Cardinal Instruments

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Overview

Cardinal Scale Manufacturing Company, operating as Cardinal/Detecto, manufactures weighing products and systems including scales for healthcare, foodservice, and shipping industries. Headquartered in Webb City, Missouri, USA, it distributes to over 110 countries and holds ISO-9001 certification through its Detecto Scale division. The company featured on TV shows 'How It’s Made' and 'World’s Greatest!' and serves as a federal contract recipient.

History

Established in 1950 by founder William H. Perry in Webb City, Missouri. Cardinal Scale merged or operates alongside Detecto Scale, founded in 1900 as the largest U.S. medical scale manufacturer. Federally registered in June 2000, it continues production from its Missouri factory.

Product Lines

Product Line	Positioning	Price Range
Healthcare Scales	Medical and patient weighing	$200 - $5,000
Foodservice Scales	Portion control and prep	$100 - $2,000
Shipping Scales	Logistics and parcel weighing	$150 - $1,500
Industrial Scales	Heavy-duty platform systems	$500 - $10,000

Manufacturing

Products manufactured at the company's factory and headquarters in Webb City, Missouri, USA. In-house production for weighing systems and scales. Detecto Scale division is ISO-9001 certified.

Notable Products

Detecto Medical Scales - Line of physician and hospital scales, largest U.S. medical scale manufacturer.
Cardinal Platform Scales - Heavy-duty scales for industrial and shipping use.
Foodservice Portion Scales - Scales for food prep and service industries.
Digital Shipping Scales - Bench and floor scales for logistics.

Reputation

Perceived as a reliable U.S.-based scale manufacturer with long heritage since 1950 and global distribution. Strengths include ISO certification, in-house Missouri production, and industry-specific solutions for healthcare and logistics. No major criticisms noted in available sources; recognized for quality in federal contracts.

Sources (6)