From Hand Stamps to Lasers: Mt. Lebanon and MECCO Show Us the Future of Manufacturing

In this year’s What’s So Cool About Manufacturing? video contest, students from Mt. Lebanon School District teamed up with MECCO. Together, they explored how far manufacturing has come and how exciting its future really is.

Their video opens with a laugh, but it quickly dives into MECCO’s impressive history. MECCO has been a major leader in American industry for more than 130 years. Founded in 1889 as M.E. Cunningham Company, the business started out making simple hand stamps. Today, it leads the market in high-tech laser and impact marking systems.

Tracking and Traceability Tech

At its core, MECCO specializes in part traceability. This is the power to permanently mark and track components throughout their product lifespan. These systems serve a wide range of industries, including aerospace, automotive, and medical devices.

The students learned how MECCO’s technology has evolved over the decades. Today, the company offers an array of advanced marking tools:

• Impact marking systems using a sharp carbide tip.
• High-performance fiber and UV laser marking tools.
• Advanced green and CO₂ laser configurations.

The student video highlights the company’s signature LightWriter™ laser series. It gives viewers a great, hands-on look at how these smart systems operate in real time.

Finding Passion and Innovation in the Shop

What really stood out in this project is the pure sense of wonder the students found. The MECCO team did not just explain their machines. They shared a real passion for their careers.

“To me, the coolest part of manufacturing is that it’s in everything we see, everything we do, and everything we use.”

From the barcode on your phone to the VIN on your car, marking tech is everywhere. The Mt. Lebanon students captured that message beautifully. They linked MECCO’s legacy to a concept every student understands: progress. Just like the jump from Nintendo to PlayStation, innovation is about taking what came before and making it better.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Builders

Catalyst Connection is proud to support this local school collaboration. MECCO welcomed these students into their plant and gave them an up-close look at modern manufacturing. Teamups like this show exactly why the video program works. It makes industrial careers feel real, relatable, and exciting.

Thank you to MECCO and Mt. Lebanon for reminding us that the future of manufacturing is already here.

Want to join the action? To get involved, you can email Hannah Kusenko to learn more about the What’s So Cool About Manufacturing? Video Contest.