Meet the Team!
Marc Steele
Marking Specialist | Walkabout Strategist | Straight Shooter
Marc Steel may be on walkabout… but don’t let that fool you—he’s always exactly where he needs to be when a customer has a marking question.
Known for his direct, no-nonsense approach, Marc doesn’t waste time with fluff. If you ask him for advice, you’ll get the right answer—clear, practical, and tailored to your application. Then he may disappear again.
His “walkabout” isn’t wandering—it’s field research. Probably.
Running Notes:
- Has never admitted anything is a problem (“no worries”)
- Somehow always available the moment a customer emails/chats
- Answers questions faster than people can find him
- Still hasn’t fixed the office compass he insists on using
Dorthea "Dottie" Peene
Dot Peen Specialist | Morale Booster | Tap Dance Champion
Dottie brings precision and personality to every mark. Specializing in dot peen and scribe marking, she works closely with customers to develop sample marks, test applications, and ensure every result hits the right note.
Whether she’s dialing in parameters or tapping out a rhythm on the shop floor, Dottie keeps things running smoothly—and cheerfully. Her upbeat approach makes even the toughest marking challenges feel manageable.
Running Notes:
- Can be heard before she’s seen (tap shoes are non-negotiable)
- Believes every marking pattern has a rhythm
- Turns sample testing into a performance event
- Keeps customers smiling while solving their toughest applications
Bernard "Bernie" Sparks
Laser Marking Specialist | Heat Maximizer | Volcano Enthusiast
Bernie believes every problem can be solved by “a bit more power.” Sometimes there isn’t even a problem—but Bernie likes to be prepared.
His love of volcanoes has influenced his work philosophy: controlled eruptions are still eruptions.
Running Notes:
- Knows laser settings for every material… and then pushes them slightly higher
- Can explain focal distance, wattage, and speed faster than most can take notes
- Treats every sample mark like a science experiment
- Has never met a marking challenge he didn’t want to “dial in just a bit more”
Noah Baroque
Service Technician | Standing By | Paper Aviation Division
Noah is living proof of CMT reliability. As the official service technician, he is always ready to respond to machine issues.
Fortunately (or unfortunately for Noah), there aren’t any.
Over time, Noah has built an impressive collection of origami and a fully operational paper airplane testing program. His current challenge: achieving sustained flight across the shop floor without interference from Bernie’s “thermal currents.”
Running Notes:
- Logged 0 service calls (still updating the spreadsheet daily)
- Holds the shop record for longest paper airplane flight
- Blames Marc’s “walkabout drafts” for flight inconsistencies
- Keeps tools polished “just in case”
Frank Krembel Jr
Founder | Original Over-Engineer | “Make It Heavier” Visionary
Frank didn’t just found Columbia Marking Tools — he overbuilt it from day one.
A German immigrant with an engineer’s mind and a sharp sense of humor, Frank believed machines should be designed to work hard, last long, and never let the customer down. If something could be made stronger, tougher, or more reliable, Frank made sure it was. Usually with extra steel, extra thought, and absolutely no patience for shortcuts.
His design philosophy was simple: build machines “like brick shithouses.” Not exactly brochure language, but still one of the most accurate technical descriptions in company history.
Frank saw “overbuilt” not as criticism, but as a badge of honor. His machines were made for real shops, real production, and real abuse — engineered with the kind of practical wisdom that only comes from someone who understood that reliability is never optional.
Running Notes:
- Added material “just to be safe”
- Believed cheap shortcuts always become expensive problems
- Considered “overbuilt” the highest compliment
- Designed equipment to outlast trends, budgets, and sometimes buildings
- Set the standard for CMT durability from the very beginning
Today, every Columbia Marking Tools machine still carries Frank’s legacy: solid, dependable, and built to keep going long after lesser equipment gives up.
About Columbia Marking Tools
Precision Marking Solutions Built for Performance and Reliability.
Columbia Marking Tools is a leading provider of industrial marking systems and solutions, specializing in high-performance equipment for permanent part marking, traceability, and manufacturing identification. We design and manufacture advanced marking technologies that help businesses improve efficiency, ensure compliance, and maintain product integrity—all proudly Made in the USA.
Our product range includes dot peen marking machines, laser marking systems, scribe marking tools, and roll marking equipment—all engineered for durability and precision. Built and assembled in the United States, these solutions are trusted across industries such as automotive, aerospace, metal fabrication, and heavy equipment manufacturing, where accurate and long-lasting markings are critical.
At Columbia Marking Tools, we build equipment for the real world—not the showroom floor. Our systems are designed to integrate seamlessly into production lines, handle demanding environments, and keep running long after the shift ends. From fully automated systems to custom-engineered solutions, everything we produce is crafted in the USA with hands-on quality control and real-world performance in mind.
Because where it’s made matters—and at CMT, it’s made right.
Over the years, our customers have come up with a few names for our machines. We don’t print them in brochures—but we hear them often enough:
- “The Little Dynamo” – small footprint, serious output
- “The Miracle Marker” – because it just won’t quit
- “The Night Shift” – runs so reliably, it’s almost forgotten
- “Set It & Forget It” – not our slogan, but we’ve heard worse
- “The Brick” – built exactly how it sounds
One of our barstock marking systems has developed a reputation of its own—reliably feeding marked material into 24 CNC machining centers without missing a beat. That’s not a demo. That’s production.
And quality doesn’t stop at borders. In high-volume manufacturing environments around the world—including China—the Mite-E-Mark has become a go-to solution for consistent, high-production marking. When uptime matters and scrap isn’t an option, it earns its place quickly.
We take pride in our work, and we take it seriously—but not too seriously. Around here, a good mark and a good joke are both appreciated. We aim to get both right the first time.
Our Mission
Columbia Marking Tools’ mission is to remain a recognized leader in providing identification equipment, engineering services, and complete marking solutions. We are committed to supporting our customers’ requirements by delivering cost-effective, ethical, reliable, and high-quality solutions that provide real economic value.
At the same time, we strive to sustain a challenging and rewarding work environment that recognizes and supports our greatest asset—our employees.
We don’t build light-duty equipment. We build machines that go to work—and stay there. Built like a brick… because anything less doesn’t belong on the floor.
Columbia Marking Tools Marking Machines and Tooling.
From Hand Stamps to Lasers!
