OKLAHOMA CITY (OBV) — When Hapco Pole Products began looking for a location to support its next phase of growth, Oklahoma City offered the combination the company needed: workers, transportation infrastructure, and access to customers across the western United States.
The Virginia-based manufacturer plans to build a 270,000-square-foot facility at OKC 577 Industrial Park, expanding its production of aluminum lighting and utility poles for transportation, municipal, utility, commercial, and industrial customers.
The investment is expected to create more than 80 jobs in the Oklahoma City area.
“Hapco is experiencing continued growth and customer demand, and the new Oklahoma City facility will add manufacturing capacity while strengthening our ability to serve customers in the western half of the country,” said Russell Lowe, vice president of sales and marketing for Hapco.
Oklahoma City’s workforce and central location played a major role in the company’s decision.
“Oklahoma provides access to the labor needed for our manufacturing operations,” Lowe said. “Additionally, Oklahoma City is an ideal transportation hub to meet our logistical needs, better serve our customers, and support future growth.”
Oklahoma City stands out
Hapco evaluated potential locations based on how well each could support the company’s long-term growth objectives.
Oklahoma City stood out because of its transportation network, access to a strong workforce, proximity to customer markets, and connections to key parts of the company’s supply chain.
Those advantages will allow Hapco to expand production capacity while improving service and responsiveness for customers across the country.
“Oklahoma City stood out because of its transportation infrastructure, access to a strong workforce, and proximity to important customer markets and key supply chain entities,” Lowe said. “Those advantages position us to expand capacity, improve service levels, and support growing demand across the markets we serve.”
Expanding Hapco’s manufacturing network
The Oklahoma City facility will manufacture aluminum light poles and operate alongside Hapco’s existing facility in Abingdon, Virginia.
Company leaders emphasized that the Oklahoma project represents an expansion, rather than a relocation of existing operations.
“Our Abingdon facility remains our flagship operation and will continue to play a major role in our long-term plans,” Lowe said.
The addition of a central U.S. manufacturing location will help the company serve customers nationwide while providing faster access to important western markets.
The Oklahoma City facility is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
More than 80 new jobs
The project is expected to create positions across several areas of Hapco’s manufacturing operation, including production, welding, maintenance, quality control, engineering, logistics, supervision, and administrative support.
Specific positions and hiring timelines are still being developed. Hapco plans to release additional information as construction progresses and the facility moves closer to opening.
The project comes as Hapco celebrates 75 years in business and the United States marks its 250th anniversary.
For the company, the timing reflects both its history as an American manufacturer and its confidence in future demand for infrastructure products.
“As a U.S. manufacturer that has been serving customers for 75 years, we’re proud to be investing in American jobs, American manufacturing, and the infrastructure that helps communities grow and thrive,” Lowe said.
“This project demonstrates our commitment to continued growth and to supporting our customers and the country for decades to come.”
Hapco will formally mark the beginning of construction during an Aug. 4 groundbreaking ceremony at the future manufacturing site in Oklahoma City.
“We’re excited about the opportunities ahead and proud to be joining such a strong and dynamic business community,” Lowe said.
