THE TEST OF TIME

ACP began in a 1972 model single-wide trailer house. This was before trailers improved to mobile homes, and before mobile homes improved to manufactured housing. This was a trailer house. We bought it used. The year was 1986, and the dining room of the trailer house was soon to become the world headquarters of ACP International.

It would be stating the obvious to say that we began small. We worked side by side, mainly because there wasn't room to work back to back. We manufactured two products, but we were able to do that successfully. And because our costs were so low, we were able to do better than break-even our first year. And year after year, we invested our company profits back into the business, adding product lines and equipment as months and years went by.

In 1988, we leased our first manufacturing plant. Plus, we did something that really put us on the path for greater success. We hired our first employees. Wayne Van Kirk and Ginger Biagiotti were two of the very first, and they are still with us today.  Wayne and Ginger are examples of why ACP has done well. When you are fortunate to have great quality people, EVERYTHING is easier.

Next time you talk with someone at ACP, ask them how long they have been with the company. This is a real point of pride for us. In today's business world, where job skipping and layoffs seem to happen every day, we're proud to stand against that trend.

In 1992, we acquired our first building. We added a neighboring building in 1996, and again in 2006. In 2008, we moved to our present 45,000 square foot facility. All along, we've added more versatile equipment and processes, which have improved our capabilities and our capacity.

Over time, we've also acquired businesses similar to our own. In 2002, we acquired VIP, a tag and label manufacturer in Houston. In 2003, parts of Porter Graphics of New Braunfels. In 2006, we developed Concrete Graphics, a revolutionary pavement marking product. In 2009, we were fortunate to acquire Sa-So, a provider of signs and safety products to schools and small towns all across America. Sa-So has been in business since 1948, and we are pleased to be operating it as an independent division of ACP.

All of this has been possible because of our company's continuing relationship with you, our customer. We will never forget that providing you the quality and service you deserve fuels everything we do. We truly enjoy working with you, and we appreciate your patronage.