1964 | FOUNDED
Chapco Established
Founded by Charlie Hurd and Al Pross as a machine shop and steel fabricator.
1987 | FAMILY OWNERSHIP
Bob Weinstein Joins
Bob Weinstein buys Chapco out of Chapter 11; the 12th employee, with 20+ years in manufacturing, marketing and management.
1993 | AUTOMATION
Strippit CNC Punches
Two new high-speed Strippit punches bring computer-automated fabrication to the floor.
1995 | EXPANSION
10 Denlar Drive
Outgrowing number 20, Chapco expands into a new 13,000 sq ft building next door.
1998 | AUTOMATION
Trumpf 2530 CNC Laser
Our first automated work center: a Trumpf 2530 CNC laser cutter with a 4 by 8 foot table.
2000 | GROWTH
The Next Generation
Brian Weinstein joins his father Bob as Production Coordinator, securing the plan for the future.
2001 | AUTOMATION
Strippit Global 20 Turret
10,000 sq ft added across both buildings; a Strippit Global turret with autoloader brings lights-out capability.
2004 | EXPANSION
The Full Denlar Campus
Chapco takes over the entire Denlar Drive campus: 30,000 sq ft of manufacturing space.
2005 | INVESTMENT
Accurpress 175-Ton Brake
A 175-ton, 12-foot press brake adds bending for the larger, thicker metal we could now laser cut.
2007 | GROWTH
Vertical Integration
Our first product company, Cooksafe, later Denlar Fire Protection: Chapco fabricates, Denlar assembles and markets.
2008 | INNOVATION
Machine Shop Expansion
CNC milling, turning and cutoff added to the expanded machine shop.
2008 | INNOVATION
Pipeline Award
Chapco wins the Connecticut Technology Council’s Pipeline Innovation Award.
2012 | SUCCESSION
Brian Becomes President
Bob retires after 35 years; Brian becomes President, securing a clear path to strategic growth.
2013 | INNOVATION
Trueform Runner
Trueform becomes our second product company: a curved, non-motorized treadmill trusted by elite athletes including Tom Brady.
2014 | INVESTMENT
Acquisition
Fastcorp Vending, a leader in robotic vending, becomes our third collaborative company built on Chapco fabrication.
2014 | INVESTMENT
Inspiration Lane
A 40,000 sq ft assembly facility added at Inspiration Lane.
2014 | INVESTMENT
Automation
At Denlar Drive, an LVD Strippit punch and a Trumpf 3030 fiber laser add more lights-out capacity.
2015 | AWARDS
CT SBA Export Award
Named Connecticut Small Business Exporter of the Year by the U.S. SBA.
2017 | AUTOMATION
Trumpf 7000 Bend Cell
A Trumpf 7000 robotic bend cell adds forming capacity, ideal for high-volume mid-sized parts.
2018 | AWARDS & ACQUISITIONS
SBA Award
Chapco named the SBA’s Connecticut and New England Manufacturer of the Year.
2018 | AWARDS & ACQUISITIONS
ETI Acquired
Esico-Triton joins the portfolio: a 90-year local maker of hand-held soldering tools.
2020 | COMMUNITY
Commitment
Essential staff worked through the pandemic, keeping mission-critical customers supplied and donating over 100,000 metal nose pieces for homemade face masks.
2022 | CERTIFICATION
JCP & CMMC
Cleared for mission-critical defense work; Chapco begins supplying GD Electric Boat.
2023 | INVESTMENT
Trumatic 6000
A $1.6M Trumpf Trumatic 6000 punch-laser combination brings fast, high-quality, full lights-out processing.
2023 | AWARDS
Manufacturer of the Year
Chapco named the Middlesex Chamber’s Manufacturer of the Year.
2024 | AUTOMATION
Age-Regulated Vending
Fastcorp introduces the DIVI age-regulated vending machine: safer unattended retail of regulated products.
2025 | CERTIFICATION
ISO 9001:2015
Our quality management system is certified to ISO 9001:2015; Denlar Fire Protection is sold to focus on defense and high-tech.
2026 | EXPANSION
Home at 12 Bridge Street
In January 2026 the whole workforce comes together under one roof; five new weld-bays expand capacity as we pursue NAVSEA welding certification.
2027 | CERTIFICATION
On Track
On track for CMMC 2 and NAVSEA welding certification, and more. Watch this space.
Closing: Established 1964. Family owned since 1987.
ISO 9001:2015. ITAR-registered. Pursuing NAVSEA and CMMC 2.
Manufacturing partnerships, not just parts.
