GRP|WEGMAN traces its roots to two pioneering companies: GRP Mechanical Company, Inc. and Wegman Electric Company. These two companies, each with a rich history of innovation and service, merged in 2020 to form the present-day GRP|WEGMAN, a leading provider of facility and energy solutions in the Midwest. The journey of GRP|WEGMAN is one of growth, diversification, and an unwavering commitment to quality, integrity, and customer satisfaction.
GRP Mechanical Company began its journey in 1952, founded by Thomas DeClue Sr. in East Alton, Illinois, as General Refrigeration and Plumbing. The company initially focused on refrigeration and plumbing services, exemplified by a service ticket from 1955 showing three hours of work for a total of $13.50. In the 1970s, Thomas DeClue Jr. joined the company as a mechanical engineer, expanding its capabilities by launching an industrial piping division and relocating its headquarters to Bethalto, IL. The company’s name was changed to GRP Mechanical Company, Inc., reflecting its evolving service offerings. In the early 2000s, Thomas DeClue III (T3) became President of GRP and guided the company through further expansion, with a focus on industrial markets, HVAC services, and design-build solutions for the education and municipal sectors.
Wegman Electric Company was founded in 1938 by Chauncy Wegman, serving commercial and industrial clients in the Alton and Wood River, IL areas. In 1987, the company became an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) entity under the leadership of Terry Buhs, who expanded the company’s electrical services for both commercial and industrial customers.
Lowry Electric Company (Lowry) has a rich 100 year history! It was founded in 1921 by Wendell Lowry. Based out of Sauget, IL, Lowry started as a residential contractor but quickly expanded into the industrial electrical sector after landing work at the Monsanto Plant in Sauget. Lowry expanded its industrial and commercial electrical capabilities in the 1930s working for clients such as Mobil Oil, Phillips Pipeline, Cerro Copper, Amax Zinc, Ober Nester Glass, Granite City Steel, Sterling Steel, and Moss Tie.
In 2018, Wegman Electric Company and Lowry Electric Company were both acquired by GRP Mechanical Company, Inc. (GRP) By 2020, both companies were merged with GRP and the combined company emerged as GRP|WEGMAN Company (the Company), a full-service mechanical and electrical firm capable of handling complex projects in various sectors. Lowry Electric Company still operates under its name because of the incredible reputation it has built in the St. Louis metropolitan area, but it is part of the GRP|WEGMAN family giving it expanded support and resources to better serve its customers.
Today, GRP|WEGMAN is led by Thomas DeClue III, CEO, Christopher Ammann, President, and Tim Bakker, COO, along with a talented team of division managers. One of the key aspects of the Company’s success lies in its autonomous divisional structure, which allows each division—ranging from HVAC service and electrical construction to renewable energy—to operate independently under the guidance of its leaders. This model fosters trust, creativity, and operational efficiency, while still aligning with the Company’s overall strategic goals.
The present-day operations of Lowry Electric Company are led by Gary Bland, Christopher Ammann, and Thomas DeClue III. Lowry has had strong growth and incredible success over the past 20 years. It serves customers in medical, manufacturing, education, distribution, retail, chemical, and municipal markets with most of these markets continuing to have strong demand for electrical services. Lowry Electric also has vast knowledge in solar installations and sees this as a major area for growth in the short and long-term. Lowry holds to its core values of honesty, transparency, safety, accuracy, quality, creativity, efficiency, and professionalism in everything it touches.
As GRP|WEGMAN continues to grow, we are focused on diversifying our services geographically and expanding into new markets. However, our measure of success is not just in top-line sales—it is the happiness and satisfaction of our customers, employees, partners, and shareholders. By leveraging our corporate culture and vast knowledge base, we aim to attract top talent and continue delivering exceptional service across the U.S.
Our history is one of transformation, resilience, and unwavering dedication to excellence. From our humble beginnings to our position as a leading facility and energy solutions provider, we remain committed to building lasting relationships and delivering results that exceed expectations.
A Culture Rooted in Faith and Integrity
At GRP|WEGMAN, our corporate culture is deeply influenced by the Christian faith of our leadership team. We believe in leading with honesty, transparency, quality, safety, and professionalism. These values are reflected in every project we undertake and in the way we treat our employees, customers, and partners. Our commitment to integrity has helped us foster long-lasting relationships and a customer-centric approach that remains at the core of our business.
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