When The Malco Group picked up Veto Pro Pac earlier this month, it wasn’t just an expansion move. It was a signal. Malco is already known for HVAC-specific tools, chemicals, and accessories. Adding Veto brings a premium tool storage line into the fold and pushes the company further into full-spectrum jobsite relevance.
This deal doesn’t just add SKUs. It deepens Malco’s connection to the technician by solving for how tools are stored, accessed, and protected. And it hints at a broader strategy: serve the trade pro with everything they need, from what goes in the tool bag to the bag itself.
The following was submitted by Rebecca Talbot, VP of Marketing at The Malco Group, and highlights five recent product launches tied to direct contractor feedback.
Malco Tools was founded 75 years ago by Mark W. Keymer, a young steel supply salesman who invented a pipe crimper for installing sheet metal ductwork used in forced air heating systems. The company started in a small garage in Minneapolis before moving to its current headquarters in Annandale. In 2025, Malco Tools joined eight other leading brands in the HVACR and building construction market to create The Malco Group—offering the convenience of a single supplier across an ever-growing product portfolio designed for trade professionals across residential, commercial and multi-family sectors. Today, The Malco Group’s portfolio includes ACE Chemical, Aspen Pumps, Beckett, Big Foot Systems, C&D Valve, HydroBalance, Malco Tools, Unilite and Veto Pro Pac.
How Trade Pro Feedback is Driving The Malco Group’s New Products
At The Malco Group, product development doesn’t start in a lab, it starts on the job site. HVACR and building professionals are problem-solvers by trade and they know when a tool or solution is slowing them down. That is why we spend time listening to Trade Pros—on job sites, at counter days, through our distribution partners and across industry forums. We collect input on what’s missing and what could be improved upon and use it to guide our innovation pipeline. It’s what makes our products so successful.
This philosophy and focus on how we can make their job easier is what led to the formation of The Malco Group. Over time, we recognized a gap—not just in our own lineup of Malco Tools, but in the broader market. In response, as The Malco Group, we’ve expanded our offerings and now provide access to a broader portfolio that includes refrigeration tools, condensate pumps and a comprehensive line of HVACR chemicals.
Alongside our highly regarded Malco Tools, these additions reflect both contractor needs and our commitment to making a trade pros’s job easier by becoming a single source of jobsite solutions, providing everything you need to fill the back of your van.
What the Market Was Missing
Contractors made it clear: the industry needed better solutions, and they wanted it to be easier to buy these solutions. Too often, existing products lacked the performance, durability and compatibility required in the field, and you often have to go to multiple suppliers to get everything you need.
The Malco Group responded with a broader, more integrated portfolio of field-proven solutions from one supplier. With Malco, contractors know what they’re getting—quality, durability and performance they can trust. We’ve earned that trust over decades by delivering tools that stand up to daily use and we’re extending that same commitment to the expanded products in our portfolio.
To continue delivering on our mission, in July of 2025 The Malco Group welcomed Veto Pro Pac, a pro-favorite line of high-quality tool storage solutions, into our family of brands. This addition expands our ability to provide the gear that meets the needs of customers.
These aren’t just off-the-shelf products; they’re curated and tested to meet the high standards of our Trade Pro end user base. We won’t bring it to market unless it meets The Malco Group’s standard for field-proven quality. All of our products are backed by the outstanding training and customer service support you’ve come to know and trust from the Malco name.
New Products Designed to Solve Real Jobsite Challenges
Every product we introduce is designed to solve a specific challenge we’ve heard directly from the field. We’ve heard consistent frustrations around inconsistent products and solutions that fail to perform. Our answer? Bring in proven products that eliminate callbacks, reduce jobsite risk and enhance system performance and productivity across the board.
New products that we have launched in 2025 include:
- Long Cut AVs® by Malco Tools: Ergonomic aviation snips with POWER-FIT™ grips for faster, fatigue-free sheet metal cutting.
- Black Painted Zip-in® Screws by Malco Tools: Corrosion-resistant, aesthetic fasteners for a clean finish on gutters and sheet metal.
- Monster® Series by ACE Chemical: Professional-grade cleaners, sealants, wipes and towels for HVAC systems—tough on grime, gentle on hands.
- A2L Locking Caps by C&D Valve: Patented locking caps that prevent unauthorized refrigerant access and meet code requirements.
- A2L Hex Caps by C&D Valve: Durable sealing caps to prevent leaks and contamination in refrigerant systems.
These products are all about saving time, ensuring reliability and helping Trade Pros get the job done right the first time. Whether it’s an A2L locking cap that secures refrigerant access valves, a condensate pump that automatically collects and directs HVAC condensate when gravity drainage isn’t possible, or chemical cleaners that meet new safety standards while being eco-friendly and effective—each solution addresses a real-world issue.
Who These Products Serve
Our target user is the same one we’ve always served: the skilled HVACR or building construction trade professional who values doing the job right with tools and solutions they can count on.
Whether you’re a residential tech providing condensate management solutions, a multi-family mechanical contractor on a job site, or an installer working under tight deadlines—our expanded lineup delivers convenience, compatibility and confidence. The biggest benefit? Access to a trusted family of brands all under one roof, which simplifies sourcing, speeds up service calls and strengthens performance.
Equipping the Pros: Training, Tools and Trust in the Field
At The Malco Group, we’re taking a 360-degree approach to launching and supporting all of our solutions. First, we’re working closely with our distributor partners to ensure they’re fully stocked and trained. Second, we’re investing in Trade Pro education through counter days, jobsite demos, online training tools and product videos.
We’re also creating demand through targeted digital campaigns, technical content and at trade shows to introduce not only our new solutions and how they outperform, but our entire Malco Group portfolio. And of course, we continue to rely on the power of the Malco name—our brand loyalty and strong reputation—to help open the door to new products because contractors know we stand behind what we sell.
Final Thoughts
The Veto Pro Pac acquisition is the headline, but the product launches deserve just as much attention. All five NPIs respond to specific, recurring frustrations in the field: fatigue from dull snips, fasteners that do not hold up, or caps that fail under pressure.
None of these are flashy innovations, but that is kind of the point. Malco is not chasing headlines. They are plugging holes contractors deal with every day, and they are trying to do it under one roof. Whether that effort pays off will depend on execution. Product quality, training, and distributor support all matter. But when a manufacturer listens closely and delivers tools that solve real-world problems, it is worth keeping on your radar.
For distributors, there’s something else to consider. During my 20+ years in distribution, this move is exactly the kind of acquisition this could make our life easier. One supplier, more categories, and tighter integration. But the flip side is that when one vendor controls more of your shelf, they also start to hold more of the cards. Malco is building a portfolio that stretches across tools, chemicals, and now storage. While this is very likely a good thing for all concerned, it is also another weight on the scale in the supplier’s direction. Either way, it is something to keep in view as the supplier landscape continues to shift.
If you’re a distributor thinking about how this development impacts your supplier mix, I’d be interested to hear your perspective.
As always, we appreciate your comments and support
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