History
Chapco, founded in 1964 by Charles Hurd and Al Pross, was originally a machining shop specializing in centrifugal castings. The business began in a small converted garage on route 154 in Chester. Through hard work and sacrifice, the company enjoyed steady growth, employing five people after the first two years.
In 1966, they had an opportunity to move into a new building that was being constructed on 20 Denlar Drive. Having outgrown the garage, they moved into this modern 5000 square foot facility. This move allowed the company to pursue other customers, which lead to landing
an IBM account. In the early days, Charlie and Al tended to quote work they had no idea how they were going to manufacture. It was this "business plan" that required them to purchase some sheet metal equipment, having successfully bid and won IBM's heat sink business requirements. This heat transfer assembly
enabled the early IBM computers to be water cooled.
Mark Rice, one of the
former owners, joined the company in 1966, working part time as a tool & die maker. Upon returning from his stint with the US Navy in 1973, Mark joined Chapco full time and became a certified tool and die maker. The last of the original partners passed away in 1975 and Mark Rice purchased the company from the estate in 1976. Since then, the concentration has shifted from machining and sheet metal fabrication to predominately sheet metal. Between 1976 and 1982, the company continued to grow from 10 employees to 35 employees on two shifts.
In 1987, Robert Weinstein joined the organization as a partner. Since becoming a part of Chapco, Robert has helped guide the company through 14 years of steady growth. We outgrew the facility at 20 Denlar Drive and moved into an air-conditioned 15,000 square foot building located at 10 Denlar Drive in 1997. With the acquisition of some "state-of-the-art" laser, punching, bending, hardware insertion and inspection equipment, Chapco has experienced a significant increase in capabilities and business opportunities. This has resulted
in additional growth in the facility with a 5250 square foot addition. Chapco currently employs over
fifty people working two full shifts, serving hundreds of accounts.
