CONTRIBUTED PHOTO — Joe Carter, MARSHALLTOWN president and CEO, shakes hands with El Jensen, vice president of customer relations for WAL-BOARD TOOLS during a product review in Long Beach, Calif. MARSHALLTOWN purchased the drywall tools manufacturer in the largest acquisition in its company history, adding nearly 200 jobs to its Midwest facilities.

Nearly 200 jobs will be created between two Midwest facilities following MARSHALLTOWN’s acquisition of a drywall tools manufacturer.

The purchase of Wallboard Tool Co. (WAL-BOARD TOOLS) marks the largest acquisition in company history, adding about 300 products, as well as the most significant workforce and sales increases to date.

“WAL-BOARD TOOLS has been a worthy competitor for more than 75 years,” said Joe Carter, president & CEO of MARSHALLTOWN. “We’ve joined forces to provide our customers with the broadest assortment of the highest quality and most innovative drywall tools in the world.”

The Long Beach, Calif.-based manufacturer was established by Mel Masterson in 1946 as the “first in drywall tools.” His son, John Masterson, later took the reins as the company president. Drywall grew in popularity during this time, eventually becoming the favored alternative to plaster.

MARSHALLTOWN plans to integrate the products into its existing catalog. Manufacturing and distribution operations begin this week at the Marshalltown, Iowa and Fayetteville, Ark. facilities.

“It’s a joyful day for me,” said El Jensen, vice president of customer relations for WAL-BOARD TOOLS. “MARSHALLTOWN is committed to the future and positioned for growth. We couldn’t be going to a better company.”

Jensen, who earned the moniker “Mr. Drywall” during his 60-plus years at WAL-BOARD TOOLS, is considered a top industry expert. Jensen and Craig Glenn, vice president of sales for WAL-BOARD TOOLS, spent time at the Marshalltown, Iowa headquarters in September. The trip involved two days of hands-on training with employees with both WAL-BOARD and MARSHALLTOWN tools.

Jensen and Glenn, who have traveled the country seeing many manufacturing businesses, said the MARSHALLTOWN facilities and manufacturing innovation and automation are unmatched. Jensen said he wished there was a stronger phrase than “state-of-the-art” to describe what he saw.

“It’s even beyond that,” Jensen said. “The robotics, the technology, the employees who are so knowledgeable and innovative. It’s completely overwhelming — in a good way.”

Groups of MARSHALLTOWN employees have spent the last nine weeks traveling back and forth to Long Beach preparing for the massive addition to its already bustling production facilities. MARSHALLTOWN manufactures industry-leading construction tools and equipment for various industries including concrete, masonry, asphalt, flooring, painting and more. Its tools can be found in major hardware retailers in the United States and around the world. MARSHALLTOWN introduced its drywall tools in the late 1960s, Carter said.

In the past 12 years, MARSHALLTOWN has acquired 10 companies while maintaining an extraordinary pace of new product development. The manufacturer has developed and released more than 280 new products in the past two years.

With the company’s tremendous growth and success, Carter is quick to point to the strong foundation of company’s predecessors and incredible team members.

“MARSHALLTOWN was a strong company long before I ever showed up,” Carter said. “Our company growth and strength during the 35 years I’ve worked here have been due to that strong foundation and all the drive and passion our team members have had to be the best in our industry. We’re celebrating our successes, but we’re also driving to get better every day. It’s a mindset and we just won’t settle for doing things the same as last year.”

The latest acquisition joins two companies with longtime commitments to American manufacturing, who also share a similar customer base. As MARSHALLTOWN expands its presence and market share in the drywall industry, it solidifies its position as the world-leader in drywall tools.

“It’s the perfect marriage,” Carter said. “This is first in drywall tools meets best in quality and innovation.”

Creating nearly 200 production and office positions between the two MARSHALLTOWN locations is another exciting aspect of the purchase, Carter said. The base starting wage for someone on the production floor is currently $20 per hour, but that wage would be higher depending upon skills and requirements. Compensation for office positions will be very competitive as well, he said.

“The often-overlooked byproduct of thriving businesses is people,” Carter said. “The community grows with great jobs but also the great people — and the families — those jobs attract.”

John Hall, president and CEO of the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce, said he agrees.

“Anytime we add more job opportunities to the Marshalltown community it’s a win,” Hall said. “MARSHALLTOWN has a strong record of employing people who are engaged in the community and help grow our community.”

MARSHALLTOWN, established in 1890, opened a 60,000 square foot expansion of manufacturing space at its Marshalltown, Iowa headquarters earlier this year. It will continue to reinvest in its technology, equipment, facilities, and people, Carter said.