A Brief History of Duck

Shurtape Technologies’ Consumer & Craftsman Group, formerly ShurTech Brands, traces its roots to 1950 when the Melvin A. Anderson Company was founded. Anderson, a tiny industrial tape distributor, set out to supply duct and electrical tapes to area factories. Serendipitously, almost 60 years later, Shurtape Technologies, Anderson’s key supplier, would become the new parent company. However, the unique business relationship between Shurtape and the Melvin A. Anderson company, one that blossomed and helped define the industry, would have never come to fruition had it not been for the key growth engine and eventual owner, Jack Kahl.

world-war-soldiers-using-duct-tape

1942

Duct tape is invented during World War II. American soldiers use the strong, versatile adhesive for everything from repairing broken windows to making temporary bandages.

rolls-of-silver-duck-tape

1945

After the war, the tape is put to use holding ventilation ducts together and gains the name "duct tape" and becomes to traditional silver color.

manco-logo

1971

Jack Kahl acquires Melvin A. Anderson on a leverage buy out and changes the name to Manco, Inc.

shuford-mills-hickory-facility

1972

Shuford Mills in Hickory, NC - which was already producing packaging tape - decides to expand to duct tape production.

roll-of-duck-tape-in-shurtape-factory

1973

Manco, Inc. begins to convert duct tape in their factory in Ohio.

weatherization-products-on-display

1977

Manco, Inc. launches a new line of Weatherization products in response to the first energy crisis.

duct-tape-roll-on-grey-background

1978

Manco, Inc. undergoes a complete package redesign to the green brand color that is recognized today and becomes the first company to package duct tape for retail..

duckling-on-top-of-color-duct-tape

1980

Jack Kahl officially creates a branded duct tape under the Duck® and Duck Tape® trademarks and becomes the first company to offer Duck Tape® colors.

clear-packaging-tape-rolled-out-on-blue-background

1981

Manco Inc. is the first to offer crystal clear packaging tape.

the-1984-duck-tape-logo

1984

The Duck® logo and Duck Tape® brand begins to appear on all of the company’s duct tape packaging.

old-duck-brand-tape-mascot-with-display

1984

Manco T. Duck, Manco's mascot, is born.

1985-duck-tape-logo

1985

The Duck® logo is updated. John Kahl – now CEO – joins Manco’s Sales Department.

bubble-wrap-end-cap-display

1985

Manco Inc. is the first company to introduce mailing and moving products into retail, including the iconic Bubble Wrap brand.

magazine-article-about-manco

1985-1990

Manco Inc. grows rapidly due to large demands from major retailers.The company hit record sales of $60 million.

original-ez-packaging-tape

1991

Manco Inc. first patents packaging tape that is known today as EZ Start® Packaging Tape. This tape becomes recognized as rolling on smoothly and quietly without the frustration of the tape tearing.

easy-liner-shelf-liner-ad

1994-1995

Manco Inc. is the first in non-slip liner under the Easy Liner® brand.

shurtech-building

1996

Manco’s corporate headquarters move to Avon, Ohio.

camoflauge-duct-tape

1997

Manco Inc. offers the first printed Duck Tape® now available in camouflage.

duck-tape-goes-global-ad

1998

Manco becomes part of The Henkel Group, Düsseldorf, Germany, the world’s #1 consumer adhesives company.

roll-on-window-kit-logo

1998

The company patents the first Roll-On® Window Kits.

henkel-loctite-lepage-logo

1999

Manco adds the Henkel names to their consumer products including Henkel’s Loctite® consumer products and LePage® products..

john-kahl-headshot

2000

Jack Kahl retires from the company and John Kahl becomes CEO.

original-stuck-at-prom-logo

2001

The first Duck® brand duct tape Stuck at Prom® Scholarship Contest is held.

trust-e-duck-duck-tape-mascot-waving

2002

The company patents the first Solid Liner®. Manco T. Duck is renamed Trust E. Duck.

welcome-to-henkel-sign

2003

Manco, Inc., changes its name to Henkel Consumer Adhesives, Inc.

duck-tape-logo

2003

The Duck® logo is updated to the current logo.

duck-tape-festival-float

2004

The very first Avon Heritage Duck Tape® Festival was kicked off in Avon, OH.

duck-tape-headquarters-digital-sign

2004

Mayor of Avon, OH declared the company's headquarters as the Duck Tape capital of the world.

shurtech-brands-logo

2009

Long-time supplier Shurtape Technologies, LLC, Hickory, N.C., purchases the Duck® brand from The Henkel Group, forming its subsidiary, ShurTech Brands, LLC.

social-media-icons

2009

Supporting a fast-growing community of Duck Tape fans, Duck Tape and Duck Brand joins Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

hello-kitty-duck-tape-roll

2009-2011

ShurTech Brands, LLC. continues to grow their printed Duck Tape®, including introducing Hello Kitty® Duck Tape® as the first character Duck Tape®.

college-tape-logo

2010

ShurTech Brands, LLC introduces the first sports licensed tape.

stuck-at-prom-logo

2010

The Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest celebrates its 10th anniversary, where more than 5,000 students in the United States and Canada have participated and more than $120,000 in scholarship dollars has been awarded to students and schools to date.

glow-in-the-dark-duct-tape

2012

ShurTech Brands, LLC introduces NFL Licensed Duck Tape® and Glow-in-the-Dark Duck Tape®.

duck-tape-scents-logo

2014

Duck Tape launches new the first-ever scented duct tape.

shelf-liner-on-pantry-shelf

2015

Duck® brand partners with Clorox® to launch a new brand of Easy Liner® shelf liners with Clorox® antimicrobial protection of the liner that resists the growth of odor-causing mold and mildew.

transparent-tints-duct-tape

2016

Duck® brand introduces Duck Tape Transparent Tints®.

shelf-liner-on-pantry-shelf

2020

ShurTech Brands formally and legally changed its name to Shurtape Technologies’ Consumer & Craftsman Group (C&C) and will continue to market DIY (Do It Yourself), EIY (Express It Yourself) and Home and Office products.