K/E Electric Supply Celebrates 60th Anniversary, Hires General Manager
K/E Electric Supply celebrated its 60th anniversary as a company, proudly doing business and servicing the residents of Michigan on September 24. To recognize this key milestone, K/E Electric hosted an extravagant party with for more than 400 family, friends and business partners.
The party was held in downtown Detroit at The Icon: Atrium Riverfront Garden.
K/E Electric shared a brief presentation regarding the company’s 60-year history and how it came to be a significant part of the community. K/E Electric also took the time to recognize employees and vendors that they so proudly worked with through the years.
The gala featured a spectacular light show display featuring the riverfront and Detroit skyline and a performance by the electric-pop orchestra group Nu Classica.
K/E Electric Supply looks forward to another 60 years of business providing quality and reliable commercial and industrial electrical products for the state of Michigan.
In more company news, K/E Electric Supply has appointed Ryan Kuchenmeister to the position of general manager, which is guided by an 11-person Steering Committee, meeting quarterly at Team-K/E. The committee includes department heads and shareholders.
Kuchenmeister comes to the position with more than 20 years of sales experience at the company. He first became a shareholder in Team-K/E more than 15 years ago. He has been a member of the company’s Steering Committee since 2012. He is the grandson of Wayne Kuchenmeister, the founder of K/E Electric Supply (as Kuchenmeister Electric Co.) in 1962.
For more information, visit keelectricsupplycorp.com.
Summit Electric Supply Names CFO and CHRO
Ed Gerber, president and CEO of Summit Electric Supply, recently announced that Darin Patrizi and Micah Carlton have joined Summit as chief financial officer and chief human resource officer respectively.
Reporting directly to Gerber, Patrizi will be responsible for the strategic financial leadership of Summit and all aspects of the finance and accounting organization. Prior to joining Summit, he served as chief financial officer at Potandon Produce, a leading distributor of fresh produce based in Dallas, Texas. Before that, he spent 24 years with Pepsico, providing financial leadership to Frito Lay and Pepsi business units across the retail and foodservice channels. Earlier in his career, Patrizi was chief financial officer of Business Jet Solutions, a large fractional aircraft ownership joint venture between American Airlines and Bombardier. He holds an MBA from University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business, a BBA in Finance from Lamar University and served on the Board of Financial Executive International’s Dallas Chapter for more than 25 years. He will office out of Summit’s Irving, Texas Service Center.
Also reporting to Gerber, Carlton will be responsible for the strategic leadership of human resources, talent development and culture. He brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in human resources with a successful track record of increasing responsibility. Prior to joining Summit, he spent the last 10 years with TT Electronics, a global manufacturer of electronics and components to the aerospace, health care and automotive industries. As vice president of human resources for TT Electronics, he led the human resource function for two of its three global business units. He holds a BBA in human resource management from Baylor University and will work out of Summit’s Irving, Texas Service Center.
“We are thrilled to have both Darin and Micah join our team. Together they bring a unique set of skills, knowledge and experience and a proven track record that will strengthen and complement our leadership team.” said Gerber. “They know what success looks like and what it takes to get there. There is no doubt that Darin and Micah will be major contributors, helping Summit scale to more than double our current size.”
For more information, visit summit.com.
United Electric Supply Names VP, IT and Digital Transformation
United Electric Supply has added Earl Wade to the executive leadership team as vice president, IT and digital transformation.
Wade brings more than 20 years of information technology experience and a variety of expertise including implementation of Information Services (IS) policies and procedures, improvement of infrastructure and data capacity, facilitating business transformation and ensuring business continuity.
“In a relatively short amount of time, Earl has made significant contributions to our organization,” said George Vorwick, president, CEO, United Electric Supply. “We are pleased he chose to join our executive team as we accelerate our investment in strategic digital initiatives.”
For more information, visit unitedelectric.com.
Loeb Electric Launches Enhanced E-Commerce Experience
Loeb Electric has released its new e-commerce site. This new experience has a modern look and features several updates, including enhanced product data, improved search, optimized mobile viewing and expanded “My Account” capabilities.
“From the start, our focus has been on the customer and their experience, whether they are here to purchase or are simply looking for further product information,” said Doug Beh, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Loeb Electric. “And that experience starts with ensuring our product data is correct and thorough.”
Through Loeb Electric’s partnership with a product content solution provider, they were able to clean up and automate updates for thousands of products across dozens of manufacturers—information their customers expect to have at their fingertips.
In addition, with more than half of Loeb’s customers engaging with their content on a mobile device, there was a concentration on a fully responsive design, allowing for a seamless mobile experience. “Buying habits and expectations are changing rapidly, and Loeb is poised to take on a larger role within the eCommerce commercial construction industry,” said Beh.
For more information, visit shop.loebelectric.com.
