Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Trusted Electrical Contractors Since 1920
Willmar Electric has been delivering expert electrical contracting services since 1920, combining a proven four-step process with over 100 years of collective experience. Our team prioritizes aggressive schedules and budgets through meticulous planning, continuous improvement, waste reduction, and adaptability to changing conditions. With regional offices in Minnesota, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, we serve commercial, institutional, and industrial clients nationwide, offering in-house engineering, design-build capabilities, and a commitment to safety and innovation. Our multi-state presence and established supplier networks ensure material availability and skilled labor, even during industry shortages. We specialize in complex projects requiring high-voltage systems, emergency power solutions, and energy management, backed by certifications like NCCER and OSHA compliance.Our apprenticeship program, nationally accredited and debt-free for participants, ensures a continuous pipeline of skilled electricians. Client testimonials highlight our reliability, safety practices, and ability to complete projects on time, as demonstrated in case studies for Bethesda Grand and Scandi Haven Village. Leadership figures like President David Chapin and Executive VP Justin Chapin emphasize a culture of accountability, mentorship, and community service, reflecting our core value: 'People Making a Difference for People.'
Services
Commercial Electrical
Institutional Electrical
Industrial Electrical
Design-Build Solutions
Emergency Power Systems
Details
- Year established: 1920
Highlights and features
- We have 100+ years of experience in electrical contracting across 35+ states.
- Our proven four-step process ensures on-time and on-budget project delivery.
- In-house engineering team provides design-build solutions for complex projects.
- Multi-state presence with established supplier networks and labor partnerships.
- Nationally accredited apprenticeship program with 100% journeyman exam pass rate.
Associations and certifications
- NCCER
- OSHA 10
- OSHA 30
What people say
Completed on time
Exemplary safety practices
Industry-leading solutions
Reliable partner
Consistent service quality
Services
Commercial Electrical
We provide cost-effective electrical solutions for commercial buildings. Our team handles design, modeling, and efficiency analysis to ensure code compliance and operational reliability. Clients benefit from our 100+ years of experience and in-house engineering expertise.
Institutional Electrical
Specialized electrical systems for hospitals and care facilities. We deliver full lifecycle support from ground-up construction to renovations, prioritizing patient safety and uninterrupted operations through redundant power solutions and strict compliance standards.
Industrial Electrical
Comprehensive electrical services for production facilities including installation, troubleshooting, and maintenance. Our proactive project management ensures minimal downtime, with expertise in high-voltage systems and industrial automation infrastructure.
Design-Build Solutions
End-to-end electrical contracting with in-house engineering. We coordinate all aspects from concept to completion, guaranteeing schedule adherence and budget control through prefabrication and lean construction methodologies developed over a century.
Emergency Power Systems
Critical power solutions for uninterrupted operations. Our systems include generators, UPS, and transfer switches designed for hospitals, data centers, and industrial facilities requiring 24/7 reliability during outages or maintenance.
People
David Chapin
President
President of Willmar Electric with 34 years in leadership roles. BA in Organizational Behavior from Gustavus Adolphus College. Former National Chair of Associated Builders and Contractors. Focuses on empowering employees and strategic growth.
Justin Chapin
Executive VP
Licensed Professional Engineer in 21 states. Bachelor's degrees in Physics and Electrical Engineering. Oversees technical operations and engineering strategy. Active in industry advisory committees and professional development programs.
Steve Gardner
VP Operations
20-year U.S. Army veteran with MBA in Quality Management. Leads operations with PMP and Lean Six Sigma certifications. Former Willmar City Council member. Focuses on operational excellence and community engagement.
Misty Lauer
VP Finance
Vice President of Finance & Administration with 17 years at Willmar Electric. Masters degrees in Business and Organizational Leadership. Manages financial strategy, HR, and IT. Former adjunct professor in Operations Management.
Paul Latimer
Director of Sales
Director of Sales and Estimating with NCCER Instructor certification. Completed Purdue University's Project Management Institute program. Focuses on client relationships and accurate cost forecasting for complex electrical projects.
Questions
What areas does Willmar Electric serve?
We operate from three regional offices in Willmar, MN; Lincoln, NE; and Lawton, OK. Our multi-state licensing covers 35+ states with nationwide project capabilities.
What industries do you specialize in?
We focus on commercial, institutional, and industrial electrical projects. This includes healthcare facilities, manufacturing plants, and complex commercial buildings requiring specialized power systems.
How does your project management process work?
Our four-step process includes detailed planning, continuous improvement, waste elimination, and adaptive execution. We use three-week lookahead schedules and prefabrication to maintain timelines and budgets.
Are you equipped for emergency power systems?
Yes, we design and install critical power infrastructure including generators, UPS systems, and transfer switches for facilities requiring uninterrupted power operations.
What safety certifications do your teams hold?
All supervisors have OSHA 30 certification. Craftworkers receive OSHA 10 training plus site-specific safety instruction. We maintain a 100% journeyman exam pass rate through our apprenticeship program.
