tchcraft USA is known today as an etched plate manufacturer but our company was founded during the ship building boom during World War II.  As the country climbed out of the depression, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, transforming America into an industrial superpower.  Portland became a launching station for ships and supplies in the Pacific, creating thousands of local jobs.

To serve these booming ship yards, the Etchcraft Company created a niche, utilizing chemical etching technology to craft signs and metal control labels for use in the war.  In the forties, Portland experienced a population expansion, thanks largely to the Kaiser Ship Yards.  Kaiser promised health insurance to their employees, pioneering the HMO approach to medical insurance.  As the war came to a close, Etchcraft shifted from ships to other product lines including dies for print advertising.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, America went to war and Etchcraft led the way, helping the armed forces equip war ships for the fight in the Pacific.

The company came to be known as Robinson-Walker Engraving (named after the founding partners) and created print advertising plates for local retailer Fred Meyer.  Occasionally, Robinson and Walker made recognition plaques as a source of additional revenue but as technology advanced the printing die pieces became obsolete.

As theories of corporate management evolved, business people became aware of the importance of formally recognizing employee achievements.  Award programs boost worker morale, increasing productivity and retention.  The creation of employee awards emerged as the core business of Robinson-Walker.

In the sixties, Robinson-Walker headquarters were located in what is now the Pearl District of Northwest Portland.  Later they moved to the old historic Multnomah Hotel area a few blocks south of Burnside Street.  Jim Herndon (who later purchased Robinson-Walker) remembers the day the company moved to Southwest Portland.  “Apparently there was a gas valve left on somewhere in the old building the day they finally moved everything out," said Herndon, "If on that day some one had decided to light a cigarette in that building there wouldn’t be a Pearl District.”

Etchcraft evolved as the decades passed, growing and changing with trends in technology.  Our responsiveness and work ethic distinguish us from the pack.

Herndon took over the business in the sixties and changed the corporate name to JH Recognition.  The focus of his company shifted from awards to scholastic recognition jewelry.  In 1984, Herndon sold his etching business to Lloyd Ostby, who moved operations to Capital Hill Road in the historic village of Multnomah, five minutes southwest of downtown Portland.

Under Lloyd, the company was christened Etchcraft USA and experienced rapid growth.  In 1992, Lloyd purchased a larger building in the Multnomah area and moved our manufacturing headquarters to our current location.  Lloyd expanded product lines to include awards, etched plates, and specialty products.

After building a reputation as the best etching manufacturer in the Northwest, Lloyd expanded our operation nationwide.  Through trade shows, media attention, and strong word of mouth, Etchcraft emerged as the industrial leader for metal etching in North America.  Perhaps the most famous landmark in the world, the Empire State Building proudly features Etchcraft signage.

Three generations of the Ostby family work at the Portland production office.  For more than six decades, Etchcraft USA has served our clients faithfully, a tradition that will endure.  We look forward to working with you and encourage you to contact us for more information.