Loeb Electric Celebrates 110 Years of Customer Success

Loeb Electric is celebrating 110 years of supporting commercial construction projects in central Ohio and businesses nationwide. Founded in 1912, Loeb Electric is one of the country’s largest independent electrical and lighting distributors and remains family-owned and operated.

“Over the last 110 years, we’ve remained focused on one priority—customer success, which is built on trust,” says third-generation President and CEO Charles Loeb, who took the reins in 1982 after starting his career at the Loeb Electric counter. “Within these walls, the word ‘trust’ means more than any other. Anyone can sell materials. We pride ourselves on delivering unmatched service and the best possible customer experience,” he adds.

In addition to trust and customer centricity, the business attributes their success to agile expertise and innovation. From material supply to project management and logistics support, Loeb’s cross-disciplined experts strive every day to be an essential part of their customers’ success. Custom solutions are developed quickly, based upon customer needs and objectives. The identified performance metrics are then reported on through reports and dashboards, provided through significant investments into technology.

“Customer centricity through trust, expertise and innovation is where we shine,” said Loeb.

For more information, visit loebelectric.com.

United Electric Supply Earns Overall Best of the Best Honors

United Electric Supply in New Castle, Delaware earned Overall Best of the Best honors from tED magazine. The prestigious award is for overall excellence in marketing and sales support.

“Essentially, we have a team philosophy,” said Becky Starkey, marketing manager at United. “We ideate together, have group goals and talk about delivering a strategic vision for today and the future.”

In addition to Starkey, the other members of the United Electric marketing team include Stephanie Nave, digital marketing and communications specialist, and Diane Bienkowski, marketing specialist. United also garnered recognition in the Brand Awareness and Digital/Social Media Campaign categories.

Other IMARK Electrical members and suppliers were recipients of other Best of the Best honors.

Summit Electric in Albuquerque, New Mexico earned Best of the Best honors in the Advertising, Brand Awareness, Digital/Social Media Campaign, Integrated Promotional Campaign, Public Relations and Selling Tool categories.

Atlantic Coast Electric Supply in Summerville, South Carolina, won in the Selling Tool category.

Granite City in Quincy, Massachusetts won in the Selling Tool and Website categories.

The following IMARK Electrical suppliers were also recognized for excellence:

• ABB Electrification (Digital/Social Media Campaign, Public Relations, Selling Tool and Event)
• Atkore (Integrated Promotional Campaign, Product Launch and Public Relations)
• Current (Brand Awareness)
• Intermatic (Public Relations, Video and Website)
• Legrand (Video)
• Leviton (Public Relations)
• Liteline Corporation, an IMARK Canada Supplier (Product Launch)

The following companies were awarded Honorable Mentions: Acuity Brands; Cerrowire; USESI-Electrical Wholesalers (CT Region) and HZ Electric Supply in Middletown, Connecticut; Encore Wire; HLI Solutions and Keystone Technologies.

For more information, visit tedmag.com.

Mars Electric Develops Management Training Program

Mars Electric’s Management and Leadership Training Program (MLTP) was created to invest in the future of the company and the next generation of young professionals. As Mars looked to develop a new program, it posed the question: “How do we attract and retain young talent?”

The MLTP was developed with the goal of offering individuals the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge to move on as supervisors and members of the management team. Exposure to multiple areas of warehouse and branch operations gives candidates the option to explore their interests. The program spans two years as participants rotate to a different department every six months. Those departments include PPS, DTS, Purchasing, E-Commerce, and Logistics.

The program offers individuals the ability to grow professionally and personally. Participants receive a supervisor in each department they rotate through. They are also responsible for updating the training binders to make the position better for the next person. Each participant is assigned one mentor who assists in creating an individual development plan, reviewing current projects, and discussing career goals and advice. The MLTP supports professional training in industry software and leadership assessments to better understand yourself and how you work with others.

One of the learning objectives of the program is managing a company event. Thanks to three program participants, the company held its first Mars Community Day on June 4. When it came to planning the company event, three program participants wanted to try something new.

