{"id":48,"date":"2026-02-07T16:50:16","date_gmt":"2026-02-07T16:50:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.LALaser.com\/?page_id=48"},"modified":"2026-02-16T16:16:44","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T16:16:44","slug":"company-history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.LALaser.com\/index.php\/company-history\/","title":{"rendered":"Company History"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Company History of LA Laser<\/h1>\n\n\n
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National Seal Works, Inc.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Our story begins 135 years ago, in the year 1891- the so-called Gilded Age of American industrial and cultural growth. National Seal Works, Inc. was born of a pivotal $400 investment made by Harry Reinhard that allowed him to acquire the company from an acquaintance named Lewis Rich. It may sound like a small amount, but that\u2019s over $146,000 in today\u2019s dollars. Only 12 years after Edison developed the incandescent light bulb, America’s technological advances had created a growing middle class. People were embracing consumerism as the economy boomed and the rise of entrepreneurship became an essential driver of economic growth. Opportunities abounded in various sectors, particularly as industrialization spurred the creation of new businesses and the expansion of existing ones.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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National Seal Works quickly became an unwavering pillar of the community by catering to the diverse needs of businesses in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. Most businesses primarily relied on rudimentary promotional methods like printed media and lower-quality bespoke products such as badges and ribbons. Recognizing the ever-evolving needs of businesses, Harry made sure to brace for changes. National Seal Works underwent a transformative journey, employing innovative techniques to craft products that empowered American companies in an increasingly competitive global market. A book titled “How to Make Rubber Stamps for Profit” printed in 1891 provides plenty of proof that Harry faced plenty of competition along with all that opportunity.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Creative Advertisements from throughout time advertising in Richmond Times Dispatch.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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The Second Generation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

National Seal Works specialized primarily in rubber stamps and notary stamps – that is, until Harry\u2019s son, Meyer Reinhard took over with an eye to do more. Meyer expanded the company\u2019s offerings to include office supplies, envelopes, custom stamps, embossing seals<\/a>, and specialty printing. Although most of these early products cost just a few cents each, sales were strong. The company continued to thrive under the ever-innovating stewardship of the next generation of the Reinhard family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Robert Reinhard<\/a> took over the business after his father, Meyer, stepped down. A World War II veteran with a purple heart, he ran the company with a military resolve. His determination and resilience would provide just what the company needed to survive the coming years. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Hard Times Come and Go in Company History Records<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In 1955, the building succumbed to a devastating fire. It resulted in a total loss and eventual demolition of the original building in downtown Richmond. Ironically, this fire is part of why we have so many records of the original building. Undeterred by the setback, Robert vowed to keep the company alive. The company reopened in a new building on West Marshall street near present-day VCU just one month later.
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\"NATIONAL<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

