How Duck Tape® was Named
How Duck Tape® was Named
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.
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.
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.
1971
Jack Kahl acquires Melvin A. Anderson on a leverage buy out and changes the name to Manco, Inc.
1972
Shuford Mills in Hickory, NC - which was already producing packaging tape - decides to expand to duct tape production.
1973
Manco, Inc. begins to convert duct tape in their factory in Ohio.
1977
Manco, Inc. launches a new line of Weatherization products in response to the first energy crisis.
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..
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.
1981
Manco Inc. is the first to offer crystal clear packaging tape.
1984
The Duck® logo and Duck Tape® brand begins to appear on all of the company’s duct tape packaging.
1984
Manco T. Duck, Manco's mascot, is born.
1985
The Duck® logo is updated. John Kahl – now CEO – joins Manco’s Sales Department.
1985
Manco Inc. is the first company to introduce mailing and moving products into retail, including the iconic Bubble Wrap brand.
1985-1990
Manco Inc. grows rapidly due to large demands from major retailers.The company hit record sales of $60 million.
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.
1994-1995
Manco Inc. is the first in non-slip liner under the Easy Liner® brand.
1996
Manco’s corporate headquarters move to Avon, Ohio.
1997
Manco Inc. offers the first printed Duck Tape® now available in camouflage.
1998
Manco becomes part of The Henkel Group, Düsseldorf, Germany, the world’s #1 consumer adhesives company.
1998
The company patents the first Roll-On® Window Kits.
1999
Manco adds the Henkel names to their consumer products including Henkel’s Loctite® consumer products and LePage® products..
2000
Jack Kahl retires from the company and John Kahl becomes CEO.
2001
The first Duck® brand duct tape Stuck at Prom® Scholarship Contest is held.
2002
The company patents the first Solid Liner®. Manco T. Duck is renamed Trust E. Duck.
2003
Manco, Inc., changes its name to Henkel Consumer Adhesives, Inc.
2003
The Duck® logo is updated to the current logo.
2004
The very first Avon Heritage Duck Tape® Festival was kicked off in Avon, OH.
2004
Mayor of Avon, OH declared the company's headquarters as the Duck Tape capital of the world.
2009
Long-time supplier Shurtape Technologies, LLC, Hickory, N.C., purchases the Duck® brand from The Henkel Group, forming its subsidiary, ShurTech Brands, LLC.
2009
Supporting a fast-growing community of Duck Tape fans, Duck Tape and Duck Brand joins Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
2009-2011
ShurTech Brands, LLC. continues to grow their printed Duck Tape®, including introducing Hello Kitty® Duck Tape® as the first character Duck Tape®.
2010
ShurTech Brands, LLC introduces the first sports licensed tape.
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.
2012
ShurTech Brands, LLC introduces NFL Licensed Duck Tape® and Glow-in-the-Dark Duck Tape®.
2014
Duck Tape launches new the first-ever scented duct tape.
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.
2016
Duck® brand introduces Duck Tape Transparent Tints®.
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.