Metalcraft announces Kyle Bermel as its new CEO

Metalcraft announced a planned leadership transition reflecting the ongoing elevation of the employee-owned company’s dedicated team. Effective October 1, president Kyle Bermel will take on the role of CEO as well. He succeeds current CEO Steve Doerfler, who will become board chairman. This transition reflects Metalcraft's commitment to a customer-centric team, inspiring customers to unleash the power of their data with the most effective identification products.

Doerfler joined Metalcraft in 1990 and served as CEO since 2012. His leadership championed a culture that prioritizes employee well-being, nurturing a thriving work environment that propelled the Iowa-based manufacturer to a global leadership position in identification products. As chairman, Steve will continue guiding Metalcraft University, an initiative empowering member-owners' personal development, cultivating leadership potential, and enhancing skill sets to ensure Metalcraft remains at the forefront of ID technology.

‘Steve Doerfler's leadership is central in shaping Metalcraft's identity and success,’ said Bermel. ‘His transition to the chairman role leverages his unparalleled experience to navigate the company's future. Together with the entire Metalcraft team, we will continue to thrive on challenges to make the complex simple for our customers, showing a better way and delivering as promised.’ 

Bermel brings a background in innovation and technology to his leadership responsibilities. He joined Metalcraft as an RFID engineer in 2012, becoming Metalcraft’s first Chief Operating Officer in 2019. Bermel led development of subsidiaries ARK Business Systems and Inlay Innovation, offering software and the Iowa-based design and manufacture of custom RFID inlays, respectively.

‘Metalcraft has a culture of employee-led innovation,’ said Doerfler. ‘Since beginning, we’ve always been problem solvers, and our member-owners have rallied around change. I am confident that Kyle’s passionate leadership of innovative technology development will demonstrate that we have the experience and expertise to sustain the growth of our dedicated team.’ 

Since 1950, Metalcraft has provided property identification solutions from a headquarters in Mason City, Iowa. Metalcraft designs, engineers and manufactures custom RFID and barcode tags and labels for almost any tagging need, especially asset tracking, access control and OEM applications. Metalcraft also provides a wide range of services including asset tracking software and RFID inlay production, prototyping and pilot projects.