H-P Milestones

Much has transpired at H-P Products through the years, read on for more, or use the buttons below to jump to a specific period of time:

1940's

1945

  • Harold Bishop and Paul Schumacher form a partnership to manufacture gas conversion burners for residential coal furnaces.

1946

  • H-P begins to manufacture hospital cabinets and boat trailers in Louisville, OH.

1948

  • H-P Products incorporates.

1950's

1951

  • H-P diversifies by expanding into metal elbow ends.

1952

  • H-P begins supplying light wall tubing and bends to the Industrial Vacuum Industry.

1953

  • H-P is completely destroyed by fire and rebuilds.

1955

  • H-P launches a new product line called VACUFLO® True Cyclonic®, a revolutionary built-in residential central vacuum system that requires no bags or filters.

1957

  • H-P introduces a second VACUFLO home unit.

1958

  • H-P locates its Administrative Office Building on Gorgas Street in Louisville, OH  (where it is still located today).

1959

  • H-P introduces three new VACUFLO units, the H-22, H-30 and H-32.

1960's

1960

  • H-P completes first Broad Street Plant expansion to accommodate larger Bending Center and a Pines #6 Bender.

1961

  • H-P revolutionizes the Residential Central Vacuum Industry by introducing light-weight, less expensive plastic tubing.

1962

  • VACUFLO Models 26 and 28 are added to H-P’s product line.

1964

  • H-P Partners with Diebold, producing parts and tube bends for their banking products.
  • H-P introduces a dual motor VACUFLO unit for commercial use.
  • Monty Hall debuts VACUFLO on “Let’s Make a Deal.”  

1965

  • Harold Bishop passes away; Mabel Bishop assumes H-P Presidency.

1967

  • H-P introduces VACUFLO Model unit 14. H-P builds warehouse addition to Broad Street Plant.

1968

  • H-P expands Broad Street Plant capabilities and capacity with new bending equipment.

1969

  • H-P completes a new cleaning tank addition to the Broad Street Plant.

1970's

1972

  • H-P patents the VACUFLO Lexan Inlet Valve.
  • H-P develops a new central vacuum unit for Recreational Vehicles (RVs).

1973

  • H-P introduces a second central vacuum unit for RVs.

1974

  • H-P expands Broad Street Plant warehouse.

1975

  • Paul Bishop becomes President of H-P Products.

1978

  • H-P introduces light-weight, wireless plastic hoses to the Central Vacuum Industry.

1980's

1980

  • H-P designs the first turbine power brush in the central vacuum industry.

1981

  • H-P completes construction of a second manufacturing facility on Main Street in Louisville, OH.
  • David Bishop assumes Vice Presidency of H-P.

1982

  • H-P introduces the RugRat, a handheld turbine power brush.

1984

  • H-P renovates Administrative Office Building. H-P launches four new VACUFLO units.

1985

  • H-P begins mass production of automotive parts.
  • H-P purchases end-forming machine to increase tube expansion capabilities.

1986

  • H-P’s bending capabilities expand with new equipment.
  • VACUFLO systems begin using 2” PVC tubing and fittings.

1987

  • H-P completes first addition to Main Street Plant.

1988

  • H-P opens state-of-the-art Metrology Lab at Broad Street Plant.

1989

  • H-P completes second addition to Main Street Plant.
  • H-P installs robotic welding equipment to enhance production of custom parts.

1990's

1990

  • H-P introduces a new generation of quieter more efficient power units.
  • H-P releases a second generation turbine power brush, called the TurboCat.

1991

  • H-P’s TurboCat receives the Excellence Award for Industrial Design.
  • H-P launches the M-260 VACUFLO power unit.

1992

  • H-P introduces DuraCan Elite, a clear dirt canister for VACUFLO units.

1993

  • H-P purchases CNC bending machines to enhance Bending Center capabilities.  

1994

H-P begins fabricating plastic tubular parts and increases cut-off work cell capacity.

1995

  • H-P introduces two new high-performance VACUFLO units, Models 560 and 960.

1996

  • H-P launches new METFLO® air system components for industrial vacuum, pneumatic conveying and carrier pneumatic markets.
  • H-P adds Welding Center and improves CNC bending expertise at Broad Street Plant.
  • H-P expands and moves the Machine Shop and Metrology Lab to Main Street.
  • H-P moves VACUFLO production to Broad Street and introduces new VACUFLO power unit.

1997

  • H-P partners with U.S. Coupling to provide METFLO compression couplings.
  • H-P completes a 60,000 sq. ft. addition to Main Street Plant.
  • H-P acquires the Tubeform Division of HMI, Inc.
  • H-P Launches www.vacuflo.com to market VACUFLO online.

1998

  • H-P celebrates its 50th birthday.
  • H-P restructures into two business units
    • Floorcare
    • Tubular Products.
  • H-P expand Metrology Lab capabilities and equipment.

