PETERSBURG, W.Va. — City Electric Supply (CES) has officially opened a new location in Petersburg, West Virginia. The electrical wholesale distributor spent almost a year getting this store prepped and ready to open with the help of a long-time customer. CES District Manager Scotty Pratt was searching the Petersburg area in hopes of establishing a new company location. His customer and friends for more than 20 years at D&T Builders suggested the warehouse, where the new CES branch is now located.
“Our contracting friends with D&T Builders are the ones that told us about this location being available. They did the renovation for us as well and fit us in their busy schedule to help us get this location open,” said Pratt.
D&T Builders Co-Owner Marc Dolly was on site nearly every day, making sure everything went smoothly for the buildout process. Co-Owner Homer Tinney has worked with Pratt for more than two decades in the industry and informed Pratt about the warehouse being for sale.
“They inherited an empty shell of a building, so it was an entire renovation job. I’ve known Scotty for years. When he said he was looking for a place to open a CES branch in Petersburg, I knew this building was available,” said Homer. “We added offices, a breakroom, and a bathroom, then added the division wall for the warehouse. Everything fell into place really well, and we are glad we could help them get this location ready to open.”
“Anything we needed, they did what they needed to get it done and made sure they had people available to help us,” said Branch Manager Brian Hoban. “We appreciate everything that D&T Builders did for us.”
CES Petersburg W.Va. will serve new customers in the market and help existing branches and customers as the second location in West Virginia. Servicing one big loop in West Virginia, the CES Cumberland branch in Maryland is the next closest location to Petersburg in West Virginia, which has been servicing a big loop in the bordering state. This loop includes areas of Keyser, Petersburg, Moorefield, and Romney.
“Day to day, CES Cumberland was putting 160 miles on the delivery van servicing a giant loop of areas in West Virginia,” said Pratt. “This location will help fill a gap for our customers, and CES can meet new ones in the area as well.”
Industry relationships didn’t just help renovate the building. Long-time electrical contractor Brian Hoban has known Pratt for years through the electrical industry. When Brian decided he wanted a change of pace from the work he was doing, Pratt hired Hoban to be the branch manager of the Petersburg location, where he is a native.
“I’ve known Scotty forever through the industry, and he approached me when I decided to close my business,” said Hoban. “I’ve always enjoyed doing business with CES, and this seemed like a good next step. It’s nice being on this side of it, and I’m enjoying this new change of pace.”
Hoban has more than three decades of industry experience, and his knowledge will be valuable at this new location.
“When contractors come in, I know what they need and what they’re talking about,” said Hoban. “The team also has years of electrical experience, so we are excited to serve Petersburg and the surrounding areas.”
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