2009 L.W. Shemilt Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient

Vladimir and Chedo Sobot
Left to right:  Dean of Engineering David Wilkinson, Vladimir Sobot (B. Eng. Civil ’80) (left) and Chedo Sobot (B. Eng. Civil & Management ’85) and Dr. Les Shemilt.

Vladimir Sobot (B. Eng. Civil ’80)

Chedo Sobot (B. Eng. Civil & Management ’85)

Vladimir and Chedo Sobot have distinguished themselves throughout their career as outstanding, customer-focused, hands-on owners of a Hamilton-based engineering and manufacturing firm called Sobotec.

Emigrating from Yugoslavia in their formative years in 1971, Vlad and Chedo maintain their cultural roots by supporting the Hamilton Serbian community through church, and sports, mainly soccer and basketball.

Vladimir holds a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from McMaster. Chedo holds a McMaster Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and Management.

They have given both freely of their time and financially to the Faculty of Engineering. As part of a consortium of donors they support a Chair in Effective Design of Structures, and serve on the advisory council for the Centre.

They are proud supporters of students in Engineering by hiring McMaster students for coop terms and as well as graduates of the program. Value added to the student experience, the Sobots have mentored students through capstone projects, providing real world engineering problems to be solved in the classroom.

Vladimir and his wife Dragica who is also a McMaster alumnae, have 3 boys and Chedo and his wife Senka have three children. Sobotec, co-owned by Vladimir and Chedo, is a engineering and manufacturing firm specializing in building exteriors. The company serves commercial, institutional and educational markets across North America. Vladimir introduced the aluminum composite material used in building cladding in the early 1980’s while working for Butler Manufacturing. Since its inception in 1988, Sobotec has developed a number of unique and proprietary attachment systems and manufacturing processes for the use of aluminum composite materials in building cladding.

The award winning product has won design competitions and recognition for its “high tech look” and “futuristic lines”.