Hapco marks 75 years with employees, retirees and expansion plans

Hapco Pole Products celebrated its 75th anniversary on Sept. 19 in Abingdon, Virginia, with more than 300 employees, retirees, guests and company leaders. The milestone comes as the manufacturer invests in a new Oklahoma City plant expected to start operations in late 2027 and add more than 80 jobs.

Why it matters: - Hapco’s 75th anniversary highlights the company’s long-standing role in U.S. manufacturing and the relationships that have supported its business for generations. - The celebration also comes as Hapco expands domestic capacity, which could widen its reach across transportation, utility, municipal, commercial, industrial and OEM markets.

What happened: - Hapco Pole Products celebrated its 75th anniversary on Saturday, Sept. 19, in Abingdon, Virginia. - More than 300 employees, retirees, guests and company leadership attended. - President and CEO Tom Hardy welcomed current employees, guests, returning retirees, business partners and representatives from Dyson-Kissner-Moran Corporation, Hapco’s parent company. - Hapco was founded in 1951.

The details: - The anniversary event recognized generations of employees who helped build Hapco’s business. - Rich Brooks, vice president of operations, said people remember the friendships, mentors and teammates who helped them succeed. - The event also brought together multiple generations of leadership from DKM. - Rob Dyson said he first visited Hapco at age 13 with his father, Charles H. Dyson, who founded DKM. - Rob Dyson returned for the celebration with his son, Chris Dyson. - Chris Dyson became chairman and chief executive officer in June 2026. - Rob Dyson became chairman emeritus and remains on DKM’s board of directors. - Russell Lowe, Hapco vice president of sales and marketing, said the company is celebrating 75 years of relationships and credibility. - Lowe joined Hapco about 18 months ago after spending roughly 25 years as a Hapco customer. - Hapco’s customer and partner base includes agency sales partners, OEM customers, distributors, contractors, utilities and municipalities across the United States. - Hapco is a subsidiary of DKM. - The company designs and manufactures precision-engineered light poles, traffic poles, pole arms and accessories. - Hapco products are made in the United States.

Between the lines: - The anniversary event was as much about continuity as commemoration. - The attendance by retirees, current workers and multiple generations of the Dyson family signals that Hapco is leaning on institutional memory while preparing for its next phase. - The company’s focus on relationships suggests its business model depends on long-term trust with customers and public-sector buyers.

What’s next: - Hapco is celebrating its 75th anniversary throughout 2026. - In August, the company broke ground on a new 270,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Oklahoma City. - The Oklahoma City plant is expected to supplement Hapco’s Virginia operation, expand domestic manufacturing capacity and improve geographic reach. - Operations in Oklahoma City are expected to begin in late 2027. - The expansion is projected to create more than 80 new jobs.

The bottom line: - Hapco is using its 75th anniversary to showcase its history, its workforce and a growth plan built around more U.S. manufacturing.