Sonepar Consolidates Four Midwest Operations Under Echo Brand
Sonepar has announced a strategic initiative to unify its operations across the Midwest under a new, robust platform. By consolidating Echo Electric, Springfield Electric, Richards Electric, Pepco, and Holt, the companies will operate as Echo Electric, a single unified brand. This new entity will represent over $1.2 billion in sales and employ 1,300 associates, covering an expansive 500,000-square-mile region spanning Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Nebraska, and southern South Dakota. Echo Electric will become Sonepar’s sixth U.S. operation to exceed $1 billion in annual sales, reinforcing the company’s position as a leader in the electrical distribution industry.
This transformation will bring together the strengths of these five established companies, creating a powerful platform that will enhance customer service and provide valuable opportunities for Sonepar associates. Rob Taylor, President of Sonepar Americas, emphasized the significance of this move:
“Our existing operations in the Midwest will now be combined to leverage a collective 400 years of experience and expertise to better serve our customers and suppliers. By integrating our distribution networks and resources, Echo Electric will be able to offer expanded inventory, specialized expertise, and enhanced service capabilities. The most exciting part of this move is the wealth of resources it will provide to our associates, enabling them to grow professionally and reach their career aspirations.”
Leading this new, unified organization will be Chris Scarbrough, who served as the president of Springfield Electric for the past decade. Under his leadership, Echo Electric is set to build on the legacies of these five companies, continuing their traditions of excellence while forging a unified vision for the future.
Chris Scarbrough, President of Echo Electric, shared his excitement for the new direction:
“An ‘echo’ is a lasting impression, and that’s exactly what we intend to leave with this new brand. Echo Electric will symbolize a top-tier customer experience across the Midwest, carrying forward a long history of excellence that our associates have worked hard to build. We’re bringing together the legacies of these five companies to create one unified vision, one culture, one strategy, and one brand. I’m eager to see our associates reach new heights together, and I’m confident that the future of Echo will be marked by continued success. This move solidifies Sonepar as the distributor of choice in the Midwest, and we’re excited to continue serving our customers with excellence.”
About Echo Electric
Echo Electric is a full-line electrical distributor that provides a broad range of electrical products, equipment, and services to electrical contractors, industrial and utility customers, and institutions. The company offers specialized solutions that include panel and switchboard assembly, control panel design and assembly, cable management services, digital solutions, utility substation packages, and industrial solutions.
Echo Electric is the result of the consolidation of several successful Midwest distributors with a combined 400 years of industry experience. With over 60 locations and a workforce of 1,300 associates, Echo Electric operates across a vast area, covering 500,000 square miles in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Nebraska, and southern South Dakota.
This consolidation marks an exciting new chapter for Sonepar, as Echo Electric will be able to provide customers with greater access to specialized expertise, expanded inventory, and superior service capabilities. By combining resources and aligning operations under one brand, Echo Electric is poised to drive future growth while remaining focused on delivering the best possible experience for its customers and associates.
Echo Electric’s ability to offer innovative solutions tailored to the needs of its customers will continue to set the company apart in the competitive electrical distribution market. With an expanded footprint and a unified approach, the company is well-positioned to lead the industry in the years to come.
As Echo Electric moves forward, the company will remain dedicated to building lasting relationships with customers, suppliers, and associates, ensuring that the legacy of these five companies continues to thrive under the Echo brand. With a strong foundation of experience and a clear vision for the future, Echo Electric is set to be a leading force in the electrical distribution industry across the Midwest.