“Coming from a year of service and going into Corporate America was a little bit of a difficult transition. I really wanted to bring my experience as a full-time volunteer to where I was working now,” said Mollie Zoul, one of the trainees in the program.

She presented the idea to the management team, who was thrilled with having a community day. Zoul, Ryan Viga and Corbin Armbruster received their budget and began planning. After researching multiple locations, they were able to find the Richfield Heritage Preserve and get in contact with Volunteer Coordinator Susan Czaplicki. The preserve was hosting a Community Open House the following weekend, so there were plenty of work to be done.

Mars employees arrived at the site, got a t-shirt and enjoyed breakfast together. Then the group got to work gathering supplies and learning more about the preserve. Over the course of the event, they painted the summer barn, summer barn latrine, picnic tables and a nearby structure. Some of the volunteers also removed 2,000 feet of wire fencing that needed to be taken down. Overall, Community Day was a success and the planning team received multiple comments on how well the event turned out.

There are already plans for the rest of the MLTP participants to run another community day this fall. Mars Electric is thrilled with the success of the program so far and looking forward to the continued growth of the MLTP and the young professionals involved.

For more information, visit mars-electric.com.

 

ACES Hosts Product Trade Show

Atlantic Coast Electric Supply (ACES), a locally owned and operated South Carolina company established five years ago, held its 2022 product trade show on March 21 at the Lowcountry Conference Center in Summerville, South Carolina.

Showcasing more than 50 professional displays, the event featured a product exposition, extensive food and beverage including custom ACES fresh baked cookies, more than 20 door prizes and a grand prize of a NAVITAS STORM custom golf cart valued at more than $10,000. The event was attended by more than 300 participants who experienced the latest technology and hands-on demonstrations from some of the best manufacturers in the industry.

The lucky winner of the grand prize drawing was Jason Banks, owner and CEO of Banks Electrical Contractors, located in Charlotte, North Carolina.

John Marshall, president and CEO of ACES, remarked how pleased he was that more than 300 people attended the tradeshow and that there was substantial interest in the products exhibited by more than 50 of the top manufacturers in the United States. He expressed how great it was to see Banks when he won the cart because it was so obvious this came as such a total and very appreciated surprise. He went on to say that Banks and his company are representative of the hundreds of electrical contractors and other businesses that ACES is proud to serve in the Carolinas.

For more information, visit ace-supply.com.

Members on the Move

Elliott Electric Supply Acquires Kansas City Electrical Supply

In a recent letter to customers, Kaylin Crain, president of Kansas City Electrical Supply Co. (KCES), announced that fellow IMARK Electrical member Elliott Electric Supply Inc. has purchased the assets of KCES.

Elliott Electric Supply is a family business celebrating its 50th anniversary with $1.5 billion in sales and serving more than 170 locations across the country. Crain will be staying on with Elliott Electric’s lighting department in Lenexa, Kansas.

For more information, visit elliottelectric.com.

Wholesale Electric Supply Makes Acquisition

Wholesale Electric Supply in Texarkana, Texas recently acquired Advanced Electrical Supply & Distribution LLC (formerly Seyller Electric Supply) in North Little Rock, Arkansas.

Advanced Electrical Supply & Distribution will operate as a branch of Wholesale Electric Supply. All invoices should be sent to the corporate office at ap@netwes.com.

For more information, visit netwes.com.

Electric Supply Inc. Acquires Phosco Electric Supply

Electric Supply Inc. in Tampa, Florida has acquired Phosco Electric Supply in Mulberry, Florida and its other Tampa location.

Phosco Mulberry and Phosco Bradenton will become branches of Electric Supply Inc. Until further notice, all invoices should be sent directly to Phosco Electric Supply Co. as they will continue to operate as separate pay points.

For more information, visit electricsupplyinc.com.

Dickman Supply Acquires Lyons Electrical Supply

Dickman Supply Inc. in Sidney, Ohio has acquired fellow IMARK Electrical member Lyons Electrical Supply Co. in Dayton, Ohio.

Lyons Electrical Supply will become a company of Dickman Supply Inc. and will operate as Dickman Supply Inc. dba Lyons Electrical Supply Co. in their local market.