1999

  • H-P produces its five millionth stabilizer bar for the automotive industry.
  • H-P is first in central vacuum industry to offer consumer online ordering at www.vacuflo.com.
  • H-P introduces VACUFLO’s new twin motor unit, Model 760.

2000's

2000

  • H-P achieves ISO 9002 Certification.
  • H-P launches www.metflo.com, Tubular Products’ interactive website.

2001

  • H-P introduces two new bagless, no-vent central vac units designed with its patented Filtered Cyclonic technology.
  • H-P offers 24/7 direct online ordering for VACUFLO dealers.
  • H-P Floorcare begins exclusive licensing agreement with Royal Appliance Mfg. Company to manufacture Dirt Devil®, Platinum Force® and Royal® branded central vacuums.

2002

  • H-P adds DUCT Components product line to METFLO.
  • H-P enhances link bar production with new generation of robotic weld cells.
  • H-P markets new larger Filtered Cyclonic unit.

2003

  • H-P becomes certified to ISO 9001:2000.
  • H-P launches a new Dirt Devil® RV unit to the recreational vehicle market, and a new Filtered Cyclonic unit for smaller homes and condos.
  • H-P introduces the revolutionary METFLO Instalok coupling; it wins the Powder and Bulk Solids 2003 Innovation Award.

2004

  • H-P launches two new quieter, more powerful VACUFLO units- True Cyclonic Q series.
  • H-P increases CNC bending capability to 6” OD tubing.

2005

  • H-P adds new 4” CNC bending machine, and improves welding efficiency with 3-D modular fixturing and welding tables.
  • H-P caters to the plastic processing industry by introducing PriceFitters.
  • VACUFLO celebrates its 50th birthday.
  • H-P introduces a more powerful, but quieter, series of Filtered Cyclonic units -the Whisper, Tranquility and Dynamic units.

2006

  • Allen Green named President and COO of H-P Products.
  • Greg Calderone named Vice-President of H-P Products.
  • H-P moves Floorcare Operations to North Canton, Ohio.
  • H-P introduces TurboCat Zoom turbine powerhead.
  • H-P expands production with purchase of two CNC bending machines, two Pines Benders (#6 and #8) and four Proto-1 end forming machines.

2007

  • H-P continues to invest in new equipment for CNC bending, marmon beads, end forming and pressure testing.
  • H-P introduces new websites for the Custom OEM and METFLO businesses.

2008

  • H-P introduces the MaxAir power unit, the first central vacuum designed to power central vacuum hose management systems.
  • H-P introduces the Vroom, a quick-clean hose management accessory designed to install in cabinets for clean-ups in high-traffic areas of the home such as kitchens and bathrooms.

2009

  • H-P purchases a 4000 Watt Mazak Space Gear 510 Mark II Laser for increased product capabilities for the Tubular Products division.
  • H-P Certified ISO 9001:2008.
  • H-P adds Spot to the Vroom family of quick-clean products.

2010's

2010

  • H-P launches a revamped VACUFLO.com website.
  • H-P introduces the next generation of Vroom product including Vroom Garage.
  • H-P introduces the Element power unit, an inverted filter bag system.
  • H-P welding procedures certified to standards of the American Welding Society (AWS).

2011

  • H-P consolidates their Tubular Products brands, eliminating the Custom OEM, METFLO and Pricefitters names. All Tubular Products brands now known as H-P Products Engineered Tube Bends.
  • H-P launches the Maxum paper bag filtration power unit.
  • H-P launches new corporate website, www.h-pproducts.com, showcasing both the newly consolidated Engineered Tube Bends and Central Vacuums divisions.

2014

  • Rebekah Eisenbarth named Vice-President of H-P Products.

2015

  • H-P adds its first all-electric CNC bender, as well as a Tube Inspect Optical Tube Measurement System.

2016

  • H-P adds new stacked CNC bender.

2018

  • H-P adds 2 CNC Mills, 6 welders, and a 6-axis laser. 

2019

  • H-P adds the following equipment:  6" CNC bender, 8" CNC bender, 10" CNC bender, 3D Printer for quick fixturing, Lathe, and Hydrogen test unit for highly sensitive testing.
  • H-P launches Vroom Retract Vac, the first central vac retractable hose system designed specifically for garages. 
  • H-P launches Chameleon Retractable Hose System, its proprietary retractable hose management system for central vacuums. 

2020's

2020

  • H-P adds Cleanliness testing and a new Cleanliness System to improve efficiency and efficacy of cleaning.
  • H-P launches the CamPort add-on system to Chameleon to create a truly hybrid retractable and standard central vacuum system. 

2021

  • Commissioned CNC cold saw for tubes and pipe. This added automation to our production.
  • Commissioned double-stack, all-electric Bender, nicknamed Scarlet.

2022

  • Rebekah Eisenbarth named President and COO of H-P Products.