Electrical distributors are among the list of companies that contractors and builders work with closely. Electrical distributors provide all of the electrical supplies that contractors require for completing their job. Hardware and home improvement stores use electrical distributors to stock their retail inventory.

Choosing the right electrical distributor for your building company or retail business is very important. The better electrical products you receive, the happier you will make your client. In addition, the better pricing you receive from the electrical distributor, the more profit you make from the job. Before you select an electrical distributor for your company, learn the electrical distributors basics below:

1. Electrical distributors offer products and service for contractors to install electrical items.

2. Contractors rely on electric distributors to offer up-to-date news about electrical products.

3. Home improvement stores rely on electrical distributors for their retail electrical inventory.

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Electrical distributors can provide contractors with supplies for building jobs

Electrical distributors specialize in electrical products. They offer much more than lamps, lighting and bulbs. Contractors rely on electrical distributors for electrical supplies such as wire devices, cable and cord, motor controls, cable fittings, conduit, tools and distribution equipment. Electrical distributors offer advice on the best products to serve your needs. They are familiar with many different types of electrical products and help you make educated decisions for your building project.

I recommend: The National Association of Electrical Distributors offers contractors the Life Upgrades program to increase profits. Read how Rexel, the largest electrical distributor in the world, makes it easy for contractors to order.

Distributors with commercial electrical supplies provide large inventory on big jobs

Commercial projects often require many different products than residential jobs, and a commercial electrical distributor specializes in these products. Contractors purchase lighting fixtures, bulbs and supplies in bulk for hospitals, hotels, malls, schools and more. Commercial electrical equipment distributors offer contractors a large inventory for big commercial jobs.

I recommend: Check out the Electrical Distributor Magazine. Learn what an electrical distributor such as Gray Bar has to offer and promises customers.

Electrical distributors help determine stock at home improvement stores

Hardware and home improvement retail store purchase inventory from electrical product distributors. In many cases, an electrical distributor representative visits the store and offers suggestions on the types of products that the store should keep in stock. Some stores prefer for the electrical distributor representative to keep track of, order and stock the shelves. Others keep track of their own electrical inventory and contact the electrical distributor representative when more products are needed.

I recommend: View the list of people that benefit from an electrical distributor such as Summit. View how electrical distributors work on sales in Electrical Wholesaling Magazine.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When examining electrical distributors basics to see which distributor is right for your company's industrial electrical supplies, pay close attention to customer service. Select distributors that guarantee their products.

Electrical supply distributors provide electrical products and related supplies to commercial contractors and retail locations such as hardware stores. These electric distributors carry a full range of items that include everything from basic circuit breakers and fuses to large switchboards, transformers and low- or high-voltage switchgears. Electrical distributors offer the advantage of being one stop shops where many electrical supplies may be purchased at the same time.

A distributor will help ensure you have everything you need in stock and will assist you in planning ahead with a list of supplies that must be ordered on a regular basis. Deal with them when you need to:

1. Purchase electrical equipment for a contracting business;

2. Stock industrial electrical supplies for the customers of your retail establishment;

3. Make bulk purchases at a reduced rate from electrical wholesale distributors;

4. Have a reliable third party act as your connection to major brand name makers of the equipment you use and sell on a regular basis.

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Connect with electrical product distributors that carry everything you need for your business

Your business can order electrical supplies from many different distributors, but it is important to find the source that best suits your particular needs. By trying out a few different companies you will be able to compare the results from each transaction and determine which one you prefer to work with on a long-term basis.

I recommend: Deal with electrical distributors that handle a wide variety of products such as MSC Industrial Direct or Gordon Electric Supply.

Find a commercial electrical distributor

Contractors need a good source of commercial electrical supplies from a reliable company. It is easy to find a distributor that will supply your contracting or handyman business with everything it needs to meet the needs of your customers.

I recommend: Partner with commercial electrical suppliers such as Baynes Electric Supply, Butler Supply or Dominion Electric Supply.

Receive discounts from wholesale electrical distributors

Electrical wholesale distributors provide electrical equipment at a discount. This usually involves purchasing items in bulk and, with some companies, the more products you buy, the lower the price per product will be. Talk to several electrical wholesalers to find the one with the best rate for your business.

I recommend: Work with electric wholesalers like Hein Electric Supply or Shealy Electrical Wholesalers. Purchase circuit breakers in bulk at wholesale prices from BestCircuitBreakers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Establish a long-term contract with a wholesale electrical supplier to make sure you always receive the best price.
• •  Work with electrical product distributors that stock the brands your customers request and can fill special orders. Your ability to fill special orders will go a long way toward building customer loyalty and will result in repeat business..

Take advantage of the many training and education opportunities available for electrical distributors to remain successful and grow even stronger. Electrical wholesalers, electrical product distributors and those in other channels of distribution will make more sales when they know more about the products they sell and more about electrical principles, components and equipment used by their customers.

As a critical link between electrical product manufacturers and end users of the products, electrical distributors must possess a wide range of knowledge and skills allowing them to provide technical assistance, trouble shooting and other valuable services to customers. Keep in mind the four primary types of education and training:

1. Continuing education and certificate programs for electrical distributors.

2. Product and industry training presented by the manufacturers for electrical product distributors.

3. Degrees for those in the industrial or commercial electrical distributor industry.

4. Trade shows and conferences for electrical wholesale distributors and retail distributors.

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Learn about different sources for continuing education and certification for electrical distributors

Electrical equipment distributors, electrical supply distributors and others within the electrical distribution industry can find ample opportunities for continuing education credits, certification programs and professional development.

