It all began with two people wanting to start a company that was, above all else, simply a great place to work.

After many years of being in the workforce supporting other companies, Dale (Mac) and Denise McIntosh steadfastly wanted their business to be the best job they, their co-founders, and their employees had ever had – an idea which, to this day, is still our biggest core principle.

And, with the help of some trusted colleagues, we made it happen.

How it Started

In 2002, Mac worked alongside Bob Luebbe and Scott Heffern at a fabrication company called Custom Metal Craft, where we all continued to deepen our knowledge of the industry. During this time, we incubated the idea of adding a new dry powder-handling section of the business.

As our concept developed in the following few years, we officially acquired one of our most valuable assets: Denise. Her extensive experience along with her positive, go-getter attitude made her the most perfect choice for the CEO of what would eventually become CPS.

Then, in 2005, our group purchased the powder-handling portion of Custom Metal Craft to start our own company, transitioning the assets (including 27 loyal employees) to what was now officially Custom Powder Systems. Over the next several years, our company grew rapidly, showing early signs of great success – a trend that would inevitably continue as time went on.

How it Continued

Shortly after it was founded, CPS received a request from a major nuclear bundling producer to help them build some equipment for handling uranium powder. While our team did not have a lot of experience with such materials, we were not ones to turn down a challenge and quickly got to work figuring out how we could make it happen.

Mac and Scott soon connected with Russ Kraniak, an expert in the nuclear field, who helped build a plan and present it to the company, earning CPS the contract. Suddenly, the doors were opened to a whole new marketplace, broadening the scope of CPS’ capabilities to include containment.

Not long thereafter, Russ, along with his coworkers Ronnie Harris and Durwood Perry, brought their talents and experience to the team of what is now Integrated Containment Systems – our company that provides solutions for total containment throughout production processes.

Today, ICS fits perfectly alongside the operations of CPS, as, together, we can build equipment that covers a multitude of steps within the production process, including helping to protect employees from potentially hazardous materials, reducing waste, and preventing cross-contamination. 

Where We Are Now

Over the years, Mac and Denise have learned that our strongest assets live in our team members. Without them and their skills, our company simply wouldn’t be in operation. We pride ourselves on taking care of our people, no matter what it takes, because it is truly “the village” that has made CPS successful.

We encourage a culture of entrepreneurism, empowering our employees to freely share their thoughts – because that’s how you find the best ideas. Whatever challenge comes along, you make it right, make it work, and do the right thing.

We believe that if our employees are sold on what the company is doing, our clients will too – and we strive to never lose a customer. By trusting and embracing the extensive knowledge of our employees, we know CPS can continue to solve any problems that come our way. 

“Experimentation is a way of life, but it’s a good way of life.” – Mac