Tapani Inc. performs heavy civil, site construction, and structural concrete services throughout the Pacific Northwest. Since its establishment in 1983, Tapani has grown significantly. Often the company has over 60 active projects, and has the capability to manage an individual project in excess of $100 million. Even with this growth, Tapani maintains a small-business attitude. It cares for every project with dedicated resources and full attention. The company strives for customer satisfaction. Tapani staff believe a good relationship with an agency, owner, developer, subcontractor or supplier is paramount.
Over the last 35 years, Tapani Inc. has diversified from primarily underground utility work to encompass nine market areas. These areas include: commercial, grading and environmental, industrial, materials, structures, subdivisions, transportation, trucking and, of course, utilities. Depending on the project, Tapani can perform as either the general contractor or subcontractor. With approximately 500 employees, Tapani is prepared to handle complex, large projects or more straightforward, small projects. To ensure that the right tools are ready for any project, a team of mechanics and technicians maintains a fleet of more than 250 pieces of equipment.
Tapani Inc. also owns several subsidiaries. These include: Dependable Computer Solutions, Inc.; Tapani Materials, Inc., which includes Battle Ground Rockery, Section 30 Materials, and Tebo; Tower Rock Products, Inc.; and Tapani Trucking, Inc.
Our History
In 1983 on a shoestring budget and a $3,000 loan, Tapani Underground opened for business. Owner Iner Tapani began operations with a backhoe, an old excavator, and a strong work ethic. Tapani Underground installed residential septic systems and performed any other work that could be done during the bleak economic climate of the mid-1980s. Through several years of dawn till dusk work, the company experienced slow and steady growth.
During the early years, Iner drove the company backhoe to the next job site followed by his wife, Beverly, in the family car with the hazard lights flashing. With this continued teamwork, Iner and Beverly expanded their two-person operation into a multi-million dollar business.
In 1985 Tapani Underground was the successful low bidder for a Hazel Dell Sewer District job. This was the first public works project for Tapani Underground. Because Iner’s background was in this type of work, these jobs were ideal for the small company. A breakthrough project for the City of Battle Ground was completed near the end of the 1980s, enabling Tapani Underground to position itself for the conservative management of company resources that has been handed down to the second generation of ownership today.
Many of Tapani’s employees who started in the early 1980s remain with the company and share their wisdom and knowledge with the next generation. These employees include Iner and Beverly’s sons and daughters, and even grandchildren. The family-orientated background of Tapani Underground, Inc. is evident in the successive generations of current employees. Tapani’s employees have made the company what it is today!
Over the last several years, the company has grown considerably. This growth has been welcomed and managed. With Tapani’s scope of work expanding into more areas of construction, the family changed the business name from Tapani Underground, Inc., to Tapani Inc. Iner and Beverly have now handed the baton to their sons who are taking Tapani Inc. into the future. As the company’s projects become larger and more complex, Tapani Inc. rises to the challenges and recognizes the endless opportunities these projects bring. With all the employees working together, Tapani has a strong heritage and a promising future…
- 1983
Tapani Underground is founded by Iner & Beverly Tapani
- 1984
First full-time employee is hired
- 1985
Tapani wins first public works project
- 1986
Office moves to current location in Battle Ground and the business is incorporated
- 1987
Breakthrough project—reconstruction of Main Street in Battle Ground
- 1990
First of Tapani’s second generation begins full-time employment
- 1992
Tapani performs a major sewer infrastructure project in the Meadow Glade neighborhood near Battle Ground
- 1994
Company performs a major street reconstruction of 4th Plain Blvd in Vancouver
- 1995
Tapani is awarded first 1 million-cubic-yard project for Port of Vancouver’s Subaru offloading facility
- 1996
First over $5 million project for reconstruction of 99th Street in Vancouver
- 1997
First HDPE pipe project, installing 2.5 miles of 32-inch pipe in Orchards area near Vancouver
- 1998
Tapani is chosen to construct its first 150 plus lot subdivision in Vancouver
- 1999
Awarded first major WSDOT infrastructure project of $10 million as a subcontractor on a $42 million contract
- 2003
Will construct the $18 million Gher Rd overpass project in Orchards area near Vancouver
- 2004
Tapani performs its first hydroelectric project: The Swift Tail Race
- 2005
North Jetty is constructed on the Columbia River in Illwaco, Wash.
Tapani Trucking and Tower Rock Products are founded as Tapani subsidiaries
The company surpasses 100 employees
- 2007
Dependable Computer Solutions, a Tapani subsidiary, is founded
Tapani constructs Klineline Dual Force Mains
- 2008
Construction begins on first project for the Federal Highway Administration, a $20 million project on the Olympic Peninsula
- 2009
Structural concrete team is formed
- 2012
Because of project diversification, name changes from Tapani Underground, Inc., to Tapani Inc.
Tapani reaches $75 million per year revenue mark
Number of employees exceeds 300
Company performs three $20 million plus projects concurrently
- 2014
Fleet reaches 300 pieces of equipment
- 2015
Tapani founders Iner and Beverley retire
Transition of ownership to 2nd generation is completed
- 2016
$100 million per year revenue mark
The company exceeds 400 employees
Wins $28 million hydroelectric project from Snohomish County PUD
- 2017
Tapani’s 22,000-square-foot equipment and fabrication shop is built by Tapani’s structural concrete team
Company reaches $1 billion in total billed dollars since its founding
- 2018
Company exceeds 500 employees
Tapani Materials, Inc. is founded as a subsidiary