SnugTop is a fiberglass manufacturing company started in 1959 in Long Beach, California. MORE THAN 55 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP AND INNOVATION!
We produce shells and lids for Ford, Toyota, Dodge, Chevy, Volkswagen, Nissan and Subaru. SNUGTOP was founded in 1959 under the name Custom Hardtops by Long Beach, California auto supply retailer Robert Kyle. In the late 50's, Bob Kyle’s local auto supply store sold hardtops for European sports cars, among other aftermarket products. As customer complaints mounted over the quality of those hardtop
s, he decided the only way to improve and control the quality was to manufacture his own. Calling the new sports car tops "SNUG Products by Custom Hardtops", Bob launched SNUGTOP. Ever the entrepreneur and always looking to expand his business, Bob entered the truck market in 1965, manufacturing the first fiberglass truck cap for the original Datsun mini truck followed soon after by tops for Chevy El Camino and Ford Ranchero trucks. He marketed his products directly to truck dealers since there were hardly any independent truck cap dealers or restylers, as we know them today. Even though SNUGTOP was the first company to make truck caps for mini trucks, the truck cover business didn't take off until the gas crunch of 1973. Mini trucks were "in" and full-size trucks were (temporarily) "out." And as demand rose for mini trucks so did demand for Bob’s SNUGTOP covers. Industry veterans recall that at first it was not important to match the truck cap with the lines of the truck. Then SNUGTOP invented the trendsetting cab-hi design, which pioneered the stylish aerodynamic look of today and established the truck cover category in the aftermarket business. Another milestone in SNUGTOP's history was achieved in 1979 when the company signed an OEM contract with SUBARU of America. For five years SNUGTOP supplied fiberglass tops for the popular Subaru Brat, the first 4x4 truck sold in the U.S.. With this strong foothold in the 4x4 market, Bob turned his attention to the conventional pickup truck market with the launch of a national advertising campaign in 1980 which included every major RV, automotive and truck-enthusiast lifestyle magazine. The name SNUGTOP, synonymous with superior quality truck caps and covers, became known nationwide. After building the business through the 1980’s and cementing SNUGTOP’s position a the industry leader in innovation, design and quality, Bob sold the company to an investment and management group led by SNUGTOP’s current President and CEO Hartmut Schroeder. The SNUGTOP Way
At SNUGTOP, we believe that the future belongs to the manufacturer who can meet and exceed consumers’ demands for better designed and better built products. As consumers express their individuality through the products they buy and use, they require more choices. That’s why today SNUGTOP offers its customers more than 350 different truck caps and tonneau covers, allowing them to personalize their vehicle. A truck cover is as much about image and individual expression as it is about utility. By offering both through its trendsetting products, SNUGTOP has demonstrated its commitment to satisfying its customers desire for form and style, as well as fit and function. Innovation in design and manufacturing technology and a relentless insistence on excellence keep SNUGTOP at the top of its field. As a result, SNUGTOP has earned a solid reputation as best in its class and tremendous brand-name recognition. With almost 50 years of history and performance behind it, more people ask for SNUGTOP by name than any other truck cover.
