Publisher’s note: Krapf Coaches will be honored as Greater West Chester Chamber’s Business of the Year at the organization’s annual Banquet on February 1st. Sponsor the event or purchase tickets here.

By Dorothy Kennedy

What do you say about a company that was started in 1942 and is still going, growing, diversifying and providing exemplary service? What do say about a family-owned company that now includes members of the 3^rd and 4^th generation? What do you say about a company whose co-founder was the second woman in Pennsylvania to earn a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and drive a school bus?

The answer is simple: you just say ‘Business of the Year’.

For its ongoing, outstanding achievement in the business community, the Greater West Chester and Chester County communities and beyond, Mark Yoder, president of the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce (GWCC), proudly announced Krapf Coaches as the Chamber’s 2017 Business of the Year. The award will be presented during the GWCCC Annual Banquet on Thurs., Feb. 1, 2018 at The Desmond Hotel, Malvern.

“I’m not sure if it’s persistence, dedication, determination, know-how, daring, or a combination of all those traits,” said Yoder. “But whatever it is, members of the Krapf Family have it in their genes. Krapf Coaches is truly a success story. We are fortunate this remarkable enterprise is a member of the Chamber and our community and honored to recognize Krapf Coaches as our Business of the Year for 2017.”

According to the company’s website (krapfscoaches.com), members of what is now the Downingtown Area School District decided in 1942 they needed someone to drive students to the high school. They approached George Krapf, Jr., owner of the local gas station, a skilled mechanic and a leader of the community. George stripped ‘two dump trucks down to their frames and driver’s seats. He and a companion drove the “vehicles” to Mitchell, IN, where bus bodies were applied to the frames, and then drove them back to Pennsylvania.’ Thus, George and his wife, Eleanor ‘Grammie’ Krapf, co-founded George Krapf, Jr. & Sons, Inc.

Now headquartered in West Goshen under the leadership of five members of the third generation, the original enterprise continues to grow and evolve. In an effort to bring a common brand to our many different business units, Gary Krapf, President of Krapf Transportation, explained the new corporate structure as follows:

• The Krapf Group includes Krapf Transportation and Krapf School Bus, the latter entity having multiple divisions many of which operate in different states.
• Krapf Transportation includes Krapf Coaches, Krapf Transit and Rover Community Transportation.

When asked how he felt about the company being named Business of the Year, Gary said he was honored to be in the presence of the other award winners adding that Krapf Coaches ‘wouldn’t want to be anywhere else’.

“Receiving the award is an honor for us,” he said. “Although 75 years ago we didn’t start our business in West Chester, many of us call West Chester home since opening a facility in West Goshen in 1990. We enjoy many long lasting relationships in the community including the West Chester Area School District, the West Chester University and the Chester County Hospital. Our relationship with the Chamber has been an important component of many of these partnerships and continues to help facilitate new opportunities.”

Special thanks to First Priority Bank, sponsor of the Business of the Year award. Join us at the GWCC Annual Banquet to celebrate Krapf Coaches. Visit GreaterWestChester.com to purchase tickets.