Hapco History

Authorized

Today, Hapco, Inc. is an authorized heat tool sales, service and repair center, and one of the few distributors who provide turnkey systems design and engineering services to customers in the United States, Canada, Mexico and South America.

Experienced

Our company dates back to 1938 as East Akron Tarp & Awning Co. With the acquisition of plastic welding products in 1980, we transitioned to our current, well-respected name: Hapco, Inc.

Expanding

We’ve since grown to become one of the largest industrial heat tool distributors in the Americas with exports worldwide. And we’re still growing and expanding.

Adding the Top Welding, Power Equipment Brands

Master Distributor

In 2008, we became a master distributor in the United States, Canada, Mexico and South America for the world famous brand, BAK Thermoplastic Welding Technology AG.

Power Equipment Dealer

In 2009, focusing our marketing on the Marcellus and Utica Shale Gas Industry, we became a full service Honda Power Equipment and Demtech Services, Inc. dealer.

Generator Dealer

We are a Kubota Generator Dealer and a product distributor for Rong Kuang Electric, Wuxi Bada Fusion Welders, Briggs & Stratton, Gillette and Wacker Neuson.

Largest BAK Distributor

In 2011, we acquired American Plastic Welding Technologies to become the largest BAK distributor in the world.

Customers rely on our products for their performance and reliability, as well as our unmatched service for plastic and process heat applications.

Hapco History

1938 – The Founding

Hapco, Inc was founded in Akron, Ohio as East Akron Tarp and Awning Co.

1960 – Name Change

The name changed to Tarpco, Inc. in the mid 1960’s as it moved away from awning manufacturing to concentrate in the tarpaulin market.

1960s – Growing

During the next 20 years, Tarpco became one of the largest U.S. tarpaulin manufacturers, with customers in the trucking, trailer, railroad, and custom tarp industries.

1980 – Manufacturing

The first Hapco Rotary Hot Air Welder was designed and manufactured.

1983 – Name Change

As the company entered the plastic welding industry, the name changed to Hapco, Inc which stands for Hot Air Products Company with Tarpco becoming a subsidiary.

1980s – Rapid Growth

Hapco experienced rapid growth during the next 20 years as one of the largest industrial heat tool distributors in North America, with exports worldwide.

2008 – Distribution

Hapco became a master distributor for BAK/Dohle Thermoplastic Welding Technology AG in both the United States, Canada, Mexico, and South America. Modifications were made to our HT flameless welding box to support the next generation of aircraft for the Department of Defense.

2009 – Honda Dealer

Hapco is recognized by Honda as the first non-showroom dealer in the nation for its role in power generation for the construction industry.

2010 – Oil, Shale & Gas

Hapco actively engaged in sales and service of plastic welding, extrusion welders, and pipe fusion equipment to the shale gas and oil industry.

2011 – World’s Largest

Hapco acquired American Plastic Welding Technologies, Hewitt, TX to become the largest BAK EXPANSION & WARRANTY 2013 distributor in the world.

2013 – Expansion & Warranty

Hapco added warehouses in California and Canada. A new 3-year extended warranty is introduced, not only an industry first, but an industry exclusive adding 2 years to the manufactures warranty.

2014 – Additive Mfg.

Hapco sold the first ExOn 8 to Oakridge National Laboratories, solidifying Hapco’s position in additive manufacturing.

2016 – Premier Service Dealer

Hapco named Honda Premier service dealer while continuing to grow and develop new products in new markets throughout the America.

2017 – Women in Roofing

Women in Roofing is formed with Hapco as a Founding member. In the same year, Hapco is presented with the Silver Environmental Leadership award from Honda.

2018 – Ownership Change

Chuck George takes complete ownership of Hapco and its subsidiaries.

2019 – Laron H

During the IRE show in Nashville, Hapco unveiled BAK’s LarOn H as the world’s fastest overlap welder.

2020 – Micon E

Hapco introduced the MicOn E During the IRE show in Dallas, as the world’s first stand up compact semi-automatic welder weighing only15 lbs.