Company History
Van Mark Founded
Founded by Gene Van Cleave with the first facility in Detroit Michigan – Patented and introduced Trim-A-Brake portable bending brake to be used on the job site rather than in a factory.
1964
Introduction of Saw Tables
Started selling portable saw tables for installers to cut Aluminum, Vinyl and wood using standard circular saws.
1967
Trim-A-Slitter™
Patented and Introduced Trim-A-Slitter™ portable slitting machine designed to be used on the job site in conjunction with portable brakes. Allowed aluminum and steel rolls and sheets to be cut to custom sizes right on the job site rather than in a factory.
Our Slitters Today 1970
The new Van Mark Plant
Moved into a larger, state of the art Manufacturing facility in Farmington Hills, MI.
1972
Trim-A-Louver™
Patented and introduced the Trim-A-Louver™, a Portable “punch Press” that put custom ventilation louvers in Aluminum, steel and Vinyl siding.
Our Louver Today 1972
Trim-A-Table™
Patented and introduced the Trim-A-Table™, a portable cutting table with a rotating boom designed to cut custom angles in siding, trim and other products used in the installation of Roofing Siding and windows.
Our Tables Today 1973
Looking towards the future
Over the years, Van Mark Products illustrated the importance of quality in our products. To this day, quality has been our focus in all our tools and service.
1979
Coil Cradle™
Patented and Introduced the Coil Cradle™, a small jobsite tool designed to hold rolls of coil for easy use on the jobsite. The Coil Cradle greatly reduced scrap and damage to rolls of metal used in construction.
Our Coil Cradle™ Today 1979
A staple in the Rental Industry
Started exhibiting at American Rental Show. Due to the overwhelming demand for bending brakes in the rental industry. Van Mark quickly became the favorite of the Rental Industry due to the quality, low maintenance and high ROI of their products.
Trade Shows & Events 1980
Bending Brakes
Patented and Introduced the first Cam Operated Portable Bending Brake. This innovation eclipsed other jobsite bending technology by allowing the user to make 180° “Hem” bends. The brake also had a wide jaw opening that allowed many large and intricate shapes to be formed on the job site that were limited to shop brakes prior to its introduction. Sold as the Mark I “50” Series
Our Bending Brakes Today 1983
Mark IV Industrial Brake
Introduced the Mark IV Industrial Bending Brake specifically designed for the needs of the Metal Roofing and Post Frame Building industry. The unique Cam Design, additional castings, reinforced locking bars and unique “Shop Stand” gave the user the ability to bend up to 24 gauge painted steel.
Our Mark IV Industrial Brake Today 1992
Van Mark Exhibits at Metalcon
Started exhibiting at Metalcon in Atlanta GA demonstrating the Mark IV Industrial brake and Trim-A-Slitter as used to bend painted steel in the Metal Roofing Industry.
Trade Shows & Events 1994
Van Mark Exhibits at Frame Builders Show
Started Exhibiting at The Frame Builders Show demonstrating our Mark IV Industrial and Trim-A-Slitter as used to bend painted steel in the post frame building industry
Trade Shows & Events 1997
Mark I “60” Series™
Introduced the Mark I “60” Series™ cam locking brakes. These featured a new Top Lock Bar (“F Bar”) with rails to allow new patented brake accessories to work on Van Mark Cam Operated brakes.
Our Mark I Series™ Brake Today 1998
QuickScore™
Patented and introduced the QuickScore™, a scoring tool guided by the locking bar of the brakes, to allow brake users to score metal without damaging the hinges of the brakes.
Our QuickScore™ Today 1998
TrimFormer™
Patented and introduced the TrimFormer™ with two standard dies (Brick mold and rib form) allowing brake users to custom form and strengthen aluminum trim and moldings utilizing the brake as a guide.
Our TrimFormer™ Today 1999
Coil Dispenser™
Introduced the Coil Dispenser™, a free standing versatile coil holder designed for brake users to save money by not damaging trim coil on the jobsite.
Our Coil Dispenser™ Today 2000
Trim Cutter™
Introduced the Trim Cutter™, designed to ride on the brake lock bar and cut Steel, Aluminum, Vinyl and many other materials utilizing the brake as a guide.
Our Trim Cutter™ Today 2001
UniStand™
Patented and introduced the UniStand™, a universal stand for Van Mark brakes, cutting tables and slitters
Our UniStand™ Today 2001
Mark II TrimMaster®
Introduced the Mark II TrimMaster® cam locking brake featuring a PowerSlot hinge designed to make bends as small as 5 ⁄ 8".
Our Mark II TrimMaster® Today 2002
Industrial Slitter Combo
Introduced the Industrial Slitter Combo as a 48" wide Slitter for steel with a motor, portable stand and 6’ Exit table making it the first Job Site Portable slitting station.
Our Industrial Slitter Combo Today 2002
NailHawg™
Patented and Introduced the NailHawg™ job site metal sweeper for cleaning up ferrous metal debris. It’s Unique release lever made it an industry standard right away.
Our NailHawg™ Today 2003
Trim-A-Gutter™
Patented and Introduced the Trim-A-Gutter™ Custom Gutter Hood Forming Tool allowing contractors to custom make gutter hood protection to fit the job rather than purchase a “one size fits all” hood. Also introduces 5" Gutter hood Installation Brackets for the gutter hood formed on the Trim-A-Gutter™ to be installed properly.
Our Trim-A-Gutter™ System 2005
Metal Master Brakes
Introduced the Metal Master cam locking brake series featuring a 20" throat depth, the deepest in the industry. Sold in both the Industrial Version (Metal Master Industrial) and Contractor version
Our Bending Brakes Today 2008
UniStand™ EZ Go
Patented and introduced the UniStand™ EZ GO Series of stands, our durable UniStand with center mounted wheels for the easiest maneuverability on the job site.
Our UniStand™ EZ Go Today 2010
TrimFormer™ Bead Dies
Introduced Bead Form Dies for the TrimFormer™ to allow brake users to add beads to aluminum for rain baffles and strengthening beads.
Our TrimFormer™ Today 2012
Multi Gauge™
Patented and Introduced the Multi Gauge™ tool which both assists brake users in determining the angle of the metal being bent and gives a guide for where the cut to the metal is made with the Van Mark TrimCutter™.
Our Multi Gauge™ Today 2013
50 Years of Quality
Van mark Celebrates its 50th Anniversary as a family owned and operated business focused on quality products and their customer’s needs.
Learn more about us 2014
Gutter Hood Installation Clips
Designed specifically for use with the Trim-A-Gutter™ System. Our clips and brackets help mount custom formed gutter hood to keep debris out of gutters while allowing water to flow.
Our Trim-A-Gutter Clips 2016
Brand New Castings (20")
The New Metal Master® 20 and Industrial Metal Master® 20 EZ-Go Feature brand new castings that are 15% lighter yet 20% stronger than our original. Adds life to the casting and produces more precise bends. Has a 20" Throat Depth to bend wider material.
Our Metal Master Brakes 2018
Brand New Castings (14")
The New Mark II TrimMaster® , Mark I Series™, and Mark IV Industrial TrimMaster® Feature brand new castings and pivot arms that are 5% lighter yet 10% stronger than our original. Adds life to the casting and produces more precise bends.
Our Mark II TrimMaster® Today 2022
60 Year Anniversary
We celebrated our 60 year anniversary and had a great giveaway! Be sure to follow our newslater for more future events!
About our 60th Anniversary 2024
The Future of Van Mark
Van Mark continues to develop new tools and products, following our core values for many years to come.
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