KANTA ELECTRIC CORPORATION
SETTING THE STANDARD FOR ELECTRIC CONTRACTING
Produced by Heidi Therrien & Written by Eric Gundberg
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There are a lot of electrical contractors that call New York City home, but Kanta Electric Corporation (KEC) in particular is leading the way with its expertise. KEC specializes in electric-related systems, power distribution systems, fire alarm installation, CCTV, sound and data and industrial electrical contracting. Because of this, KEC is the company that the city’s corporate, government, commercial and institutional clients turn to when they need an expert contractor to handle those projects. The company was awarded Trade Contractor of 2011 by the Regional Alliance of Small Contractors.
The company was founded in 1991 by Prakash Kapadia, president of KEC. The company now employs roughly 20 employees at its headquarters in Woodside, N.Y. Kapadia estimates that the company grossed around $20 million in sales in 2010. The company – which is celebrating its 20-year anniversary in 2011 – has established itself as the New York metropolitan region’s preeminent electrical contractor with its reputation for quality workmanship, on-time project completion record and its industry leading safety standards.
Kapadia is proud to note that KEC was the electrical contractor selected for one of New York City’s most exciting projects. “We built NYC’s first solar and wind farm project at the renowned Brooklyn Navy Yard.” The new 89,000-square foot building features energy-saving solar and wind-generated power as part of a renewable energy pilot program.
Kanta Electric Helps Build NYC’s First Solar and Wind Farm
The Perry Avenue building utilizes photovoltaic (PV) panels to capture solar energy. PV technology converts the sun’s energy into electricity. The energy captured by the PV panels serves the general electric pool of the building, working in tandem with the grid to reduce the building’s use of fossil fuels for its energy usage. The wind turbines that KEC designed and installed also contribute to the building’s base electrical supply and are tied into the main electrical switchgear.
The building’s owners decided to try for a LEED Silver rating and incorporated green building features. These features included recycled rain water in the toilets, natural ventilation systems, reflective roofing and pavement to reduce surface temperatures, recycled building materials, high-efficiency lighting fixtures and special accommodation for bicyclists and low-emission vehicles.
KEC’s crews have stayed busy throughout the economic downturn. Kapadia is proud to note that the company has been working on several varied projects which demonstrate the company’s abilities. The company is currently working on a three-year, $4 million project with the NY Department of Sanitation at one of its facilities. The company will designbuild and install the fire alarm systems, security systems and install new energy-efficient lighting fixtures.
Also in the pipeline are contracts for the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) and work for the Department of Environmental Protection at its Oakwood Beach Wastewater Treatment facility in Staten Island, N.Y. Here, KEC is working on mediumvoltage power distribution and its crews will be installing a new 5 kV switchgear.
In the Bronx, KEC is working on a $15.5 million court house renovation project that is re-routing power from the street into the 10-story building. The company is also replacing all of the building’s lighting fixtures and designing and installing a new fire alarm system as well.
Notable past projects include handling automation and control wiring for the ball field lighting system at Yankee Stadium, as well as numerous contracts with the NYC School Construction Authority. KEC also installed the first wind and solar farm in New York City’s history.
Feedback from Kanta Electric Clients
Feedback from its previous clients is an essential component of business to Kapadia, as the company receives most of its projects from repeat and referral clients. Peter Calvacca, Director of Engineering Flushzing Council on Culture and the Arts, was quoted as saying this about his experience with KEC’s team of professionals: “I heartily recommend Kanta Electric for their ability to cope with the everyday problems, being considerate with the client and perform the work in the most expeditious manner.”
Safety is also taken very seriously at KEC. Kapadia says that all of the management team has a minimum of 30 hours of OSHA Safety Certification and all of the field employees have a minimum of 10 hours of OSHA Safety Certification. Kapadia proudly asserts that KEC has gone well beyond what is considered ‘normal’ industry standards.
The company implemented in-house procedures that promote both a healthy and safe environment for all of its field personnel, engineers, estimators and the general public as a whole. Kapadia says that while most companies talk about safety, they’re really just worried that their workers compensation rate will go up because of an accident. However at KEC, everyone is genuinely concerned about the health and safety of all employees. The company has an unparalleled accident-free record since its founding 20 years ago.
“Kanta’s training has become second nature to all those involved that no matter where they work or whatever environment they are in, they take safety seriously and watch out for others. We at Kanta are proud of many achievements but this is one of our proudest,” reveals Kapadia.
Technical know-how, a wide variety of services and a roster of successful projects have made KEC New York City’s leading electrical contractor, but it is Prakash Kapadia’s concern for his employees and the company’s unbelievable safety record that renders Kanta Electric Corporation one of the best in the city.
