Rockford Toolcraft Inc

06/09/2026

We are proud to honor Tom Johnson, our first employee (other than Jerry & Tom Busse) to reach 40 years of service!

Tom started part-time in August of 1985, at the beginning of his senior year in high school.

He started full-time on June 9th, 1986.

He went through the 10,000-hour Tool & Die Apprenticeship program & spent several years building dies.

In 1994, he was promoted to Assistant Foreman working with and training our younger Apprentices. In 1996, he was promoted to our Die Design department.

In 1998, he was promoted to Engineering Manager, the position he serves today.

We are grateful and would like to thank Tom for his 40 years of dedication to Rockford Toolcraft, Inc!

**Tom is pictured with RTI President, Tom Busse, and Vice President, Anthony Busse.

He is being presented a $10,000.00 bonus check for reaching this impressive milestone!

05/28/2026

Rockford Toolcraft will always show up in numbers to celebrate our apprentices! Last night, we had the opportunity to celebrate the graduation of 2 of our 10 current apprentices at the Rock River Valley Tooling & Machining Association Graduation Banquet! Pictured are several RTI managers and all 10 apprentices!

05/28/2026

Congratulations Quintin McGee and Dalton Stucker! Both started their Tool and Die Apprenticeship in 2022. Since that time, they have completed 4 years of college classes while also logging nearly 10,000 hours of on the job training. These accomplishments have earned them their Apprenticeship Completion Certificate and the title of Tool and Die Maker! Quintin and Dalton are pictured with Rockford Toolcraft Owner, Tom Busse, and Vice President, Anthony Busse.

04/28/2026

This week is National Apprenticeship Week! We are proud to have a strong Tool and Die apprenticeship program. For 50 years, Rockford Toolcraft, Inc. has been training Tool & Die Apprentices! Our Founder, Jerry Busse, current Owner/President, Tom Busse, and Vice President, Anthony Busse, have all completed the 10,000-hour Tool and Die apprenticeship! If you're interested in joining our program, apply on our website today!

To Apply: https://www.rockfordtoolcraft.com/careers/
More Info: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/national-apprenticeship-week

04/13/2026

Rockford Toolcraft celebrated 50 Years in business this past Saturday evening at the Hard Rock Casino Rockford! We are incredibly thankful for the nearly 400 employees and guests that joined in the celebration!

03/18/2026

The Rock River Valley Tooling & Machining Association (RRVTMA), the Stateline’s chapter of the NTMA, has appointed Anthony Busse of Rockford Toolcraft as Director of Membership Engagement, effective immediately. Busse represents the third generation of his family to serve on the RRVTMA Board, refl...

03/09/2026

We are proud to announce the 25th anniversary of Scott Dillard! On an employee's 25th anniversary, Rockford Toolcraft presents the employee with a Gold Eco-Drive Citizen Watch with the employee's name and a short 'Thank-you' engraved on the back! Scott is the 51st employee to receive a Gold Watch from Rockford Toolcraft!
Scott started at Rockford Toolcraft on March 5, 2001! He has worked in the Tooling department over the years and is currently the Die Repair Supervisor at Plant 2 on day shift. We would like to thank Scott for his service!

02/26/2026

After 32 years at RTI, Rick Holder is retiring. Rick is a Tool & Die Maker at Plant 2 on nights. His last day is today, February 26. Please help us thank Rick for his service as well as wish him a happy retirement!

02/20/2026

🚨Apprenticeship Opportunity🚨
Our Tool and Die Maker Apprenticeship is the first step to becoming a Journeyman Tool and Die Maker! Rockford Toolcraft is currently looking to add an Apprentice to our unparalleled Apprenticeship program! No one else in the Rock River Valley has an apprenticeship as tenured and as robust as Rockford Toolcraft!
Learn from some of the best Tool and Die Makers and other Apprentices in our program as your career takes off in a family-owned business!
Visit our careers page to apply. After applying, watch your email to schedule a day and time to take your aptitude exam! https://www.rockfordtoolcraft.com/careers/
The Apprenticeship program requires 10,000 hours of on-the-job training and 4 years of job-related college credits - ALL PAID by Rockford Toolcraft! After successful completion of the program, you will receive your Journeyman's certificate, which is endorsed by the Department of Labor!
The ideal candidate for this opportunity is interested in 1.) building with their hands, 2.) learning constantly, 3.) solving challenges / problems, and 4.) having a steady long-term career in manufacturing. No manufacturing experience is required.
Applicants will need to complete an aptitude exam (free of charge) prior to interview.
Rockford Toolcraft is proud of our employees, so we take pride in offering a complete benefit package.
We are looking for qualified candidates to start as soon as possible.
Rockford Toolcraft is an equal opportunity employer.

Welcome to Rockford Toolcraft's Career page. More than just a place to go to work!

01/29/2026

We are proud to announce the 25th anniversary of Mark Lookingland! On an employee's 25th anniversary, Rockford Toolcraft presents the employee with a Gold Eco-Drive Citizen Watch with the employee's name and a short 'Thank-you' engraved on the back! Mark is the 50th employee to receive a Gold Watch from Rockford Toolcraft!
Mark started at Rockford Toolcraft on January 29, 2001! He has worked in our CNC department over the years and is currently the CNC Manager at Plant 1 on day shift. We would like to thank Mark for his service!