Inside MB Sentinel’s Waterjet Approach to Scaling Secure Package Delivery

MB Sentinel^® began with a simple observation: the growth of residential package delivery had outpaced the security to make it reliable. How many of us have seen videos of thieves stealing packages only to be glitter bombed? Seeing a need, MB Sentinel designed secure personal drop boxes for home delivery, precision-cut on OMAX waterjet systems to ensure durability, clean edges, and consistent quality. “Our products serve residential homeowners, builders, architects, and landscape designers looking for secure, design-forward delivery solutions,” said Jeff Kutas, MB Sentinel’s co-inventor and founder.

Founded in 2019, MB Sentinel has grown into a seven-person operation operating out of a 5,000-square-foot facility in Stephenville, Texas. From the beginning, the company’s approach was shaped by a gap they saw in the market. Most delivery boxes, Kutas said, were either too small to be practical, awkward to install, or visually disconnected from the homes they were meant to serve. In many cases, products prioritized novelty or electronics over durability and real-world fit.

MB Sentinel took a different route. The company began designing package safes that could accommodate most common parcel sizes while integrating cleanly into curbside, wall, fence, and multifamily environments. Rather than approaching the product as a consumer gadget, the team treated it as part of the environment. Ease of use, accessibility, and privacy were prioritized over features for their own sake. Products are built to order and designed to align with how homes are planned and constructed, including compatibility with widely used video doorbell systems.

Early demand validated the approach. As home delivery accelerated and consumers became more aware of the risk between a package being dropped off and retrieved, MB Sentinel’s products sat squarely at the intersection of timing and necessity. The problem was no longer hypothetical. Secure delivery, once a niche concern, had become an everyday consideration for homeowners and designers alike.

Growth, however, brought new manufacturing challenges. In the company’s early stages, MB Sentinel relied on outside suppliers to cut metal components. As order volume increased, that model began to show its limits. “As our business grew, outsourcing cutting was no longer efficient or scalable. We needed a sustainable, in-house solution to meet increasing demand,” Kutas explained. Lead times were harder to manage, revisions required coordination across multiple vendors, and the ability to iterate quickly was constrained by external schedules.

To address those bottlenecks, the company evaluated several options for bringing cutting operations in-house. Ultimately, MB Sentinel opted for an abrasive waterjet system. “We evaluated options, but ultimately chose OMAX for its reliability, precision, and strong customer support,” Kutas said.

The company installed a MAXIEM 1530 equipped with a 30-horsepower pump. The MAXIEM 1530 is designed for precision cutting across a wide range of materials without introducing heat or mechanical stress. Using a high-pressure stream of water mixed with abrasive, the system cuts shapes directly from sheet or plate. This makes it well suited for materials MB Sentinel uses regularly, including aluminum and stainless steel, as well as materials that can be challenging for more traditional cutting methods.

Bringing abrasive waterjet cutting in-house represented a turning point for the operation. “Investing in a waterjet allowed us to take control of production, improve lead times, and maintain consistent quality,” said Kutas. “Beyond efficiency, it gave us greater flexibility in design and faster iteration capabilities, allowing us to innovate and respond to market demands more quickly.” Internal control meant production schedules could be adjusted in real time, prototype changes could be made without delay, and quality standards were consistently maintained without relying on external interpretation.

Today, the waterjet plays a central role in daily production. “We use the waterjet to cut precision components for our package delivery safes, ensuring clean edges and tight tolerances across aluminum and stainless-steel parts that are later formed and assembled in-house.” The ability to cut accurately across different materials has helped standardize core components while still allowing for customization across product lines. Parts arrive at forming and assembly with minimal rework, supporting a more predictable manufacturing flow.

That flexibility has become increasingly important as demand continues to evolve. “We are seeing increased demand for secure, design-integrated delivery solutions as e-commerce continues to grow,” Kutas said. “Customers and designers are prioritizing both security and aesthetics, which aligns with our product offering.” In practice, that means manufacturing systems need to support variation without introducing delays or quality tradeoffs.

Looking ahead, MB Sentinel’s focus remains on controlled growth. “We are continuing to expand our product line while supporting growing demand across residential and design-driven markets. Our focus remains on scaling production and enhancing our in-house manufacturing capabilities.” Rather than chasing volume alone, the company is investing in processes that allow it to grow while maintaining consistency.

For MB Sentinel, the MAXIEM 1530 has become a foundational tool in that effort. “The waterjet has been critical to our ability to scale. Without it, we would not be able to keep up with current order volume,” said Kutas. “It allows us to maintain speed, quality, and flexibility—key factors in staying competitive.” As demand for secure, integrated delivery infrastructure continues to rise, that balance between precision, adaptability, and in-house control will likely remain central to the company’s trajectory.

At the time of writing this article, MB Sentinel has been recognized for its manufacturing growth and operational focus, having been awarded the SBA Dallas/Fort Worth District 2026 Small Business Manufacturer of the Year. The designation reflects the company’s continued investment in domestic manufacturing, workforce development, and scalable production processes as it expands its product line and responds to sustained demand in residential and design-driven markets.

Check out MB Sentinel at their website here to find your security drop box solution.