After Graduating from the University of Texas with a Mechanical Engineering Degree, Harold Oscar Knape worked with a local engineering firm in the Austin area. His work included all types of projects and provided him with contacts in the engineering field from across the nation. It was not long before he was courted by an engineering firm in New York City. Living in New York required him to achieve his PE license for the Sate of New York. He maintained his NY Texas Professional Engineer License throughout his career. After ten years or work in the NY he was ready to return to the Great State of Texas.
Where his original plans were to return to Texas to be a Consulting Engineering, his counterparts revealed to him the need for qualified representatives in that area. His expertise in helping to solve air moving problems was a natural fit into selling fans and heaters. Using the Business Opportunities section of the Wall Street Journal, Harold became associated with the services of New York Blower and INDEECO (Industrial Engineering and Equipment Company) Electric Heaters. Thus began the Harold O. Knape Company in Dallas, TX the spring of 1949. We are proud to note that we still represent INDEECO today in the Commercial, Industrial and Marine Markets.
With the Industrial Market growing in South East Texas, Harold opened a Houston office in 1952. This office continued to grow at a pace greater than the Dallas market and Harold and his family to move to Houston in 1967.
Harold O. Knape and Company continued to grow and see success thru the 60’s 70’s and 80’s until his passing in 1989. At the time of his death, Harold was succeeded in leadership by his wife Shirley. Shirley had worked at Harold O. Knape Company in accounting, business management, and sales support from the early days in Dallas and later became intimate with the products and services Harold offered. Her knowledge of the customers needs has kept her involved to today where she still presides as the president and controller of the company.
In 1996, with a continued vision on business development, Shirley believed it was time to turn the page to a new chapter in the company History. With a logo redesign and internal structural changes, the company changed its name to KNAPE ASSOCIATES and continues to grow. Where the companies we have represented may have changed over the years the commitment to quality representation has not.
MISSION STATEMENT
To provide competitive solutions, Knape Associates is your Preferred Partner in air moving and Heating for Commercial, Industrial, Marine, and Pollution requirements. |
