28 NEW JOBS COMING TO WASHINGTON COUNTY
Hapco Pole Products Builds on 50 Years of Success
Richmond, VA – Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that Hapco Pole Products is expanding their Washington County manufacturing operation. The expansion will create 28 new jobs and bring $6 million in capital investment to create a new 60,000 square foot manufacturing facility.
The Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission approved a $95,000 Tobacco Region Opportunity Fund grant to assist with this project.
Tobacco Commission member, Secretary of Commerce and Trade Todd Haymore said, “Hapco Pole Products has long been a valuable corporate steward in Washington County, and the addition of a 60,000-square-foot manufacturing facility to its campus reinforces the company’s commitment to the region and to Virginia. With more than 240,000 Virginians employed in manufacturing, Hapco will continue to benefit from a skilled workforce and tailored training programs to support this thriving industry. We’re proud to have Hapco on the Commonwealth’s corporate roster, and look forward to the next 50 years.”
Tobacco Commission member, Senator Bill Carrico added, “The announced expansion of Hapco Pole Products is welcome news for Washington County. For more than five decades, Hapco has been creating jobs for Southwest Virginians, and this expansion will allow them to create more. I applaud the Tobacco Commission’s decision to award these funds for a project that will result in more than $6 million in capital investment, 28 new jobs and more square footage for Hapco facilities. This is a great victory for Hapco, the Tobacco Commission, and all of Southwest Virginia.”
Hapco has a long history dating to 1843 when its parent corporation, Hubbard and Company, originated as a national manufacturer of forgings and stampings to the utility industry. A major contributor to the emerging telephone and power industries of the late 19th century, their commitment to “offering products of the highest quality at ever-increasing service levels” established Hubbard as the leading company in these growing fields. In 1951, Hubbard established a new division, the Hubbard Aluminum Products Company (HAPCO), and offered its first line of aluminum lighting poles and brackets in August of that same year. The superior properties of aluminum poles were immediately embraced by the market, with Hapco seeing significant growth during these early years. Hapco was acquired by its current owner Dyson-Kissner-Moran (DKM) in 1958, and the original Pittsburg, Pennsylvania facility was moved to its present-day location in Abingdon, Virginia in 1962.
Fred Vermeer, President/CEO, Hapco said, “Our investment in this new facility reflects the strength of our business and our commitment to Abingdon, VA. With almost 55 years in the same location, Hapco has maintained a significant manufacturing presence in our industry, and we look forward to building on that legacy through this important increase of our manufacturing capabilities. With this growth, our skilled workforce will continue to vigorously pursue Hapco’s original commitment of ‘the highest quality’ in the pole products industry.”
Randy Pennington, Chairman of the Washington County Board of Supervisors added, “Hapco has maintained operations in Washington County for over half a century. The company’s continued commitment to job creation and investment in our community is most certainly exciting and welcome news.”
The Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission is committed to bringing jobs and investment to Southern and Southwest Virginia. Companies like Hapco Pole Products that have shown a long term commitment to the region and its economy are essential as we strive to develop a diverse economy in the areas we serve.
Contact: Jordan Butler
Telephone: 804-786-7692
Cell: 757-692-0878
Email: jbutler@revitalizeva.org
Website: www.revitalizeva.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
8/29/2017