The history of today’s amazing transportation system mirrors the history of TAPCO. The FHWA states that the Interstate Highway system began on June 29th, 1956 and it was on virtually the same day that Ray Bergholz founded TAPCO. The U.S.A. State and Interstate highway system is regarded as the largest public works project in history and like TAPCO it has grown and expanded continually ever since.

In the early days, necessity was the driving force behind TAPCO’s philosophy of offering every product and service related to traffic and parking control. By shopping our website (www.tapconet.com) you will attest to the fact that TAPCO does have virtually anything you can think of in traffic and parking control systems. TAPCO doesn’t build the highways, but our mission is to make them safer and more efficient. Ray Bergholz believed that if you can help your fellow man and still make a buck for yourself that is the best job you can get it.

In 1988 Ray Bergholz decided it was time to retire and sold the business to his sons Rick and Randy Bergholz and his protégé, John Kugel. Today, Rick Bergholz and John Kugel are still actively involved in the business and have continued the vision and direction set forth before them by Ray Bergholz. Two families, The Bergholz’s and The Kugel’s, now solely own and operate TAPCO.

In the 1980’s TAPCO began manufacturing its own brand of TAPCO Made™ products. This decision has lead to a wide variety of innovative and green products such as our patented solar powered BlinkerSign® line of products. USA Today recently featured TAPCO on the front page with an article entitled “More Cities Turn to Solar Power for Traffic Signs.” TAPCO also pioneered the patented V-Loc® sign breakaway system. TAPCO is dedicated to customer service and developing innovative green products. TAPCO does business in all 50 states and many foreign countries. It seems like more and more other countries need TAPCO offerings as much or more than we need them here in the U.S.A. TAPCO has also become a significant supplier to the Federal Government through the GSA.

Even though TAPCO is rich with history, only recently has it truly begun to receive any notoriety. In 2010 TAPCO was named a Future 50 companies by the MMAC/COSBE (Milwaukee Metropolitan Association of Commerce. In addition from 2007-2010 TAPCO has been named to the INC™ Magazine Future 5000 list as one of the nation’s fastest growing privately owned small businesses in America. TAPCO was also named the 2009 Wisconsin Family Owned Small Business of the year by the SBA (Small Business Administration). As much as we value these awards, we continue to find more gratification when we hear back from our satisfied customers.

All this history and company performance could not have occurred without our talented and loyal workforce who has made TAPCO what it is today. Give us a call and see for yourself! We will always go the extra mile for you, and your total satisfaction is the only policy we have etched in stone.