ABB’s search for an independent manufacturer representative to serve New England has led the company to C.C. Pierce.

ABB Partners with CC Pierce

According to ABB’s press release:

“ABB partners with C.C. Pierce to serve New England electrical market

• ABB Installation Products establishes C.C. Pierce as its commercial and industrial sales agent in New England
• Provides local representation for electrical products across a broad range of applications

ABB Installation Products begins its new representation of electrical solutions with C.C. Pierce to deliver extensive industry knowledge and proven customer service across New England.

To support growing demand across the region, electrical customers can partner with C.C. Pierce as a local resource for sales, service and support. Key program benefits include:

• A primary point of contact in New England for the ABB Installation Products commercial and industrial portfolio of solutions (formerly Thomas & Betts) now available through C.C. Pierce in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.
• Over a century of trusted customer service, industry knowledge and technical expertise from C.C. Pierce’s sales and service team.
• Comprehensive product line representation of ABB’s Adaptaflex® non-metallic conduit systems, Blackburn® mechanical connectors, Carlon® non-metallic boxes and fittings, Catamount® cable ties, Color-Keyed® compression connectors, Deltec® heavy-duty cable straps, Harnessflex® specialty conduit systems, Homac® tools, Kindorf® metal framing, Ocal® PVC-coated conduit and fittings, PMA® conduit and fittings, Red Dot® rigid fittings, Russellstoll® pin & sleeve power connectors, Sta-Kon® terminals, Steel City® metallic boxes, Superstrut® metal framing, T&B Liquidtight Systems® fittings, Star Teck® fittings, T&B® cord and cable fittings, T&B® rigid fittings, Ty-Duct® wiring duct and Ty-Rap® cable ties.

“C.C. Pierce aligns with our local-for-local strategy, bringing 103 years of experience that complements ABB Installation Products’ century-long legacy of pioneering solutions for communities worldwide. In the evolving energy landscape of the Northeast, our customers face new challenges daily,” said Chris Marlow, Sales Leader for the U.S. and Latin America Region, ABB Installation Products. “Partnering with C.C. Pierce, a dedicated agency with strong regional ties, helps build our support locally, bringing our essential electrical products closer to customers and meeting the needs of our distribution partners across New England.”

Founded in 1922, C.C. Pierce is an owner-driven manufacturers’ representative agency with extensive market insight. As a family-owned business, the company features an award-winning sales team with significant experience in key construction, OEM and MRO electrification sectors, focusing on infrastructure, renewable energy, data centers, food and beverage and transportation.

Building on its long history of pioneering in electrification, ABB Installation Products creates solutions to safely connect and protect electrical systems that power businesses, cities, homes and transportation. With more than 200,000 products under 40 premium brand names, ABB Installation Products, formerly Thomas & Betts, solutions are found wherever electricity is used around the world and in space.”

A Changing New England Marketplace

The opportunity to earn representation of a major line like ABB occurs rarely. The opportunity stemmed from marketplace change back in July when Yusen merged with MacPherson Group and subsequently decided, primarily due to conflicts, to resign its representation of ABB.

According to marketplace sources, ABB spoke with a number of manufacturer representatives in the marketplace, seeking the “right” fit.

Reportedly a couple of firms visited with ABB personnel outside the market, culminating with visits in Memphis, as they interviewed for the line.

The news about ABB’s selection started “leaking” into the market about 10 days ago with supplier notifications, which inevitably reach distributors, and others.

While the press release does not mention representation in upstate / western NY, sources have said that C.C. Pierce will be representing ABB in that market also, with Lachut losing the line. No notice has been shared; however, this may be due to contractual considerations (30 days’ notice.)

At the same time, C.C. Pierce has resigned the NSI line. NSI is determining its market representation options.

Other lines in the market have reportedly also made moves, with some others reportedly considering moves as they seek to determine how to best positions themselves to take share.

Part of the challenge is that ABB represents a broad product offering, competing with other major manufacturers such as Atkore, Eaton, nVent, Southwire and then, for other elements of its line, other strong brands. Many had conflicts, which necessitated companies strategically making representation decisions.

Another unknown is who will represent ABB Utility, which was part of MacPherson.

Congratulations to Brooks Chase and his team at C.C. Pierce. Adding ABB to the line card adds “panache” and perhaps offers new opportunities to expand its line card given ABB’s industrial offering (although New England isn’t a strong industrial market.) And congratulations to ABB with their selection.