Our History

In 1959, rental store employees Leo Swan and Ed Harding noted that their customers had recurring problems when resurfacing uneven concrete floors. At that time, the ways to level and smooth concrete surfaces were limited to using one’s hands or crudely modified buffing machines. To help their customers, the budding entrepreneurs created the modern day concrete floor grinder. While this lone grinder was only intended to satisfy their current clientele, news of its existence spread, and wait times for the grinder swelled. Eventually, with this grinder as their cornerstone, Leo and Ed founded Equipment Development Company, or EDCO – a manufacturer of “Rental-Tough” products. Today, the Swan and Harding families own and operate EDCO, offering an array of products.

What Is EDCO

EDCO (Equipment Development Company, Inc.) is a family-owned U.S. manufacturer known for heavy-duty tools for surface preparation, floor grinding/removal, sawing, and drilling. 

• Founded in 1959 by Leo Swan and Ed Harding. 

• Based in Frederick, Maryland where it operates one central manufacturing facility. 

• All EDCO machines & tooling are “rental-tough” — built for heavy use, made in America, with a reputation for durability. 

Product Lines & Key Equipment

EDCO offers a broad portfolio. Here are some of the main product categories and some examples:

What Sets EDCO Apart / Unique Differentiators

To help frame positioning or content that highlights why someone would choose EDCO, here are features that distinguish them:

1. American Made “Stayed in America”
   EDCO emphasizes that all machines, tooling, and parts are manufactured in the U.S., at their Frederick, MD facility. 

2. Rental-Tough Durability
   The build quality is high, designed for rental use (continuous, rugged jobs). The manufacturing uses lean processes, CNC machining, quality steel, etc. 

3. Training & Support
   EDCO provides training, manuals, webinars; they speak of training being part of their values. They don’t just sell, but teach product use/safety. 

4. Broad & Deep Accessories / Tooling Ecosystem
   Because they make the core machines, they also make blades, diamond tooling, bits, etc. That integration helps users maintain performance. 

5. Innovation in Surface Prep Tools
   They have branded lines like Magna-Trap, Crete-Plane, Crete-Crush that carry reputation in their respective applications. Also continuous improvement via lean manufacturing. 

Target Market & Use

Why people use EDCO, and who uses it:

• Rental companies — EDCO tools are built to withstand heavy use and lower cost of frequent maintenance.

• Concrete contractors / surface prep & finishing — leveling, smoothing, removing coatings, preparing for overlays.

• Asphalt / roadway maintenance — saws, line removal, saw cutting in road repair.

• Tile, masonry & hardscape installers — cutting, edge finishing, prep work.

• Facility maintenance — stripping floors, adhesive removal, general clean-ups.