate the shortage of die-making expertise. It has developed specialized training programs for young individuals.

This has a dual benefit—fostering a new generation of skilled artisans and providing maintenance tooling services to other manufacturers, transforming potential adversity into a springboard for growth and innovation.

This promise of rapid and proficient repair work was met with much acclaim. It ensures clients are shielded from the steep costs associated with operational downtime, promoting enhanced productivity and sustained performance.

The team at California Tool & Die plays a big role in that. CFO Dana Matejka elucidates, “Our small size and agile approach help us to expedite the repair or maintenance of client’s dies; on top of it, our skilled machinist and state-of-the-art equipment significantly help us to strengthen our capabilities.”

California Tool & Die constantly embarks on a journey of continuous learning and process refinement, where it not only adheres to the clientprovided design but engages in comprehensive discussions about each project, delving into the intended use of the part and its functionality postmanufacture. This involves conducting feasibility analyses and providing upfront feedback to enhance designs. Once the design is finalized, it is used to construct the necessary tooling and dies, rigorously tested to ensure quality and functionality.

It adopts a forward-thinking approach by actively seeking feedback and learning from each project. This continuous learning process is facilitated by the development of new worksheets, designed to elicit more insightful questions. Enabling California Tool & Die to preemptively identify potential challenges and address them proactively, this strategy helps the company to ensure that the solutions exceed client expectations.

A notable example of California Tool & Die’s promise to client success is illustrated in its handling of a specific client request. After successfully crafting a die that led to a flawless initial production run, the client requested three additional dies. The subsequent production faced challenges due to changes in the client’s team dynamics, particularly the loss of their production foreman. The new team members struggled with setup and operational procedures, which could have jeopardized production efficiency. Recognizing the importance of uninterrupted production, California Tool & Die visited the client’s site multiple times to offer hands-on assistance and training.

This collaborative effort reflects the company’s promise to go beyond just a one-time solution provider and be a long-term partner. Carrying the essence of traditional values and a strong belief in teamwork, California Tool & Die does more than manufacturing dies—it shapes legacies.