Atlantic Coast Electric Supply Educates Customers, Recognizes Suppliers

Last month five-year-old Atlantic Coast Electric Supply held its first major customer training event combined with a trade show. At the same time, it recognized key suppliers. The company had over 325 customers turnout for the event and more than 50 suppliers were present. The customer event focused on educating customers about the 2020 NEC (National Electrical Code) and was led by the renown Mike Holt.

Educating Customers

Atlantic Coast Electric Supply (ACES) partnered with the Charleston Electrical Contractors Association (CECA), to host a 2020 NFPA NEC electric code seminar highlighting Mike Holt. Nearly 250 participants attended the 8 hour seminar and earned continuing education credit hours in multiple jurisdictions.

John Marshall, President, and CEO of ACES opened the event announcing that this was the first time Mike Holt had appeared for this type of event in South Carolina. Mike was also available for additional questions at the tradeshow that followed the event.

The event was held at the Lowcountry Conference Center in Summerville South Carolina. Participants enjoyed a breakfast buffet, a luncheon reception, and course materials including a personal copy of Mike’s Illustrated Guide to the Change to The National Electrical Code.

When asked why Atlantic Coast Electric Supply decided to conduct such an event, Jack Smith, HR and IT Manager for ACES responded, “Education is a major priority in our industry today. Technology is advancing at a pace never experienced before in our industry. We at ACES believe that we have a responsibility to offer educational opportunities that equip our customers to have the valuable knowledge that enables them to adapt and meet current market requirements. This is a significant part of our strategy both for our associates and customers moving forward.”

Highlighting Suppliers & Products

At the same time, ACES held its 2022 product trade show on March 21^st. Showcasing over 50 manufacturer displays, a featured product exposition, extensive food and beverage including custom ACES fresh baked cookies, over 20 door prizes, and a grand prize of a NAVITAS STORM custom Golf Cart valued at over $10,000. The event was attended by over 300 contractors and electricians who experienced the latest technology and hands-on demonstrations from some of the best manufacturers in the electrical 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 Younginer, Vice President, and General Manager stated, “Nothing of this level has been done in the Carolinas in 10 years, I would guess. We hit it out of the park. Our marketing team was phenomenal and for the customers and vendors who were there, this was a huge “watershed moment” that put ACES at the forefront of their mind.”

Recognizing Supplier Support

At the same event, ACES recognized its key suppliers at its first annual circle of distinction awards presentation on March 22nd. The purpose of the event was to recognize nearly 50 selected manufacturers and manufacturer representative agencies for outstanding performance in support of ACES in 2021. Each participant received a commemorative Circle award representing their membership in the 2021 selection. There were eight Best in Class categories awarded. Charlie Reid, Purchasing Manager for ACES noted that two of the categories were awarded to multiple recipients. He went on to say that the nomination process was extensive and to select the recipients was a challenging process given that so many performed exceptionally for the company in 2021.

Manufacturer Best in Class Award Recipients for 2021

• Legrand – Sales
• NSi – Supply Chain Management
• Siemens – Training and Development
• iTool – Best New Products
• Legrand – Sales

Agency Best in Class Award Recipients for 2021

• Charlotte Wire and Cable – Sales
• Carter York Agency – Sales
• Coresential – Training and Development
• United Electrical Sales – Training and Development
• Spectrum Hulett Group – Marketing

There were three major awards for outstanding overall performance.

• Legrand – 2021 Manufacturer of the Year
• Bill Wade & Associates – 2021 Agency of the Year
• Mike Reed (ABB) – Professional of the Year.

John Marshall, president, and CEO of ACES commented that he appreciated each supplier and their contribution to the company’s extraordinary growth over the past five years and that recognizing these suppliers was his pleasure. This will become an annual event for ACES.

Takeaway

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are few companies in the electrical distribution business that are less than 10 years old and have had significant growth. Atlantic Coast Electric Supply is one of them. Coupled with South Carolina’s low cost of living which is attracting new development – both residential and industrial – it is a confluence that is positioning the company with significant growth opportunities. The company is now integrating marketing into its growth model to help take it to the next level. This is another case where marketing can be a business differentiator – getting the company’s message out to customers, reaching more customers than individual salespeople can touch, bringing value-added to customers and driving value to suppliers.

Ken Cain, a member of Channel Marketing Group’s Executive in Residence program, is supporting Atlantic Coast Electric Supply.