For more information visit dickmansupply.com.

K/E Electric Hosts Ground Un-Breaking Ceremony

The ground “un-breaking” ceremony for the new K/E Electric Supply project in Mount Clemens, Michigan was held on June 16. After a short introduction by owner Rock Kuchenmeister, the Kuchenmeister family planted a red oak tree near the existing Annex Building at the 141 N Groesbeck property. The tree will represent the start of an un-breaking of the soils on this property. This event was to signify the kick-off of the PHASE II project for the site.

The PHASE I project included securing the site, cleaning up substantial industrial debris and analyzing soil densities and chemical content. PHASE I also included recovering the preexisting building, so it can be used as a construction trailer of sorts during the other construction phases planned for this property.

PHASE II includes balancing the land by relocating soils and constructing a substantial seawall on the east side of the 10-acre lake. That seawall will provide significant support for the building to be constructed in PHASE III.

PHASE III is intended to be the construction of a new warehouse and office building for K/E Electric Supply Corp., which has outgrown its existing location, directly across the street.

For more information, visit keelectricsupplycorp.com.

Summit Relocates Phoenix Service Center

Summit Electric Supply has relocated its existing Phoenix Service Center to a nearby larger facility. Customers can find the new site at 317 S. 48th Street.

“Now, we have an 80,000-square-foot warehouse with more than 3,000 square feet of showroom space,” said Adrian Montoya, Summit’s regional vice president. “When you combine that with our counter service guarantees, Phoenix area electrical pros are going to have a great experience.”

The new location features a full counter, refreshments area and will-call desk for phone and online orders. Additionally, Summit offers gear, automation and lighting teams to support customers’ commercial and industrial projects.

For more information, visit summit.com.

 

Winsupply Announces RDC Grand Opening, Now Offers Drone Delivery

Winsupply held its grand opening for the nearly 320,000-square-foot center, located just south of Oklahoma City at 9440 S I-35 Service Rd. Moore, Oklahoma, on June 8.

“Our sixth RDC will allow us to serve our local companies in the south-central part of the U.S. with one-day service,” said Eric Roush, Winsupply vice president of supply chain. “When completed the new RDC will provide primary service to about 130 local companies in Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas.”

This newest RDC continues to expand the infrastructure and support to Winsupply Local Company entrepreneurs creating up to 65 new jobs in the Oklahoma City area. The Oklahoma City RDC will join the other five Winsupply RDCs located in Dayton, Ohio; Denver, Colorado; Middletown, Connecticut; Richmond, Virginia and Jacksonville, Florida.

In other company news, Winsupply Inc. will also be offering drone delivery backed by Drone Express.

“For Winsupply to continue delivering on our philosophy of helping courageous, capable, hardworking entrepreneurs succeed, we must always innovate,” said John McKenzie, president, Winsupply Inc. “Just imagine, a contractor is missing a single item to complete a job. Instead of a delay of days or weeks, that product appears out of the sky in a matter of minutes. That’s the direction Winsupply is going. That’s true innovation that Winsupply is committed to making a reality.”

Winsupply will deliver a wide range of products weighing under five pounds from the Winsupply Distribution Center

in Miamisburg, Ohio. Drone Express uses autonomous drones for efficient local delivery while reducing the impact on the environment.

For more information, visit winsupplyinc.com.

YESCO Electrical Supply Awarded GSA Contract

YESCO Electrical Supply Inc. recently announced it is now a General Services Administration contract holder. The Multiple Award Schedule became active on March 1. The new contract serves to further the company’s reach in its core markets, as well as open opportunities in new categories.

The award will allow YESCO to expand on the products it has been providing the eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania region while increasing its reach in these areas and beyond. The contract covers 48 states, Washington D.C., Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico, and will afford local, state and federal government agencies product offerings from an industry leader in the electrical supply market.

YESCO’s team is dedicated to providing unrivaled service to these agencies, as well as working to continue to develop ease of purchase mechanisms through improved internal systems and technology, simplifying the buying process, and superior customer support.

For more information, visit yeselectric.com.

