Grand River-based V.L. Chapman Electric honored by national association
Sep. 16—V.L. Chapman Electric, an electrical contractor based in Grand River, has recently been recognized by the National Electrical Contractors Association with a Project Excellence Award for work on the Laketran Zero Emission Bus Charging Infrastructure Project.
The project was chosen as the winner from all submissions nationwide in the Electric Vehicle category, the company confirmed.
According to the trade association, the Project Excellence Award was established "to showcase the exceptional work that its members perform throughout the entire country...."
"It has been our privilege to serve Laketran since 1974 when my father and uncle ran our company," said President Lad Chapman. "Because of their leadership and innovation in pioneering this new electric-fueled transit system, we were able to bid on the project and get involved. Laketran is now operating the lowest polluting and most efficient transit vehicles in Ohio, and it's a fantastic opportunity for a small shop like ours."
The business is also the first firm member to receive the honor in Northeast Ohio, noted Thomas Shreeves, executive director of the Greater Cleveland Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association.
"In doing so, V.L. Chapman has shown they are capable of meeting today's as well as future challenges in the electrical construction market," Shreeves added. "We are very proud of Lad and all the professionals he has assembled."
This year also marks the company's 70th year in business in Lake County.
According to Laketran CEO Ben Capelle, V.L. Chapman remains a strong asset.
"When you select a project like this, with a new technology, it's really important that you have a vendor partner that is just as excited (about that project) as you are," he added. "Since we've worked with them for so long, we have received incredible customer service and an excitement for anything new, and so it was a natural fit that we brought this technology to Lake County.
"Having a partner that we can count on is part of why this project has been successful and will be successful into the future."
V.L. Chapman will be officially recognized next month during the National Electrical Contractors Association Convention and Trade Show in Austin, Texas.
