The rugged and durable welder stood up against the flames and just needed some minor cleaning and repair.

Shari Carlozzi, National Sales Director at Hapco, Inc. recently told us how Tampa, Florida-based Arry's Roofing experienced an unfortunate truck fire. Inside the truck was their BAK LARON welder. It was scorched and blackened so they sent it away to see if it was salvageable.

Most equipment service centers would have considered the damage on the welder too extensive to repair and would have opted to sell a new $8,000 welder instead of trying to salvage the old one. Hapco was able to restore the welder to like new condition for about $1,800 - much less than having to spend $8,000 on a new one.

Watch this video of Shari giving a tour of the damaged equipment, showing how the inside was intact and untouched! The welder simply needed a clean up and some new dials and buttons and will be fully functional once again.

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Hapco, Inc. is one of the world’s largest master distributors for BAK.

Kerns, Switzerland - Hapco, Inc., a founding sponsor of the National Women in Roofing (NWIR) organization, joined BAK Thermoplastic Technologies, Ltd., in Switzerland on September 15 to celebrate the completion of BAK’s $8 million expansion project.

The company is one of the world’s largest master distributors for BAK, a leading manufacturer of plastic welding and hot air equipment that employs an 80-percent female workforce.

Both Hapco and BAK are strong advocates of diversity in the workplace. BAK has participated in every International Roofing Expo (IRE) Women in Roofing and NWIR event since 2015.

Hapco CEO Charles George was one of 100 guests invited to tour the expanded facility on the 20th anniversary of BAK’s founding. The past two decades have brought significant growth to BAK, with no signs of slowing down. The manufacturer exports 98 percent of current production to 56 countries, and expects the addition of about five countries by the end of 2017.

“This is a big challenge,” says Bruno Zurmuhle, founder/CEO of BAK. “Our manufacturing is now three-and-a-half times larger."

This growth will afford BAK the opportunity to hire more employees to manufacture key components in-house as they expedite product delivery to support their global demand.

As a family-operated business, BAK is led by Claudia Zurmuhle, corporate accounting; Cora Zurmuhle, sales and purchasing; Lara Zurmuhle, sales and marketing and Bruno Zurnuhle, CEO.

About Hapco, Inc. Hapco, Inc. is an authorized heat tool sales, service and repair center and one of the few distributors who provide turnkey systems design and engineering services to the United States, Canada, Mexico and South America. The company continues to grow becoming one of the largest industrial heat tool distributors in the Americas with exports worldwide. The performance and reliability of Hapco products provide customers with unmatched service for plastic and process heat applications. Learn more about Hapco, Inc. at www.hapcoinc.com

The distributor of the month program recognizes top-performing distributors who consistently meet and exceed expectations and goals for selling Hapco products.

Hapco, Inc., the world’s largest BAK Master Distributor, has named ABC Supply Branch #474 in Omaha, Nebraska as their August distributor of the month. Kyle Erb, Inside Sales Representative at ABC Supply, has worked in the roofing industry for 20 years, having spent time with Bradco Supply and in retail.

He understands the products in the industry and has sold other brands before his branch began carrying Hapco products nearly 10 years ago. Erb says they are very pleased with the performance and customer service that they receive from Hapco. “Before Hapco, we carried another brand and we felt like we were constantly getting bounced around between different suppliers,” explained Erb. “We never knew who to call for service or where to send the tools when they needed to be sent in for repairs.”

That’s not been the case at all with Hapco. Erb says that they have been very easy to get a hold of and that he has an inside person at Hapco that he knows will be there to answer his call. “They always take care of any issues right away and if something does need to be fixed, we know where to send it,” said Erb.

He attributes his branch’s success with the product to several factors, one of which is the support he receives from his Hapco sales rep, Tony. “He visits and helps us hold demos for the contractors to try out the welders,” explained Erb. “They have made it very easy for us and for the contractors.”

Erb says that his customers are becoming more familiar with the brand and that after they start using it, they seem to like them better than the other brands.

Contractors can learn more about Hapco products at www.hapcoinc.com and can find their local ABC Supply branch here.

Contractors are finding the BAK welders to be more dependable than others.

Not long ago the roofing industry didn’t have many options when it came to rooftop automatic and handheld welding tools. There was one brand that led the industry and everyone else just couldn’t quite measure up. Contractors were left frustrated because they felt they had no other choice – until now.

The BAK line of hot air welding equipment is gaining a strong fan base among contractors who are achieving success by using the company’s welders. Since 2008, the BAK brand has proven its Swiss quality design is the professional roofer’s choice from coast to coast.

