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.