On May 22, 2012 Dapco Industries received the business of year award from the Dexter Area Chamber of Commerce. The link below is an article published by DexterPatch covering the award dinner.

http://dexter.patch.com/articles/dexter-chamber-of-commerce-honors-dapco-industries-as-2012-business-of-the-year

In September 2009 DAPCO Industries purchased the assets of AJ Williams Manufacturing Company, a leading manufacturer of refrigeration shut off valves and custom fittings. DAPCO Industries is very excited about this opportunity to diversify into a new markets and we believe that this product line fits well within our core competencies.

Earlier this year, DAPCO Industries celebrated its sixty-fifth anniversary. The company was started in 1943, by Ward Tupper in downtown Dexter, Michigan opening our doors to supply American Armed Forces during World War II. After the war, Ward Tupper led DAPCO into the screw machine business. He specialized in a number of fuel fittings, shut off valves, and other custom components for outdoor power equipment; this is the same business niche that DAPCO Industries currently occupies. Today, DAPCO is still a family owned company that employs over 170 people and thrives in a state-of-the-art 92,000 square-foot facility.

Throughout our history, DAPCO has led local and state businesses with new initiatives. In 1979, DAPCO became one of the first two businesses in the State of Michigan to purchase and use an IBM RS-6000 mini-mainframe using our own proprietary software. In 1986 we were one of the founding members of the Dexter Area Chamber of Commerce. In 1988, DAPCO became to first business to commit and move to the newly developed Dexter Business and Research Park. Throughout the early nineties, we upgraded our manufacturing equipment with the latest CNC technology. In 1998, we upgraded our computer systems again with latest in client-based manufacturing software and all-new hardware. In 2003, we sought and received our first ISO certification, which has since been upgraded to ISO 9001:2000. Our latest initiative is creation and implementation of a lean manufacturing culture.

At DAPCO, we are proud of our rich sixty-five year history in Dexter. We have been, and plan to remain a leader in giving back to the community where we live and work. We look forward to a bright future and the challenges of an ever more competitive world market. As a DAPCO customer we want to THANK YOU for giving us the opportunity to be a partner in your business endeavors.

On March 27, 2008 Dapco Industries received the Clean Corporate Citizens Longevity Award during a ceremony in Lansing Michigan. The award was presented by the Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E Chester. This award was given to 11 Michigan facilities for maintaining their Clean Corporate Citizens (C3) status for more than five years. On November 20, 2002 DAPCO Industries became Michigan’s 53rd Clean Corporate Citizen and have continued to meet the requirements for the past five years.

The Clean Corporate Citizen program is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes Michigan’s top environmental performers. To earn Clean Corporate Citizen status a company must implement a facility specific environment management system that sets targets and objectives for continuous environmental development, adopt an active pollution prevention program that focuses on reduce-reuse-recycle, and have a consistent record of compliance with applicable state and federal environmental requirements. Through this program DAPCO Industries management and employees have been able to express their concern for the environment, and are helping to set an example for all Michigan companies on how to successfully integrate environmental efforts into everyday business operations. DAPCO Industries participation in the Clean Corporate Citizens program demonstrates that focusing on environmental management and pollution prevention goes hand-in-hand with a successful business strategy.

Earlier this year DAPCO Industries decided to begin implementing lean manufacturing practices. It all started with strong commitment from top management and a few vital goals: increase productivity, reduce inventory, improve quality, and reduce set up times. DAPCO contacted Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC) to perform a company assessment evaluating the best areas to focus lean activity. Dapco has been adopting lean techniques in all areas of the facility through “Kaizen events”. Kaizen is a Japanese word meaning “continuous improvement” or “good change”. DAPCO has already completed many Kaizen events in both their manufacturing and non-manufacturing processes.

In the short time that DAPCO Industries has been practicing lean, many of the changes have already paid off. They have experienced a decrease in inventory on certain products by 50%. DAPCO has also increased throughput and decreased led time by developing manufacturing cells. In addition DAPCO Industries has raised the level of standardization, error proofing, and 5S in many of their processes. One thing that has really helped DAPCO make this change such a success is their employees. Every employee received some level of training through MMTC.  DAPCO employees have truly gotten involved and taken the initiative to make lean a positive culture change. We will keep you updated on the different lean events happening at DAPCO Industries over the next few months.