I recommend: Make the National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) the first stop in your search for electrical distributors education and training. This not-for-profit trade organization places a tremendous emphasis on education and training, as evidenced by its creation of the NAED Education & Research Foundation and the NAED Learning Center (NLC). While checking out the NAED's offerings, consider registering for the Certified Sales Professional Program and/or earning continuing education units (CEUs) towards a Professional Certificate in Industrial Distribution from Purdue University by participating in the NAED's University of Industrial Distribution (UID). Visit the website of The Gerry Thomas Co., a manufacturers' representative firm dedicated to the electrical power distribution market. As an industrial or commercial electrical distributor, contact the company to learn more about the training programs that can benefit you and your business. From Electrical Construction & Maintenance (EC&M) magazine's newsletter E-Train, you can take advantage of programs and workshops dealing with electrical equipment and electric power distribution.

Go to electrical equipment and supply manufacturers for training/education on their products

Many manufacturers of industrial or commercial electrical supplies hold training and education sessions to make electric distributors and retail or commercial electrical suppliers more knowledgeable about their products.

I recommend: Learn more about GE's commercial and industrial electrical supplies through its different programs designed to educate electrical distributors. GE offers several levels of its course for commercial/industrial electric distributors in addition to many other courses/programs dealing with lighting fundamentals/concepts and sales. Lutron, a long-time manufacturer of lighting controls, offers online learning modules for retail and wholesale electrical distributors that educate users on the basics of Lutron's products. Electric wholesalers and retailers can choose from modules focusing on different aspects of dimming, colors, merchandising and wallboxes.

Build credibility as an industrial-commercial electrical distributor with a degree

A solid background in electrical engineering will better help you understand the products you buy and sell, and you'll develop a loyal customer base that relies on you and your expertise.

I recommend: Start your search for an Associate Degree, Bachelor of Science Degree or Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline by checking out the schools listed in World Wide Learn and Degrees Online.

Attend tradeshows targeted to an industrial or commercial electrical distributor

Tradeshows and conferences provide an exciting and informal way to learn about the latest trends and products and develop important networking contacts.

I recommend: Besides conducting training programs, the Industrial Training University serves as an excellent source for upcoming tradeshows. For another source of tradeshow/conference information for the electrical distribution industry, review The Electrical Distributor Magazine (TED) event calendar.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check the accreditation of any school before investing in an online degree or certificate program beneficial to electrical distributors.

Whether you're involved in the retail or wholesale end of the electrical distribution industry, you've really got to understand all aspects of electrical distribution to help ensure your success. Not only must you understand different pieces of equipment, tools and supplies, but you've also got to be familiar with key terms specific to the industry to achieve your highest level of success.

This guide gets you started with six terms relating to electrical distributor resources that can help you get ahead: National Association of Electrical Distributors, TED, Energy Star Partnership, IDEA, NFPA and Anti-Counterfeit Products Initiative.

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NAED

The National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED), founded in 1908, is the electrical distribution industry's professional trade association. It offers members networking opportunities, training, research, meetings, conferences and its own trade magazine.

I recommend: Learn more about how the NAED got started at the NAED website. Bookmark the website and click on other links at your convenience to read more about different aspects and benefits of the 501(c)6 not-for-profit trade organization.

TED

TED stands for The Electrical Distributor, and it's the name of the online and print magazine published by the NAED. It's a primary information source for electrical distributors on current issues, markets and trends, sales, best practices, events, products and more.

I recommend: Click on various links to explore the many benefits gained by reading TED.

Energy Star Partnership

With regard to electrical distributors, the Energy Star Partnership refers to the NAED's partnering with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy in the Energy Star program. The program promotes government-backed labeling of high-quality, energy-saving products that help contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. NAED member distributors can gain tangible benefits from linking their own businesses to the Energy Star brand.

I recommend: Read about the partnership between Energy Star and NAED at Supply House Times.

IDEA

IDEA is a company that's dedicated to ecommerce innovations. Its mission is to drive down costs throughout the electrical supply chain by helping electrical distributors become more efficient and effective in data sharing through replacement of manual business transactions with electronic data sharing. Additionally, IDEA serves as a standard-setting body for data.

I recommend: Check out the IDEA website here.

NFPA

Founded in 1896, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is the organization that develops, publishes and distributes in excess of 300 codes and standards that help minimize fire risks. Important to electrical distributors, NFPA standards and codes affect most all buildings, electrical processes, designs and services.

I recommend: Refer frequently to the NFPA website to keep up with the latest NFPA codes and standards that affect the products you sell.

Anti-Counterfeit Products Initiative

The Anti-Counterfeit Products Initiative is a relatively new program that kicked off in late 2008 with a mission to eliminate the sale and spread of counterfeit electrical products in the U.S. This $130 billion industry includes nearly all types of electrical products, including lighting, wiring, switches and pirated Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. labels. More than 90% of today's counterfeit electric products come from China.

I recommend: Read about the anti-counterfeit products initiative at Counterfeits Can Kill.