United Electric Supply Recognized as Top Workplace
United Electric Supply has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2022 honor by The Baltimore Sun. This is the company’s second time receiving the recognition this year, the first award was from The Delaware News Journal in August. United has also received Top Workplaces recognition in 2007, 2012, 2020 and 2021 from The Delaware News Journal and the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The recognition is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey. The anonymous survey uniquely measures 15 drivers of engaged cultures that are critical to the success of any organization including alignment, execution, and connection, just to name a few.
“Winning Top Workplaces recognition is always a source of pride for us, so winning twice in one year for two different states in our territory is a tremendous honor,” said Lindsey Cropper, vice president of human resources, United Electric Supply. “At a time when hiring new talent can be challenging, it’s very rewarding to see employee-owners advocating for our company.”
“We encourage our employee-owners to have a voice and share their feedback,” said George Vorwick, president & CEO, United Electric Supply. “We incorporate what we’ve learned into our ongoing improvement plans. It’s evident that our team takes pride in our core values and culture.”
As a six-time recipient of a Top Workplaces Award, United Electric Supply takes pride in being the supplier of choice for electrical products, services and solutions with a commitment to independent employee ownership. United Electric has a history of promoting teamwork and individual responsibility while encouraging lifelong learning to develop talent from within and provide their employee-owners a rewarding career path.
For more information, visit unitedelectric.com.
Crescent Electric acquires Lowe Electric Supply
Crescent Electric Supply also announced it has closed on a transaction to acquire Georgia-based Lowe Electric Supply Co. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
This deal allows both companies to provide customers with an increased breadth of services across their served industrial and construction business segments. The combined entity also enables customers to benefit from more products, services and solutions through an enhanced geographic footprint. Lowe serves customers out of 13 locations across Georgia and South Carolina. Prior to this deal, Crescent operated out of more than 140 branches in 26 states, however, it did not have any branches or employees in Georgia or South Carolina. Combined, the company will operate out of more than 150 branches located in 28 states nationwide.
“Lowe is well known and highly regarded throughout Georgia and South Carolina, and we welcome them to Team Crescent,” said Scott Teerlinck, president and CEO of Crescent. “Their strong track record of exceptional customer service provides a solid base to accelerate future growth for both Crescent and Lowe by expanding our market presence and service offerings for new and existing customers.”
Lowe will continue to operate under its founder-led management team and be supported by the Crescent platform.
“We recognize how customer expectations and buying behaviors are shifting,” said Teerlinck. “We are embracing these changes as opportunities for Crescent to make strategic investments to better meet, and even exceed, these new and changing expectations. It’s an exciting time to be a member of Team Crescent, and we welcome our new teammates from Lowe to join our effort and bring their ideas and best practices to help us deliver even stronger business outcomes.”
For more information, visit crescentelectric.com.
Warshauer Electric Supply Acquires Broadway Electric Supply
Warshauer Electric Supply has acquired Broadway in Woodbury to expand its footprint in southwest New Jersey.
Founded in 1954 by Martin Warshauer, Warshauer Electric is a family-owned business currently run by Martin’s son, Jim. With more than 65 years of experience as an electrical wholesaler, Warshauer Electric is one of the largest independently owned electrical distributors in the country. As a full-service supply house, Warshauer boasts more in-house services under one roof than any other electrical wholesaler in the state. Additionally, its Warshauer Tech and Trade schools are the industry leaders in education; training licensed electrical contractors, aspiring electricians and interior designers through our various certifications and accreditations with the NJ State Board of Examiners, ASID-NJ and NJ Department of Labor.
“For more than 65 years, Warshauer has seen tremendous growth; usually outpacing industry averages,” said Jim Warshauer, president, Warshauer Electric Supply. “We have always been proud that our development has been organic and not through acquisition. However, in today’s fluctuating economic climate coupled with the state of the electrical wholesaling landscape, this acquisition ensures future growth for Warshauer Electric Supply. Broadway, a family-owned business noted for excellent customer service across many different vertical markets, is the perfect addition. We are really excited about working with the entire Broadway Electric Supply team.”
Broadway Electric Supply has been a fixture in the South Jersey area for the past 50 years. As a staple for southern New Jersey’s electrical needs, its sales expertise, quality service and family values exemplify and perfectly align with the Warshauer philosophy.
For more information, visit warshauer.com.
Walters Wholesale to Host Mike Holt Seminar and Trade Show
Walters Wholesale Electric Co. in Brea, California is partnering with Mike Holt to host a 2020 National Electrical Code seminar. Holt, a nationally recognized expert on the NEC, will lead the in-person seminar on Thursday, February 9 and Friday, February 10 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST at the Long Beach Marriott in Long Beach, California. Both days will cover the same topic and will offer Certified Electrical Units to those requesting credit hours.
Following both seminars will be a free Trade Show, open to everyone, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. featuring many of the electrical industry’s top brands.
Additionally, for one night only, on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, Holt will be hosting a Free Grounding and Bonding Seminar from 6-7:30 p.m. open to anyone who registers at: https://www.mikeholt.com/productitem.php?id=2587.
For more information, visit walterswholesaleelectric.com.
