About Century Manufacturing

From Humble Beginnings to a Strong Presence in the Marketplace

Since 1971, Century Manufacturing has expertly crafted acrylic, wood, and Lucite awards, preservations, deal toys, acrylic tap handles, metal castings, point of purchase displays, and other promotional products. Our custom, American-made Lucite embedments and imprinted acrylic awards are an innovative way to recognize top performers, commemorate an important event, or celebrate a milestone.

Our Services
Our Work

WHO WE ARE

Crafting Awards Since 1959

WHO WE ARE

Crafting Awards Since 1959

Our Story

Decades of Experience and Dedication

Explore our story and discover how our business began, what we’ve done over six decades in the industry, and where we’re going from here.

1958

STARTED FROM A PASSION

Century Manufacturing began in 1958 when teenager, Jim Laughbach, started making coin holders in his grandfather’s basement from scrap acrylic he bought at an aircraft surplus warehouse.

He sold these coin holders to local coin shops and soon made more money than his high school peers and many of his teachers.

1971–1972

Passion, expansion, And Mastery

After graduation, Jim began making items like clocks and paperweights, then invested in raw acrylic and the equipment needed to embed coins into various shapes.

Immediately, requests for customizations and imprints poured in, which moved the company from retail gifts into advertising specialty items.

1980–2010

Experts in award craft

In response to the growing demand for awards, we expanded our capabilities and team, successfully navigating various national financial challenges and emerging stronger than before.

Today

Handcrafted awards in the modern era

Century Manufacturing remains a family owned business, with all manufacturing operations in the USA. Our main focus now is custom Lucite embedments, tombstone awards, and other corporate and custom awards. We also manufacture acrylic POP displays, plaques, and signage as well as wooden awards and bases.

All of our products are made-to-order, so there are no out of stock issues, and we have some of the fastest turnaround times in the industry. Since all of our awards are made in our facility in the Midwest, United States, we’re centrally located for no greater than 3–4 day ground shipments to anywhere in the country.

We strive to make even the most demanding schedules work without rush charges whenever possible. Customer service is our main focus, and we proudly receive A+ ratings through ESP and SAGE continually.

Our Team

Get to Know Century Manufacturing

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Our Story

Decades of Experience and Dedication

Explore our story and discover how our business began, what we’ve done over six decades in the industry, and where we’re going from here.

Top notch customer service. We literally asked them to do the impossible on turn around time. They preformed perfectly. Lance was the customer service person than helped us.
I do not like being the customer with difficult requests, but often times we are. There was never even a hint of frustration of hesitancy in is voice. Only thing that we received from Lance was “I will see what I can do.” He was able to do every request we asked. It was an amazing performance. Thank you.

-Clyde

Top notch customer service. We literally asked them to do the impossible on turn around time. They preformed perfectly. Lance was the customer service person than helped us.
I do not like being the customer with difficult requests, but often times we are. There was never even a hint of frustration of hesitancy in is voice. Only thing that we received from Lance was “I will see what I can do.” He was able to do every request we asked. It was an amazing performance. Thank you.

-Clyde

Top notch customer service. We literally asked them to do the impossible on turn around time. They preformed perfectly. Lance was the customer service person than helped us.
I do not like being the customer with difficult requests, but often times we are. There was never even a hint of frustration of hesitancy in is voice. Only thing that we received from Lance was “I will see what I can do.” He was able to do every request we asked. It was an amazing performance. Thank you.

-Clyde

Top notch customer service. We literally asked them to do the impossible on turn around time. They preformed perfectly. Lance was the customer service person than helped us.
I do not like being the customer with difficult requests, but often times we are. There was never even a hint of frustration of hesitancy in is voice. Only thing that we received from Lance was “I will see what I can do.” He was able to do every request we asked. It was an amazing performance. Thank you.

-Clyde