Steve Wolfe has used and sold hot air welding equipment since the 1980s and he sees the shift happening. He explained, “I have sold the BAK equipment for several years and have watched contractors become successful, one at a time.” He said that many contractors feel like the BAK welders are a secret value and many are afraid to try because of poor performance with other brands.

“I believe that the BAK equipment is more dependable and less costly to repair, and most of all, it is supported by a team of people that care about their customers while offering a much more personal touch than their competitors,” he concluded.

Learn more about Hapco, Inc’s line of BAK Welders at www.hapcoinc.com 

The Hapco distributor of the month award recognizes top-performing distributors who consistently meet and exceed expectations and goals for selling Hapco, Inc. products.

Hapco, Inc., one of the nation’s largest industrial heat tool Master distributors, has named West End Roofing, Houston, Texas as their May Distributor of the Month.

“West End Roofing has been a great retail partner with Hapco for BAK over the past few years,” said Hapco, Inc. National Sales Manager Shari Carlozzi. “They carry a large inventory of equipment and consistently exceed our expectations. It’s a pleasure to recognize them with this distinction.”

Matt Peel, branch manager at West End Roofing, said that Hapco has made it easy to do business with them. “With Hapco, I can purchase the equipment directly from them and not have to go through another distributor,” explained Peel. “If I have questions or need information on new products, I just give Shari a call and get an answer right away. Their communication with customers is excellent.”

Contractors have great feedback on the products according to Peel and he agrees that they are top notch. “Their product offerings are really great and I especially like the kits that they offer,” he said.

Peel said his customers appreciate the service provided when a piece of equipment needs to be repaired. “Carlos Alvarez is always very helpful with my contractors,” Peel stated. “He is always available by phone to find out what’s wrong and has even gone to the job site on occasion to perform repairs. Hapco is really committed to getting contractors up and running again quickly.”

To learn more about Hapco’s products at West End Roofing, visit www.westendroofing.com. For more information on Hapco, Inc. visit www.hapcoinc.com.

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HAPCO announces a welder tune-up program for contractors to get their equipment ready for the season

It might be cold outside but the spring roofing season will be here before you know it!  Now is the time to take advantage of HAPCO, Inc.’s Welder Tune-Up Program.

The Tune-Up is easy and affordable at only $595 and includes:

• Fully testing all mechanical parts
• Cleaning and repair of the nozzle
• Replacement of the silicon band on the drive wheel
• Replacement of the blower brushes
• Installation of a new power cord

If any additional services or repairs are needed, advice will be provided by Hapco’s authorized service and warranty centers’ professionals (covering any costs beyond the standard tune-up special).

GAF Master, Master Elite or Master Select contractors receive a $50 discount! Take advantage of this great offer now through April 28, 2017.

Call HAPCO today at 800-345-9353 for an authorized Hapco/BAK service center near you.

Learn more about HAPCO at hapcoinc.com.

Contractors have found a decrease in man hours and increase in productivity using the RoofOn and RoofOn Edge automatic overlap welders.

The two new BAK welding technologies are the RoofOn and RoofOn Edge automatic overlap welders. Initially designed to assist the newer, smaller roofing contractor grow their business, replacing 100% hand-welded seams with an affordable, lightweight and portable automatic overlap welder, RoofOn successfully saves roofers a minimum of 20 man hours per week on their flat/low slope roofing projects.

RoofOn also became a time-saving asset for larger roofing companies, making quick performance on labor-intensive detail work. RoofOn’s ability to weld TPO/PVC membrane to TPO/PVC coated drip edge on the outer perimeter of the roof, as well as its ability to weld on top of parapet walls at speeds of 5-7 feet per minute greatly increased productivity - especially on per diem projects!

RoofOn Edge, introduced in Spring 2013, offered a tool unlike any other with its unique left to right nozzle design for tasks previously welded 100% by hand. RoofOn Edge is great for straight line overlap seams for both small and large roofing contractors. Its exclusive ability to weld within 1” along parapet wall bases and skylights, plus perimeter cover tape applications at speeds of 6-8 feet per minute greatly reduce its labor-intensive hand welding alternative.

Both RoofOn and RoofOn Edge have the ability to “pop” the drive wheel out of alignment for curve welding around a variety of shapes. RoofOn Edge takes that technology one step further with its exclusive ability to navigate sharp radial turns, allowing the operator to weld pipe boots, pitch pockets and other assorted roofing accessories (previously welded only by hand) with great precision and speed.

