History

Gaco Western, Inc. is one of the oldest and best respected manufacturers of elastomeric coatings and polyurethane foam for the construction and waterproofing industries. With manufacturing plants in Tukwila, Washington and Waukesha, Wisconsin, Gaco Western employs a total of over 70 people in its corporate and central offices, and in its sales force.

Gaco Western manufactures polyurethane foam as well as elastomeric coatings of neoprene, Hypalon®, aromatic and aliphatic urethane, silicone, epoxy and acrylic emulsions as well as various primers, flashing compounds and adhesives. These products are used in systems designed for roof, pedestrian and traffic decking, membrane waterproofing, protection of spray-applied polyurethane foam, interior insulation and industrial applications for corrosion and abrasion protection.

Since its incorporation in 1955, Gaco Western has grown considerably in volume, variety of products created and in numbers of people employed throughout the country. In 2009 Gaco Western sales approached $40,000,000.

During the late 1930's a rubber salesman, Ed Gates, began experimenting with liquid neoprene coatings for many potential uses. Enthused by his findings, he founded The Gates Company in Wilmington, Delaware. With support from the du Pont family, he began to manufacture coatings for various uses, including industrial corrosion protection.

The Gates Company had only moderate success under Ed Gates, as he was more of a tinkerer than a business manager, so in 1940 he sold it. The company was then re-named Gates Engineering Co., with the trade name "Gaco" being retained from GAtes COmpany.

In 1954 three partners, Hugh Mitchell, Aubrey Davis and Sid Collier, purchased Gates Engineering Co. for a total of $21,000 and reincorporated it Gaco Western Inc. Neither the Mitchell family nor the Collier family are involved any longer and the company is owned and operated by the Davis family.