People in the News

Cora Williams Earns NAED Trailblazer Award

The National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) named Cora Williams, who recently sold Ideal Electrical Supply Corp. after more than 35 years, the 2022 Trailblazer Award recipient. Williams becomes the 14th woman to receive the Trailblazer award.

Williams started at Ideal Electrical Supply Corp. in 1985 and became the president and CEO in 1991. Using her personal credit cards because banks would not give her a loan, Williams grew the business before selling it last November to Jan Adams.

Williams was one of the first women, and one of the first black woman, to regularly attend NAED Regional Conferences back in the 1980s. She recognized the need for more diversity, and worked throughout her career to advance careers, including becoming one of the first proponents to create a Women In Industry Forum for NAED members. Williams also worked on NAED’s Board of Directors, and as an advisor to tED magazine. She and her late husband Ken became regular attendees at all NAED Regional Conferences and worked to promote the industry to minorities and women.

Williams joins Phyllis Godwin, Liz O’Grady, Karen Clouse, Nancy Goedecke, Tammy Miller, Tammy Livers, Kathy Mazzarella, Sandy Rosecrans, Desiree Grace, Kathy Jo Van, Molly Murphy, Jayne Millard and last year’s award recipient Joyce Blassingame as Trailblazer Award winners. She was honored with an award dinner at the Women In Industry Forum from June 27-29 in Bonita Springs, Florida.

For more information, visit naed.org.

Atlantic Electric Supply Promotes Mike Pierce

Atlantic Electric Supply Corp. in Washington, D.C. recently promoted Mike Pierce to the position of counter, government and switchgear sales manager. In this new role he will manage the sales of all three departments with the goal of increasing focus and coordination while also growing sales.

With more than 36 years of experience in electrical distribution, Pierce brings a wealth of knowledge and experience with him to this new position. He has been with Atlantic Electric Supply for 11 years, running switchgear sales. Prior to that, he held increasingly responsible positions in sales, supervision and management at previous distributors.

For more information, visit atlanticelectricsupply.com.

Trey Berlin Retires from Coburn Supply Co.

Senior Vice President and General Manager Trey Berlin, credited with growing Coburn’s Gulf Coast footprint, recently retired after 50 years of service to the company.

In 1972, while he was still studying at Louisiana State University, he started work at Coburn’s Baton Rouge North Street location and later assumed the role of manager. At that same time, the still-young Berlin was entrusted with overseeing the construction of the Airline branch, the first from-the-ground-up branch in Coburn’s history.

Executive Vice President Michael Maloney said, “To say that Trey has been hugely instrumental in developing the Baton Rouge footprint is an understatement. The success of our Airline branch is largely due to Trey’s vision. It’s why we asked him to expand further by overseeing the creation of several new branches, including those in the New Orleans market.”

Berlin was a founding member of Coburn’s Vendor Committee, the forerunner to the current general manager system. He will continue to serve on the company’s board of directors.

Colleagues describe him as a selfless friend to all in need, which was particularly evident after the 2016 flood when he worked to provide housing and other provisions to people affected by the disaster. Still others describe him as a mentor, willing to share his time and wisdom with those who asked for his guidance.

After so many years of service, Berlin intends to enjoy his retirement fishing and spending time with his wife Tanna, children and grandchildren.

For more information, visit coburns.com.

Gordon Electric Supply Announces Promotion

Gordon Electric Supply recently announced that Kathy Popik has been promoted to the returns and procurement coordinator position. Popik has worked as a warehouse associate since September 2021, where she was an integral part of the receiving and shipping team.

In her new position, Popik will manage inventory, making

sure that returns are correctly handled. She will work closely with purchasing managers to learn the procurement process and operations managers at each location to evaluate the disposition of returned items. Popik’s firsthand knowledge of how Gordon’s warehouses operate is a valuable insight brought to this position.

“We are very excited about Kathy’s promotion to the purchasing department,” said Kim Boswell, materials & purchasing manager at Gordon Electrical Supply, “She has the initiative and positive attitude needed to help her succeed in this position. She will be a great asset to our team.”