National Marking Products, Inc. Company History<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The company\u2019s adaptable nature allowed continued growth. In 1969 National Seal Works moved to its current location at 5606 Greendale Road in Lakeside, Virginia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So much of this dynamic history is preserved thanks to an oral company history of National Seal Works<\/a> that Robert recorded not long before he passed. Much of what we know is thanks to this gift he left to future generations. He said, \u201cI thought some evenings when I was working, that maybe he (Harry) overpaid slightly for it.\u201d Despite this sardonic opinion, he grew the company and left his son with something greater than he’d inherited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next at the helm was Richard \u201cRick\u201d Reinhard, who assumed Robert’s mantle of leadership, and keeping up the family tradition, he spearheaded a period of rapid expansion. Rick was responsible for creating new corporate divisions including National Marking Products, Inc. and Industrial Decals Now, which focused on digital graphics, labels, decals, and specialty printing. His interest in Pad Printing<\/a> led to the establishment of Pad Printing Pros and Distinked Impressions, which was originally an art stamp division that specialized in innovative product packaging solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The Technological Age<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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As the world entered the age of the internet and exponentially quickly developing technologies, new methods of marketing and production began to surface. As the fifth generation began to take the reins, it hitched the company\u2019s wagon to this new, tech-driven horse. Though the 2020s look a bit different from the 1890s, the spirit remains the same. Aaron Reinhard, the current CEO, and son of Rick Reinhard, leads with equal parts passion, innovation, creativity, and an uncanny ability to harness his – and his customers’ – dreams. A visionary with more ideas in an afternoon than most entertain in a lifetime, Aaron has transformed National Marking Products into Laser Engraving Pros<\/a>, the proud parent company of a suite of complimentary brands<\/a> that are innovating on behalf of a new generation of clients and customers. We are still \u201cthe House of Good Impressions\u201d even if those impressions are made by lasers<\/a> instead of rubber stamps.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cExpanding from indelible ink to the even more indelible and infinitely more legible lasers was entirely about giving the customers what they wanted and needed,\u201d Aaron said, of his shift to laser engraving<\/a> and cutting<\/a>. \u201cWe can do it faster, better, with literal laser-sure precision<\/a>, and with a nearly endless and always expanding creative ability<\/a> to make customer dreams a reality – no matter how big those dreams might be.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Laser Engraving Pros<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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He means that quite literally. Laser Engraving Pros<\/a> boasts a range of lasers for cutting and engraving that range from desktop arrays to systems that fill entire bays of the company\u2019s three facilities that let Laser Engraving Pros better serve its nationwide customer base. Expansion to a nationwide footprint, says Aaron, has allowed faster and more efficient delivery of products to its customers. \u201cWe already served clients nationwide,\u201d says Aaron. \u201cNow, rather than making them come to us, we\u2019ve moved in next door<\/a> to better partner with them in making their projects rapid, real, right to spec.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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After 135 years and 5 generations, the company can no longer be described simply as a small family-owned printing company. Laser Engraving Pros stands as a leader of innovation in custom laser engraving nationwide. Now with three bases of operations in Los Angeles<\/a>, Orlando<\/a>, and Richmond<\/a>, Laser Engraving Pros lets every customer of every size access the exact products they need in a timely manner anywhere in the US. Whether you need just one custom engraved water bottle<\/a> as a gift for a coworker, or you have a rush order for thousands of custom engraved UL-approved labeling tags<\/a> for the construction of a data center<\/a>, Laser Engraving Pros is ready to help you make your mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Expanding Horizons<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The company has continued to diversify and innovate, adding a department that engraves plastic<\/a> and metal tags<\/a>, another that specializes in engraved switchplates<\/a>, a department that specializes in engraved tumblers<\/a>, all in addition to the department focused on specialty laser-cutting<\/a> of metal items and parts. These departments are flanked by smaller, more niche services. Some of these niche offerings include wood engraving<\/a>, glass engraving<\/a>, knife engraving<\/a>, and other specialty engraving services. There is also an entire department that specializes in creating industrial-quality stencils<\/a> suitable for commercial and government use.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Laser Train<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To keep this laser train moving at top speed, Aaron Reinhard spends most of his time on the road. Joined by his dog, he blogs about his travels<\/a> and the trials and tribulations – and joys – of running a 135-yer-old company from a Sprinter Van. He meets interesting people from all walks of life in his travels – whether they’re corporate heads or cafe customers – and has recruited specialists of all kinds to build the professional team that is Laser Engraving Pros. Each member of the LEP family is highly skilled, and receives regular exposure to continuing education – not to mention ridiculously cool projects – so that you get high quality products quickly and reliably every time.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although it may seem that Laser Engraving Pros has come a long way from that original little company that specialized in products that cost just cents a piece, it still embodies the same spirit of resilience that the Reinhards showed in the aftermath of the fire of 1955, and over and over again as marketing products changed and adapted with the times. Laser Engraving Pros has a rich heritage with deep roots that reach not just deep into the past, but spread wide over many different industries, and now many different states. With a healthy dose of humor and humility, Aaron Reinhard has managed to enter new markets and push the family business to places that his great-great-grandfather maybe would never have imagined – but certainly wouldn’t have hesitated to try his hand at.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"NATIONAL<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
Click The Image Link Below for Further Reading on the Oldest Businesses in Richmond: You know We’re on it!<\/h6>\n\n\n
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\"National<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\u2013 CONTACT US \u2013<\/strong><\/h2>\n

GET A QUOTE !<\/a><\/p>\n

REQUEST A SAMPLE!<\/a><\/p>\n

EMAIL US !!<\/a><\/p>\n

(800) 482-1553<\/h2>\n

Talk to a real Person.<\/p>\n

Monday \u2013 Friday 9am \u2013 5pm EST.<\/p>\n

Check out our Satellite Sites :<\/p>\n

Laser.us<\/a><\/p>\n

Metaltagmaker.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Lasercuttingpros.net<\/a><\/p>\n

Laserengravingpros.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Company History of LA Laser National Seal Works, Inc. Our story begins 135 years ago, in the year 1891- the so-called Gilded Age of American industrial and cultural growth. National Seal Works, Inc. was born of a pivotal $400 investment made by Harry Reinhard that allowed him to acquire the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-48","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.LALaser.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/48","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.LALaser.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.LALaser.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.LALaser.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.LALaser.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=48"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.LALaser.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/48\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":173,"href":"https:\/\/www.LALaser.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/48\/revisions\/173"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.LALaser.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=48"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}