April 17, 2025
Last week, I met up with McKenzie Reed who manufactures some bad ass machines and sells them to wholesale sign manufacturers.
I had the opportunity to tour his facility in Bel Glade, Florida and see firsthand the innovative work they’re doing.
Manufacturing in the USA
Manufacturing in the USA is a hot topic right now. And for good reason – companies like CLN of South Florida are proving that American manufacturing is not just alive, but thriving with innovation and cutting-edge technology.
Inside CLN of South Florida
McKenzie Reed, the owner of CLN of South Florida runs a 100% manufacturing operation specializing in three-axis CNC router tables and a machine called a channel letter bender.
Their flagship product, the Fusion, boasts a patent making it the fastest machine in the industry.
During my visit, I also witnessed their 5×10 graphics finisher in its finishing stages – literally watching a machine building itself.
These aren’t small-scale operations either; CLN sells these machines to large industrial scale wholesale sign manufacturers, including Fortune 500 companies.
Technology Behind Industrial Signs
The machinery at CLN is designed specifically for the sign industry.
Their two flagship products work in tandem:
- The Fusion plus channel letter machine bends channel letter return, which gives industrial signs their structure.
- The CNC router tables cut the faces and backs of the signs.
Customers typically purchase multiple machines at once, allowing them to complete industrial exterior signs from start to finish.
The process is impressive: the Fusion bends the coil, the routers cut the faces and backs, then these pieces are assembled, clinched in the back, and the result is an industrial letter ready to illuminate the exterior of buildings.
American Innovation
What struck me most during the tour was seeing American manufacturing innovation in action.
Every machine is built on-site, and the team was preparing to showcase their work at the Industrial Sign Association Sign Expo, their largest trade show of the year.
Despite McKenzie towering over me during the tour (I looked like an ant next to him!), the experience was enlightening and showcased the precision and quality that goes into these American-made machines.
Supporting US Manufacturing
If there’s one thing my visit to CLN of South Florida reinforced, it’s that we need more U.S. manufacturers like McKenzie and his team.
Companies creating specialized, innovative machinery that serves other American businesses are the backbone of a strong manufacturing sector.
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