ACES Helps Hurricane Victims, Hosts ABB #PowerBetter Roadshow
Atlantic Coast Electric Supply (ACES), headquartered in Summerville, South Carolina, helped the victims of Hurricane Ian after it made landfall as a category 4 hurricane on September 28. The company decided that during the month of October it would match employee contributions to the Florida Disaster Fund by two times total.
John Marshall, president and CEO of ACES said, “Thank you to all who contributed. I’m sure it is appreciated and will be put to good use in the recovery efforts. I am proud of all of you!”
In addition to the monetary donation, ACES employee DJ McDonald from the Columbia, South Carolina branch, along with his eldest daughter and 14 others from Lexington, South Carolina, donated their time and talent by driving down to the Venice, Florida area to help a couple with their home’s cleanup.
The couple’s homeowner’s insurance did not cover all of the damage incurred and had no means of relocating anywhere except in their damaged home, which was full of moldy sheet rock and holes in the roof. The couple could not have been more appreciative of the group’s efforts. ACES Marketing Manager Hillary Doherty said, “How excellent it is to see such great efforts made by our team to help those in need.”
In other company news, ACES hosted the ABB #PowerBetter Roadshow on November 14. The event was held at the company’s Columbia, South Carolina branch. The 53-foot tractor trailer traveled across the United States to provide an engaging, hands-on experience for customers, ACES—Columbia being its only stop in South Carolina.
The trade show on wheels attracted more than 50 customers who were able to learn about the latest digital technologies and industry solutions while enjoying lunch, games and an opportunity to win raffle prizes. ACES sales representative Ryan Hicks said, “Seeing all our customers eating and laughing together was my favorite part. The opportunity to have ABB here for our customers was not wasted on ACES; we made sure that it was centered around our customers having a good time while also learning about new products from ABB in 2023 and beyond.”
For more information, visit atlanticcoastelectricsupply.com.
Crescent Electric Supply Recognizes Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Crescent Electric Supply Co. recently announced it helped raise awareness for breast cancer by offering pink buckets to customers who made a purchase at a participating branch in October 2022.
The company partnered with 10 key suppliers for this promotion: L.H. Dottie, Kidde, 3M, Klein Tools, Burndy, Leviton, Ideal, Hubbell Wiring Device-Kellems, Intermatic and ABB.
“This month holds special meaning for many of us who have been impacted, directly or indirectly by breast cancer,” said Scott Teerlinck, president and CEO of Crescent. “We are very appreciative of these 10 supplier partners that are coming together to raise awareness and to commemorate those in our lives who have battled, and continue to battle, this horrific disease.
While the promotion only lasted a month, the company hopes that the buckets are used by customers throughout the year to show support.
Additionally, Crescent made a $10,000 donation to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) in honor of its employees and their families and friends impacted by cancer. BCRF’s mission is to prevent and cure breast cancer by advancing the world’s most promising research.
For more information, visit www.crescentelectric.com
Chairman of the Board for Walters–USESI Announces Retirement
Bill Durkee, chairman of the board for Walters Wholesale Electric—USESI, has announced his retirement at the end of this year.
Durkee has been at Walters for 30 years, working his way up to vice president of operations and then president for 24 years. His replacement as president, Steve Valcourt, has been in place since January 2022.
Durkee would like to thank the employees, manufacturing partners and customers who have made this the best time of his career. “I have worked in government, mining and manufacturing, but I have never experienced a career as satisfying as the electrical business. It has been a joy every single day. The people have made it a pure pleasure. And our company has a great future ahead.”
Bill and his wife Nancy will remain in southern California.
For more information, visit walterswholesale.com.
Madison Electric Expands Warehouse
Entering its 109th year in business, Madison Electric Co., a wholesale electrical distributor headquartered in Warren, Michigan, has increased its warehouse space to nearly 135,000 square feet at its main warehouse, after building a new 60,000-square-foot warehouse addition.
The new warehouse facility allows Madison Electric to enhance inventory management and continue to ensure products are stored properly and strategically.
Madison Electric Company is family-owned and has six stocking branch locations throughout Metro Detroit.
For more information, visit madisonelectric.com.
Mars Electric Launches New Website
Mars Electric launched its new website on December 5. Since the launch, hundreds of contractors have visited the site, checked inventory and ordered products.
“The new site is the next evolution of Mars Electric. When we designed the site, we wanted to make sure the same great services we offer today are available through the site,” said Michael Doris, president of Mars Electric. “We know some customers want to do business with us online. We’re now there with the best offering in the industry.”
“Ease of doing business is a core principle here. The website is just another avenue to make that happen,” said Michael Mammone, vice president of sales at Mars Electric.
The site includes many new features to reduce the time customers spend researching, shopping for and buying materials. New features include:
- Real-time inventory
- 10,000 stocked products
- Robust product search
- Downloadable technical drawings and spec sheets
- Saved product lists
- Live support
- Delivery options
Visitors to the new site can stay informed with the latest Mars Electric and industry news through the monthly newsletter. The newsletter contains technical product usage tips, featured products and promotions, and event and training information.
For more information, visit marselectric.com.