EVERY WEEKDAY FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR, TED MAGAZINE IS COUNTING DOWN THE TOP 20 STORIES OF 2023. BELOW, THE #6 MOST-VIEWED STORY OF THE YEAR, ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 1, 2023.

Sonepar Enters Into Agreement to Acquire Billows Electric Supply

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Sonepar announced that its US subsidiary, Cooper Electric, has entered into an agreement to acquire Billows Electric Supply.

A family-owned business since 1950, Billows Electric offers a full line of electrical products and services to its customers. Operating in the Philadelphia, South Jersey, and Wilmington metropolitan markets, Billows Electric joins Sonepar with 19 branch locations and more than 285 associates.

“The addition of Billows Electric Supply will increase our coverage and density within those important markets in which it operates and provide us with a strong platform for growth,” said Rob Taylor, President of Sonepar North America. “This combination is especially exciting as Billows will be able to leverage Sonepar’s investment in Cooper Electric’s state-of-the-art automated distribution center in providing best-in-class services for our customers throughout Billows’ market.”

David Cooper, President of Cooper Electric, said of the acquisition: “Billows has an outstanding reputation in the marketplace, and we’re thrilled their experienced associates will be joining our network.”

“As a 73-year running, family-owned business, it was very important that we chose a partner that appreciates and supports what we’ve built and can enhance opportunities for the growth of our business and associates. We had many choices in this process, and Sonepar thoroughly impressed us with their capabilities and resources,” commented Jeff Billow, current owner and CEO of Billows Electric. “We want to thank our talented staff who drove our success with their expertise, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit as well as our dedicated customers and manufacturers who remained true partners throughout the decades.”

The acquisition, subject to competition authority approval, is scheduled to close in June.