RoofOn and RoofOn edge help bridge the gap between residential and commercial projects due to their diverse abilities on the roof. They join BAK’s workhorse, the full-sized LarOn automatic overlap welder, another diverse tool for single ply, modified bitumen and standing seam applications, by providing today’s contractor with ONE tool for great variety and an industry exclusive 3 Year Limited Warranty.

Hapco promotes the innovative welding options designed by industry leader, Bruno Zurmuehle, owner of BAK Switzerland, through its popular hands-on contractor welding training programs in conjunction with the various single ply manufacturers plus retail distributors across the USA, Canada and Mexico. “Introducing new technology to the masses through our industry professional partners has been an exciting and advantageous way of increasing contractor productivity and bottom line profitability…” states Charles George, CEO, Hapco Inc.

About Hapco, Inc.

Hapco, Inc., the world’s largest BAK Master distributor continues to grow through distribution in the USA, Canada, Mexico and South American regions through their unique networking and industry exclusive tool options.

BAK retail distributor partners are in 48 states throughout the USA, plus Canada, Mexico and South America. Hapco distribution and sales offices now include, Kent, OH; Hewitt, TX; Sacramento, CA; Cambridge, ON Canada.

Technical support is provided daily in Hapco Headquarters: Kent, Ohio, (M-F, 8am4:30pm, EST) 800-345-9353 with bilingual service and tech support from Hewitt, Texas (M-F 8am-5pm, CST) 855-525-9353. A national alliance of BAK authorized service and warranty centers are also available in 14 convenient locations throughout the USA and Canada.  Visit Hapco Here

Contractors confirmed that they spent less time welding more lineal feet and got the same quality welds using the brushless Laron welder.

Dana Howell, President of Damschroder Roofing (Fremont, Ohio) volunteered to add a new dimension to his roofing equipment arsenal - the totally brushless BAK Laron welder prototype from Hapco Inc, Kent, Ohio. “They asked me to work it hard and expect only the best welds on the commercial roofing jobs that summer,” said Howell, a longstanding Duro-Last Master Elite contractor with 35 years’ experience and over 1700 successful roofing installations.

Howell knew he could trust Hapco to provide him with top-quality equipment based on the years of dedicated service and support he had come to expect from Hapco Service Department Manager Matt Barlow and the Hapco roofing sales team.

“I can always trust Hapco to give me sound advice, maintenance suggestions that save me both time and money and the fastest repair turnaround to keep my crews on schedule,” explained Howell.

Damschroder Roofing used the brushless Laron on their installations statewide for the next 11 months.  “My roofing crew wasted no time telling me that it took less time welding more lineal feet with the same quality welds using the brushless Laron,” Howell said. “I really hated the thought of having to give it back.”

As it turns out, Howell did not have to give it back since he decided to add the brushless Laron welder to his existing fleet of Larons to keep up with their numerous scheduled projects for 2015.  Howell said, “We have been Hapco exclusive for many years because they stand behind their products…even when WE have made the mistakes…it’s a relationship we both value, and will continue to do so as we grow.”

About Damschroder Roofing

Damschroder Roofing Inc. is a full service roofing contractor dedicated to providing unsurpassed workmanship and expertise in roof construction, maintenance and repair. With over 35 years in commercial, industrial and institutional installations, Domscrhoder Roofing assists with identifying and repairing leaks, tearing off failing roofs, and re-roofing or overlaying on and existing roof. Damschroder is a 2015 Duro-Last Chairman Award recipient and Master Elite Contractor. They are headquartered in Fremont, Ohio. For more information visit www.damschroderroofing.com

About Hapco, Inc.

Hapco, Inc., the world’s largest BAK Master distributor continues to grow through distribution in the USA, Canada, Mexico and South American regions through their unique networking and industry exclusive tool options.

BAK retail distributor partners are in 48 states throughout the USA, plus Canada, Mexico and South America.  Hapco distribution and sales offices now include, Kent, OH; Hewitt, TX; Sacramento, CA; Cambridge, ON Canada.

Technical support is provided daily in Hapco Headquarters: Kent, Ohio, (M-F, 8am4:30pm, EST) 800-345-9353 with bilingual service and tech support from Hewitt, Texas (M-F 8am-5pm, CST) 855-525-9353.  A national alliance of BAK authorized service and warranty centers are also available in 14 convenient locations throughout the USA and Canada. [gaevent src="/rcs.php?gaplg=631"]