JM Lapp, a heating and plumbing company, is located one mile east of Bird-in-Hand at 919 Old Philadelphia Pike. Owner Matt Lapp began his business in 2006 when he decided to branch out on his own after working eight years for another plumbing company.
Marking its tenth year in business in 2016, JM Lapp has experienced significant growth and today has 16 full-time employees and a fleet of 13 trucks. They service homebuilders, light commercial projects, and residential customers within a one hour radius of their shop with plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and water treatment.
Because Matt loves to run, he has taken part in most of the Bird-in-Hand Half Marathons. When the Fire Company asked him about providing bottled water from his company for participants as they finished the course and for spectators as they cheered under the hot sun, Matt readily agreed. His generosity obviously helps the Fire Company take care of the runners. On the other hand, the 4,000 water bottles with his name and logo help get the word out about his company. It is a win/win for everyone.
Matt says, “We are part of a great community. I like to donate water to events that are community based like the Bird-in-Hand Half Marathon and the Intercourse Heritage Days. If we can impact our communities for good, it will have a ripple effect. Good communities will make a great state, good states will make a great nation, good nations will make a great world.”
Every year several of the staff members at JM Lapp support the Fire Company by running in the Half Marathon. Another connection is that a Bird-in-Hand firefighter is a JM Lapp employee. Matthew Fisher, son of Daniel Fisher and grandson of Dan Fisher, works in inventory and shipping and is in charge of the retail store that stocks products to supply area farmers with their plumbing and water needs.
The goals for JM Lapp are top quality plumbing and heating work and ncommon customer service. But beyond that, Matt’s company wants to invest in the local community and they value the trusted relationship they have with the Bird-in-Hand Fire Company. In return, the Fire Company likes to support local businesses, so they have chosen JM Lapp to install an additional heating system for the basement of the Fire Hall.