Photometal by Taylor

Our family started in business in the middle 1950's with my grandather, William "Ralph" Taylor, as a local photographer and offset printer. In early 1964, he was approached to test some new material for the U.S. Navy involving a new photograhic process on anodized aluminum. The process encased silver particles under a diamond hard surface providing a crisp, clean, scratch resistant metal surface, ideal for exterior signage and industrial applications.

In 1966, Ralph and his son, Lawrence Taylor Sr. (Larry), used this new process they were calling "Photometal" to launch a new company using this process in their retail market. They launched Photo Charms by Taylor in early spring of 1967. Their main product put photographs into the metal and were then punched out and mounted on products such as gold and silver charm necklaces, bracelets, lockets and even Zippo lighters.

The marketing took off and soon became a nationwide craze, much like charm bracelets are today. Within a two-year period the company grew from three employees and 800-square feet to 25 employees and 17,000-square feet. What started out as a fill-in business to subsidize the print and photograph business became the main focus. Within five years they were selling products internationally with sales topping more than 100,000 pieces yearly.

In 1978, when the charm fad began to fade, we began marketing Photometal in other avenues, such as the awards and recognition markets. We began using it on plaques and awards as a replacement to the popular hand engraves plates of the time.

Like Photo Charms before, we pursued the nationwide markets of Trophy Dealers, Photo Studios, and Advertising Specialty Distributors.

By joining ARA (Awards & Recogntion Institute), PMA (Photo Marketing Association), and ASI (Advertising Specialty Institute), it broadened the scope of the product to new customers. By 1980, we had more than 800 dealers worldwide, including more than 700 in the U.S.

In 1994, the third generation, Lawrence Taylor Jr. (LT), began working part-time in the production and marketing departments with his grandfather. In late 1996, he became full-time Production Manager and was soon employing new marketing strategies. Three years later, the company expanded its production capabilities and purchased a New Hermes 25 watt Laser Engraver. With a basic website and some catalog marketing through ASI & ARA, the company added growth in the new laser engraving market.

In the Spring of 2000, the company increased technology and reduced unnecessary overhead and employees. LT combined all the companies from the previous Taylor business ventures into one umbrella company — Taylor Made Enterprises.There are three companies operating under that umbrella: Photometal by Taylor, the ASI division; Taylor Made Awards, a local only retail outlet for awards, recognition and advertising specialty products, and Make It Personal, which focuses on Promotional and Advertising Specialty products for the end user.

LT is proud to be continuing the Taylor family's legacy in the awards and recogntion marketplace, which has provided more than 40 years of superb customer service and unique custom work.