For more information, visit gordonelectricsupply.com.

 

Warshauer Electric Expands Team

Warshauer Electric Supply recently hired Ricardo Labrador to assume the role of vice president of business development and Greg Eisen as the new director of IT.

Charged with business development across all Warshauer locations and divisions, Labrador’s initial focus will be working closely with the company’s award-winning switchgear group and successful EV/Green Energy Department.

He comes to Warshauer from East Coast Green Power Systems, a division of East Coast Power Systems, where he was a managing partner responsible for EV, solar, wind and multiple data center projects. Prior to that, he spent 30 years with Siemens where he held various positions including north region construction sales director.

In his newly created role, Eisen will be responsible for overseeing the technical infrastructure within the organization, leading the IT staff, determining business requirements for IT systems, managing the design and implementation of IT infrastructure, eliminating security risks and overseeing IT support vendors. The current IT team of Bill Slowey and Santos Santiago will report directly to Eisen.

Eisen comes to Warshauer from Myriad360 and Safran Aerospace where he held similar positions as IT manager. He earned a bachelor’s degree in network communications from DeVry and then a master’s degree in business administration from Stevens Institute of Technology.

In other company news, Warshauer Electric Supply has been recognized for the exclusive Siemens Eagle Award, an honor presented to the top-performing regional distributors based upon growth in sales, market share and marketing events.

“As the highest achievement a distributor can receive from Siemens, Warshauer Electric Supply is pleased to accept this year’s Siemens Eagle Award. It is extremely satisfying to be distinguished in the industry’s top 5% for our sales achievement, support capabilities and overall commitment to business excellence. We are committed to building on this success as we look ahead to our continued partnership with Siemens,” said Justin Krusius, switchgear sales manager at Warshauer Electric.

Warshauer Electric is also celebrating the success of Ocean County Vocational Technical School (OCVTS) graduate Christopher Johnson. Warshauer sponsored the Most Outstanding Student Award from OCVTS, which Johnson earned by demonstrating exceptional skills in his electrical classes throughout the school year.

In honor of his performance, Johnson received a Klein Tools state-of-the-art tool bag as a part of Warshauer’s sponsorship of the award.

For more information, visit warshauer.com.

Inline Endorses NEMRA POS Standards

Inline Electric and Lighting has endorsed NEMRA’s POS/POT Minimum Reporting Standards.

With 19 locations in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee, Inline Electric is a fast-growing southeast electrical distributor. Historically the company focused on the Alabama market. However, with its recent acquisitions in the Tennessee market, Inline, knowing the importance of strong relationships with their independent electrical manufacturer representatives, sought to provide them with appropriate POS information.

Shortly after the acquisition of Williams Electric Supply, Bruce Summerville, president of Inline, contacted NEMRA to learn more about the NEMRA POS Standards.

Upon reviewing the information with his team and adopting the standards, Summerville said, “As Inline grows to service new markets in multiple states, we feel that our participation in the NEMRA point of sale program will help ensure that the proper sales credit goes to the representative responsible for helping establish the demand for products in the local marketplace. The proper reflection of sales credit to the proper source will improve Inline’s relationships with representatives in the markets that we both serve.”

Christy Frame, operations manager, said, “We are just in the initial stages of working with vendors on the POS report. So far, implementing the standard in our system has been smooth...we expect to have to work out issues here and there but don’t expect those issues to be difficult.”

Jim Johnson, president of NEMRA, said, “On behalf of the NEMRA independent manufacturer representatives in the southeast, we appreciate Inline’s endorsement. Their support further highlights that POS is not solely a national chain issue. Growing independents recognize the importance of supporting their local reps, with whom they have a partnership. Standards make the process easier, reduce operational costs and get information to manufacturers and reps faster and more accurately. Every distributor that does business with manufacturers in multiple territories can benefit from the NEMRA POS standards and safeguard their customer information if they so desire. Thank you to Bruce for recognizing the opportunity.”

For more information on NEMRA’s POS initiative, visit nemra.org/point-of-sale-initiative. For more information about Inline Electric and Lighting, visit inlineelectric.com.