Every weekday in December, tED magazine is counting down the Top 20 Stories of 2014. Below, the #16 story of 2014, originally posted on September 9, 2014.
FARGO, N.D.—Border States Electric (BSE), a 100 percent employee-owned company, announced they have reached an agreement to purchase Western Extralite, an electrical wholesale supply leader in the Midwest with over 250 employees and 19 locations in Kansas and Missouri. Western Extralite will join Border States on October 1, 2014.
“Three years ago, we started a journey to transition Western Extralite to an employee-owned company. Joining forces with Border States accelerates this effort while ensuring our customers will continue to be served with excellence,” said John Isenberg, Vice President Government Sales. “Border States shares our values and mission and will ensure a bright future for both our customers and the employees of Western Extralite.”
“I am excited that John and Tom Isenberg chose us as the succession plan for their very successful and well-respected family-owned business. For 75 years, Western Extralite has been adding value to everything they do—from their attention to detail to their focus on the customer needs which completely aligns with our service excellence culture,” said Tammy Miller, BSE CEO. “Western Extralite employees will become employee-owners. We welcome them to our employee-owned company and the Border States family.”
Both John and Tom Isenberg will continue to work at Western Extralite. The name will change slightly to Western Extralite, a division of Border States. BSE also announced their south central regional office will relocate from Lubbock, Texas, to Kansas City, Missouri.
“Like our company, Borders States has a passion for excellence and a focus on the details,” said Tom Isenberg, President, Western Extralite. “Our customers will continue to get to work with our great people and get the high service levels they have come to expect.”
BSE supplies products and services to construction, industrial and utility customers. The 100 percent employee-owned company is rated the eighth largest electrical distributor in the U.S. by Electrical Wholesaling magazine. BSE will have more than 1,900 employees and 82 branches in 16 states after Western Extralite joins BSE. Corporate headquarters are located in Fargo.
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