The Compco Quaker Manufacturing team stands with members of the Smith family. Front row, from left to right: Rick Kamperman- Director of Corporate Maintenance, Greg Smith- Chairman of the Board and grandson of Compco’s founder, Gwen Smith Darnell, Rose Smith, Clarence R. Smith, Jr.- past Chairman and son of Compco’s founder, Gail Smith and Brad Smith- Director of Product Development.
The story of Compco Industries begins with a 10-year old homeless orphan.
Clarence R. Smith, Sr., our founder, took shelter with a storekeeper and his family on Youngstown, Ohio’s Southside. He set up a cot in the store’s meager basement and went to work learning the business. Within 10 years, Clarence started his first company- Diamond Steel Construction- and, in 1954, he founded Commercial Piping Company; the precursor of Compco Industries.
The former Quaker Manufacturing Company became Compco Quaker Manufacturing in 2017.
Our corporate home is in Northeast, Ohio, with Compco located in Columbiana and Compco Quaker in Salem.
Today, the third generation of the Smith family leads Compco Industries and its affiliates… and the fourth generation is now preparing to carry on our proud tradition into the future.
While Compco has grown tremendously since its founding, it remains a family company with corresponding values. We treat all of our team members with dignity, respect and appreciation. This is why generations of family members not-named-Smith work in our facilities. At Compco, it is very common to find fathers, sons, mothers, daughters, siblings and cousins all working together; providing the industry-leading quality and on-time delivery Compco and Compco Quaker are known for.
Our most important value is our steadfast recognition of the customer as “boss.” Everyone at Compco, from the Chairman of the Board and CEO to our newest Team Member, understands they work for you… our customer… and it shows daily in our outstanding service.