Our History

Ron Clapper grew up on a small farm in Minerva, OH, complete with cows, pigs, and a 4-wheeler. Ronnie always loved the outdoors, especially when it snowed. As a young entrepreneur, he saw an opportunity to help his neighbors and earn some spending money by plowing their driveways with the 4-wheeler, which just so happened to have a snow plow blade on it. Ronnie was in business at the age of 14. The year was 2002.

Very quickly, Ron built a reputation as a responsible person. His snow plow customers began to depend on him as their service provider. In the fall of 2004, at the age of 16, Ron bought his first truck – a Chevy half-ton step side pickup truck with a straight blade. He began to call on local businesses and at the age of 17 he landed several commercial snow plow accounts in the Minerva area, including the local Post Office. Residential customers were added simply by word of mouth. The business was growing.

After graduating from high school, Clapper & Company added landscape maintenance services to be able to provide year-round services for its customers. Using an off-the-shelf computer program for invoicing, the company continued to grow to over 30 accounts in 2005, including a large cemetery.

In 2006, the company stepped up to using QuickBooks. Ron bought his second truck – a shiny red Chevy pickup with a straight plow blade – and began to operate from a storage shed, as it had outgrew working from home.

In 2009, Clapper & Company became members of the Snow & Ice Management Association (SIMA) – the leading trade association for the professional snow & ice industry in North America. Ron has been an active member of this association over the years, serving on the Symposium committee, membership committee, and serving as a facilitator for roundtable discussion groups and in other volunteer capacities.

In 2010, the company was one of the first volunteer companies to support the Snow Care for Troops program which provides snow plowing services for military families in need.

In 2010, the company moved into a small commercial building in Canton OH.

In 2012, Clapper & Company moved to its current location in N. Canton. A salt storage facility was built in 2014, office space doubled in 2015, a second salt storage facility was built in 2016, and a production building was added in 2018.

In 2012, the company invested in GPS fleet tracking technology to be able to provide its customers will accurate data and to improve operational efficiency.

In 2013, Clapper & Company invested in liquid deicing technology in an effort to better serve its customers with innovative and cost-effective de-icing solutions.

In 2016, the company became a “paperless snow company” by investing in a software system designed specifically for the professional snow & ice industry.

In 2016, the company became certified by the Accredited Snow Contractors Association. Also this year the company joined the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce.

In 2017, the company became a SnowEx dealer, the leading provider of de-icing equipment in the snow & ice industry.

In 2018, Marsha Nyland earned the credential of Advanced Snow Manager, which is comprised of four individualized certificates.

In 2018, the company joined the Ohio Landscape Association (OLA) in its commitment to furthering education and professionalism on the landscape side of the business.

Ron and his team regularly attend industry trade shows and events. They have attend SIMA Symposiums in Cleveland OH, Columbus OH, Providence RI, Schaumberg IL, Louisville KY, the SIMA Salt Summit in Detroit MI, Sno-Motion Conferences in Cleveland OH and Sugarcreek OH, Snow Fighters Institute in Erie PA, Green Industry Expo in Louisville KY, and Accredited Snow Contractors Association Show in Indianapolis IN.

Clapper & Company has been honored to provide field testing for a variety of snow industry equipment manufacturers, including Boss (Toro), Ventrac, and Buyers.

Ron and Marsha have two sons, Ryan and Matthew. They love spending time together as a family, being outside, playing in the dirt, running equipment, and cooking outdoors with their smoker.